I am beautiful and broken.
I wonder what the world really sees.
I hear clocks ticking.
I see a future laid before me.
I want to be heard.
I am beautiful and broken.
I pretend to be whole.
I feel inadequate at times.
I touch the ragged scars.
I worry about never being satisfied.
I cry over lost innocence.
I am beautiful and broken.
I understand that I have worth.
I say let others hear your voice.
I dream of one day becoming a mother.
I try to let others see my fragility.
I hope it is appreciated.
I am beautiful and broken.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Say What You Need To Say
My American Lit students are studying Transcendentalism, and while I can't take credit for creating this assignment, it was a good one. When the students (11th graders) walked into class, they were asked to respond the following quick write:
"So, I would say, you've got a part. What's your part? Who you are. You are who, who you are." -Pearl Jam
In your own words, what does this mean? How would you answer the question: Who are you? Explain. What is another song that also has transcendental ideas? Explain.
My fellow teacher and I decided to complete this, too, and share it with them. I sat down at a student desk for 5 minutes and wrote. Here is what I said.
We each are put on this earth for a reason and a part to play. No one else has the exact unique qualities we do, so we owe to the world to bring it out and show it.
I am a seeker, a helper, an aunt, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend. I am a survivor and an overcomer. I am honest and good and an example of healthy brokenness put back together and stronger because of it.
The song that popped into my head as I was writing this was Say by John Mayer. The lyrics that jumped out to me are "Even if your hands are shaking and your faith is broken, even as the eyes are closing. Do it with a heart wide open. Say what you need to say."
The world needs to hear my voice.
"So, I would say, you've got a part. What's your part? Who you are. You are who, who you are." -Pearl Jam
In your own words, what does this mean? How would you answer the question: Who are you? Explain. What is another song that also has transcendental ideas? Explain.
My fellow teacher and I decided to complete this, too, and share it with them. I sat down at a student desk for 5 minutes and wrote. Here is what I said.
We each are put on this earth for a reason and a part to play. No one else has the exact unique qualities we do, so we owe to the world to bring it out and show it.
I am a seeker, a helper, an aunt, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend. I am a survivor and an overcomer. I am honest and good and an example of healthy brokenness put back together and stronger because of it.
The song that popped into my head as I was writing this was Say by John Mayer. The lyrics that jumped out to me are "Even if your hands are shaking and your faith is broken, even as the eyes are closing. Do it with a heart wide open. Say what you need to say."
The world needs to hear my voice.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010
So we asked our 9th graders to do a freewrite on the following topic: Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010. Basically, we asked them to identify what they would and would not miss about 2009 and what they are looking forward to in 2010. In an effort to model the assignment, I decided to complete this assignment with them.
Here is the result in the exact, stream-of-consciousness way in which it was written:
I will not miss my mom and dad worrying about money. I will not miss Andy. I will not miss being fat and eating unhealthy. I will not miss running, but I want to incorporate it a little into 2010. I used to enjoy it, but it became a chore for me. I want to say hello to the newer, confident me. I want to say goodbye to the painful pains of the past. Goodbye to my self-doubt and insecurity - well I guess I will always have some level of doubt, but I won't "live there." I will say goodbye to my 30's and hello to my 40's. WOW-what a big year for me! It's huge actually. I have the power to do and be anything and ALL that I want to be. I can/WILL have a healthy body that I am proud of. I will be confident to show it off. I will explore it as an adult. I will forever stop limiting myself and my goals. I will go for the big goal. I will be in a bikini!!! Wow! That's scary to say that. How vulnerable I will be - But I will be strong and fit and capable. I will eat to live and not live to eat. I will allow myself to enjoy food and not use it. Not use it to hide from the world. I will not secret it away. I will eat it and be clean on the inside. I will treat my body with the respect it deserves - with the utmost respect. I will pose for photographs and be proud of what I see. I will look and feel healthy. I will take care of my mind and guard my time. I will be willing to share myself only with those who are trustworthy. I will commit to keep attending CoDA with renewed vigor. I will love myself and enjoy my own company. I will risk being known and be proud to stand on who I am - stand on that platform and be proud of what I accomplished. I will renew myself regularly with new challenges. I will trust my body and my trainer. I will be wise with how I spend my money. I will no longer stuff myself with greasy, unhealthy, non-nutritional value meals. I deserve better. I will live purer and cleaner. My health and skin and body will reflect the love and respect I have for it. I will rediscover the me who has been dying to be trusted to come out - to emerge. I will love her. I will care for her. I will help her . I will respect her. I will keep her safe in HEALTHY ways that are productive and conducive to sharing my life with the world and those closest to me. I am proud of who I have become. I am proud of who I am becoming. I will trust and love my kids (students), and I will let them see the love and value I have in them - that I see in them. My worth will show their worth. I will be proud of the me that I present and show and share with the world. No more secret Lauren.
Here is the result in the exact, stream-of-consciousness way in which it was written:
I will not miss my mom and dad worrying about money. I will not miss Andy. I will not miss being fat and eating unhealthy. I will not miss running, but I want to incorporate it a little into 2010. I used to enjoy it, but it became a chore for me. I want to say hello to the newer, confident me. I want to say goodbye to the painful pains of the past. Goodbye to my self-doubt and insecurity - well I guess I will always have some level of doubt, but I won't "live there." I will say goodbye to my 30's and hello to my 40's. WOW-what a big year for me! It's huge actually. I have the power to do and be anything and ALL that I want to be. I can/WILL have a healthy body that I am proud of. I will be confident to show it off. I will explore it as an adult. I will forever stop limiting myself and my goals. I will go for the big goal. I will be in a bikini!!! Wow! That's scary to say that. How vulnerable I will be - But I will be strong and fit and capable. I will eat to live and not live to eat. I will allow myself to enjoy food and not use it. Not use it to hide from the world. I will not secret it away. I will eat it and be clean on the inside. I will treat my body with the respect it deserves - with the utmost respect. I will pose for photographs and be proud of what I see. I will look and feel healthy. I will take care of my mind and guard my time. I will be willing to share myself only with those who are trustworthy. I will commit to keep attending CoDA with renewed vigor. I will love myself and enjoy my own company. I will risk being known and be proud to stand on who I am - stand on that platform and be proud of what I accomplished. I will renew myself regularly with new challenges. I will trust my body and my trainer. I will be wise with how I spend my money. I will no longer stuff myself with greasy, unhealthy, non-nutritional value meals. I deserve better. I will live purer and cleaner. My health and skin and body will reflect the love and respect I have for it. I will rediscover the me who has been dying to be trusted to come out - to emerge. I will love her. I will care for her. I will help her . I will respect her. I will keep her safe in HEALTHY ways that are productive and conducive to sharing my life with the world and those closest to me. I am proud of who I have become. I am proud of who I am becoming. I will trust and love my kids (students), and I will let them see the love and value I have in them - that I see in them. My worth will show their worth. I will be proud of the me that I present and show and share with the world. No more secret Lauren.
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