Learning from Reflection

"We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience." ~John Dewey 

I chose Reflect as my #oneword for this past year.  This is the time of the year that most of us reflect, or look back over our year in order to determine our level of success in reaching our goals or resolutions.  My intent with this #oneword was to reflect on my personal, professional, and family life through my daily writing. I tracked my writing consistency in my bullet journal along with several other daily goals. Most of the time my writing consisted of the events of my day and included a sentence about "Good Things" and a sentence about "Room for Improvement". I found that just including those two elements made my writing more reflective.  I do feel that I could have taken my reflection deeper if I had circled back and reread my writing at the end of each week or month. 

What have I gained through my #oneword2023? I have gained a daily writing habit through consistency that I would not have been motivated to do otherwise. What will I change in the coming year? I want to be able to translate that consistency in writing in my journal to writing with more frequency in my blog.

Reflection opens the door to change in habits, mindset, and actions. What door did you open this past year?

My #OneWord2023 Reflect

 

At the end of summer I purchased my first vehicle in my name alone. This is my first vehicle to have a back-up camera and digital display. It is necessary to have a view of what is behind you in order to back the vehicle into a position where you can drive in the direction you want to go. But having learned to drive a long time ago, I still turn to look behind me and use my side and rear view mirrors for all angles of view. I don't know if I'll ever get used to having or using that back-up camera, but I'm glad I have the option.

"Reflection. Looking back so that the view looking forward is even clearer." ~Unknown

Looking back is something most of us do at the end of a year or the beginning of the next. We look back at our past resolutions and goals to determine our level of success in reaching them.  We reflect on the exceptional experiences we have had as well as the not so exceptional.  

One of my favorite quotes is "We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience." ~John Dewey.  I have decided that I need to reflect on my experiences more consistently than I have in the past. REFLECT will be my #oneword2023. 

Reflect: verb, 1. (of a surface or body) throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it; (of a mirror or shiny surface) show an image of; embody, or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way. 2. think deeply or carefully about. 3. (of an action or situation) bring credit or discredit to the relevant parties.

I hope to reflect through my daily writing; to reflect on my day, my teaching, my relationships with students and other educators. Looking back and thinking deeply about them in order to continue in the direction that I want to go as an educator. I also want to reflect on my home, my family, and personal friendships. Looking back in order to redirect and balance my personal life. 

And lastly I want to reflect, or represent in a faithful or appropriate way, the light of Christ in me. I want others to be able to recognize the difference He has made, and continues to make in my life on a daily basis. 

What is your #oneword ?