Reflecting on Experience

We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.

These are the words of John Dewey- educator, philosopher, reformer. You can read up on Dewey and his books on line or at your local library and favorite bookstores.  Much of what is at the core of who I am as an educator and student of curriculum, is grounded in the work of Dewey. At the center of Dewey's ideas was the value of experience. I had an epiphany this weekend.

My writing well had gone dry for several days. I found myself sitting at the computer at 10 o'clock at night when I should be getting into bed, because the ideas weren't surfacing. I just couldn't decide what to write about. I made a commitment to myself publicly, to write everyday- to blog everyday. It isn't about the blog per se, it's about making writing a priority for me on a daily basis. In the world of work and being a mom and a wife, writing is something for me. I wanted to make this commitment and stick with it. So I have. Even though it's been painful to get something out some days, something is getting out. I'm finding out how big my brave is.*

This past weekend, I had quite a bit of time to myself. I took an open-ended trip down to the beach. I left my bathing suit and beach gear at home, and went to the beach to explore not lay around and sunbathe. I listened, I observed, I sat in stillness and took in my surroundings with my senses. I was schedule-free. When I felt like seeing something else, I got back in my car and drove until I felt like stopping again. When something caught my attention, I got out again. A few things happened. 

First, I had always wanted to climb up on a highway bridge where people stand over the water and hang out and fish. I did that, and it was a really cool view! It didn't even matter that it was hot out and I was in jeans, because the overcast sky and the "wind" created by the cars rushing by made it exceptionally comfortable. I took some photos, looked around, and walked back down.

Second, I drove down to what seems like an exclusive beach but is a public state preserve. Barefoot Beach is at the end of a public access road that winds all the way to a dead end beach, while shooting off small private roads the whole way with what I can only guess are million and multi-million dollar homes. You get this feeling you're not allowed to be there without a special pass, but that's not the case. At the end of the road there are a couple of parking lots where anyone can park and head out to the beach. Many of the photos in my blog posts over the weekend, I took at Barefoot Beach. I had never been there before, but I definitely plan to go back.

Finally, the epiphany. When I got home from the beach, I had no shortage of things to write about. I'm always relaxed and inspired on the beach. But I find myself thinking back to Dewey. I got out and experienced some things. I used my senses to take in my surroundings and then reflected on all of it writing. Yes, it is important as a writer to read and to learn from the best authors. But sometimes we need to get out and experience things. We need to change up our surroundings, find the places we feel free to open ourselves up to all the universe is giving us. Last night at yoga, my instructor invited us to be open. To welcome the new season and "clean out" what we don't need in our lives to open up space for what we do need and want in our lives. I'm opening myself up to more experiences. Whether I can find others to experience with me, or I need to go on my own, I am going to experience more. The windows and doors to me are open, and I am airing out my cobwebs. I'm ready for anything.

*Thanks again to Sara Bareilles for my 2016 theme song. Brave.