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12 Things in 12 Months

keavy_snow“If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year older when you do” ~ Warren Miller
When I was younger, my father took us to see the new Warren Miller film every fall, just before ski season started. They were the most awesome movies I’d ever seen. Back then, I don’t think anyone was shooting the type of real action, quasi-documentary of crazy people jumping off of snow covered cliffs for fun types of movies. In fact, they weren’t even shown in a movie theater. They were shown at the Opera House and we wore our best ski bum clothes. I swear, once, Mr. Miller was actually there. Even though I haven’t seen one of his films in 15 years, I can still instantly recognize his voice and immediately be transported to the days when I was sure that “ski bum” was the best career choice out there. One of key themes throughout all of his movies was the idea that life should be lived to it’s fullest right now. Just do it and do it now. Sure it may be crazy to jump off of a cliff covered with snow or spending the day going up and down a mountain for a fundraiser, but it’s moving forward and it’s fun!
Instead of have yet another list of New Year’s Resolutions, this year I’m going to try something different. Each month I’ll be focusing one thing each month. If it becomes a habit, all the better. If it’s not working for me, well… it’s only one month. You can do anything for a month, right? Especially if it’s February.
This month’s goal is planning.  Teachers love planning. I love planning. But the reality of life often leaves me pushing the planning aside for yet another marathon grading session, RtI data crunching, or picking up the baby’s blocks for the one millionth time. Lack of good planning also means that I often feel like my teaching doesn’t flow or I end up doing things like finishing a book just before Christmas break and having to do a culminating project in January. Which I would never do. Hurrrphhh.
I’m doing it and doing it now.
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