Writing Your Own Book in 2015

The new year always generates loads of posts, blogs, and books addressing matters such as fresh starts, blank slates, and new beginnings. It is inevitable given our desire for improvement and growth, combined with the turning over of a new leaf that the transition into a new year offers. Thus, this blogpost wades into the familiar waters that many swim in at this time of the year.

A glance at the headlines reveals such wisdom as: "What You Need to Know for 2015", "3 Ways to Make the Most of Your New Year's Resolutions", and others that seem to boil down conventional wisdom into easy bite-size portions.

I started the blog to chronicle my school's involvement with the IB, my own role in the change project that involved bringing about the MYP to the intermediate division, and a general commitment to international connectedness. I am fully committed to each of these three priorities as they continue to be essential parts of my professional life and I firmly believe in their importance.

The truth is that I am not sure which direction to take this blog. Yet, I am committed to writing about interesting things as they relate to education. Writing itself is a key component to the learning process.

Over the holidays I enjoyed many a leisurely meal with family and friends. Perhaps too many, but that's another matter, and a bit of holiday excess is usually excused at this time of year. At one such meal it was remarked by a family friend that the start of a new year offers the chance to daily write your own chapter to a book. I certainly agreed, and thought "why not make it a classic?"

Now, I'm not sure that I am fully committed to the notion of writing a chapter daily, although there are some who are (courtesy of @AlisonLoat :  https://medium.com/@mattangriffel/how-to-develop-a-daily-writing-habit-475732c2b026 ). Still, the idea of regular writing intrigues me and obviously plays a part in blogging. I also know that writing needs to be personal, relevant, and authentic. The connections to the real world need to be genuine. That's always the challenge for any writer. I am no different, and neither are my students.

So, the lengthening of days leads to a lightening of the spirit. The new year offers the hope of a fresh start. Although the new year officially started a couple of days ago, the academic term for 2015 starts tomorrow. I think the caption below (source unknown) captures the sentiment quite well. It's certainly the message that I will be taking to my school on Monday morning. Here's to a great 2015 and the writing of many classics.