One Word

 It's Christmas.  

It feels as if just yesterday it was summer vacation and I was reading how everyone was decorating their classrooms and getting ready for the new school year.  

In a blink, one semester is already history.  

Unbelievable.

Two years ago I learned about "One Word".  

It's a word that serves as personal encouragement or direction for the new year.

 In 2014 I chose the word "position". Positioning ourselves by preparing and planning can be the very thing that can make the "right time and the right place" happen.  (Still a work in progress.)

In 2015 I chose the word "release". Family members were moving away, co-workers were moving

on, and I found that my "normal" was now going to look differently.  I had a choice to make.  I could

hold on to what was and become disappointed or I could "let go" of what was and embrace the "new normal".  Hence, my word "release".     (Another work in progress.)  

This year my inspiration came from a Christmas carol, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".

My "One Word" for 2016:

There are so many things we have no control over when it comes to our jobs.  I don't need to list them, we all know what they are.  These things can potentially rob us of the very passion that prompted us to choose education as a life journey.  

"Re-joice" is a reminder to hold onto joy.     

When circumstances and situations threaten to steal it away, it is our job to "re-joice" and get it back.   No one can rejoice for us, it's a practice we must do for ourselves.  And, if we neglect to "re-joy" and replenish our joy bank, our passion, energies and willingness can fizzle out.  And, in my experience, without joy, it is impossible to be a fabulous teacher. So, it is with great joy that I choose this word for my 2016 encouragement.  

and 

What's your "One Word" for 2016?