My #OneWord2012: LOVE

A few nights ago, my husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate the New Year.  We began discussing his resolutions for 2012.  As we discussed all of his wonderful resolutions, he paused mid-way through our conversation and simply said, "...so, 'Love more' - what does that mean?"   

He was referring to my tweet from the night before: 

Love more “@keyetv: Happy New Year Austin, Let me hear some of those resolutions... Losing weight does not count.”

— Jennielle Strother (@HigherEdGirl) January 1, 2012

Skip to today, and this tweet showed up in my #EMchat feed: 

I need to join the fun and think of my #oneword2012 #sachat #emchat

— Eric Felix (@EriqFelix) January 4, 2012

I have been seeing the hash #OneWord2012 show up in my feed, and following the great conversations regarding one another's #OneWord2012.  Some are funny, some are serious, some are obvious, and some aren't.  

I decided I wanted to choose my #OneWord2012.  

I immediately dismissed my original resolution, "love more", merely because it had two words, and I didn't think it was deep enough.  But after hours of brainstorming - I keep coming back to the "Love More" tweet I posted a few days ago.  

So, (drum roll please), my #OneWord2012 is..... "Love". 

The beauty of having a blog is that I don't have to be limited to 140 characters, and can fully explain my #OneWord2012 to anyone who is interested, just as I explained to my husband a few nights ago. 

Love... my family. 

I want to spend more time savoring each moment I have with them.  I want to be present mentally and emotionally when I am with them - and really, really pay attention.  I don't want to forget one glorious minute I have with all of them.  

Love... my job. 

It might be impossible for me to love my job more than I do.  If you know me, you know how blessed I feel to work at Seminary of the Southwest.  You would also know that I feel so lucky to be in a profession that not only excites me daily, but challenges me in ways that I appreciate.  

But that's not what I am talking about.  I am talking about loving the parts that I don't necessarily find exciting.  I want to slow down, roll up my sleeves, and tackle each task with excitement, inspiration and motivation.  

Love... myself. 

I am constantly trying to be and do better.  I analyze and over-analyze.  I beat myself up over the smallest of mistakes or miscommunications.  As a result, it changes who I am.  If you know me, really know me, you know that I prefer to be upbeat and positive.  I prefer to smile - actually, I prefer to belly laugh.  I prefer to hug over handshake.  I prefer to see the good in people, over the faults.  I prefer a high-five over a pat on the back.  That's just who I am.   

Love... my body. 

I am an athlete.  My body knows it, I just need to remind myself!  So, I'm making working out a priority.  I'm committing to run a half marathon this year.  Running a half scares me, but it also excites me!

So, join in on the #OneWord2012 fun!  

¡Ciao!

Jennielle

Drawing Inspiration from Strangers

When I was coaching, I was inspired all the time.  Yes, being a coach fed my insatiable competitiveness, and being around athletes kept me youthful.  However, my coaching days gave me the opportunity to empower young girls, and I'm most proud of seeing what amazing women they have become.    

I moved from one male dominated profession to another (coaching to administration), and I am comfortable in that type of environment.  However, if there's one thing I have learned, it is that I draw my motivation and inspiration from other women in leadership.  There are several women on my campus that inspire me daily (@NancySB2), and I really should tell them that more often.  I wouldn't be able to survive without them.  There are other times though, when I need more than that.  

A week ago, I thought that by starting a blog, I might be able to spark an idea or start a conversation that could get my creative juices flowing just enough to feed my lack of inspiration.  Then, I stumbled upon this tweet

RT @tweetinglavoz: Are you an #salatino pro looking for a network for female empowerment? Check out #wlsalt #sachat http://ow.ly/1ufyGs

I clicked the link, and I recognized a name in the article, Teri (@tbump).  Just a day prior, Teri sent me a DM with the most uplifting message about my blog.  As I continued to read the article, Teri is quoted quite extensively about how and why she created the hashtag, #WLsalt.  Here are just a few words:

"I want to use the hashtag to send tweets that support, lift, encourage, promote women leaders. And, to invite others who do the same to use it as well building a network of women focused on consciously choosing to push women forward. I watch the twitter stream and women Student Affairs professionals are quick to devalue their work/skills/smarts." (@tbump via Student Affairs Women Lead)

#WLsalt tweets are for: Women as Leaders who Support, Affirm, Lift and Transform.  

In just one short week, my inspiration cup is overflowing.  Thank you Teri for reaching out and encouraging me, even though you have never met me.  I will pay it forward.  

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

@HigherEdGirl