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Welcome to my new world!

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Being a writer means that you're always volunteering for something. You volunteer because you believe--mistakenly--that no one can write a better letter, or press release, or newsletter, or sermon, than you.

Yes, I wrote a sermon. Pastor G. was going on vacation, and I agreed to fill in so the church would not have to pay a supply pastor. Before he left, the pastor gave me material to develop my thoughts and focus my writing. I read through it very carefully, and then I wrote exactly what I wanted. My sermon touted the inescapability of death, taxes, and change. I talked about the need for a steady force in our lives, because each day brought something new.

I'm remembering that sermon today as I embark on a new step--teaching First-Year Writing. I've earned a living as a writer for several decades, but now, I'm going to make an effort to help first-year students develop the writing skills they will need to succeed in their academic lives and their future employment. I'm polishing teaching skills I haven't used lately; in return, I'm getting a glimpse of the future through the eyes of my students.

Living life to the fullest means being prepared for change. Keep the values and integrity you've worked hard to build, but learn to welcome change with open arms. It's a brave new (teaching) world out there!

Mrs. B
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