How Self-Reflection Leads to Awareness, Acceptance, and Forgiveness
Newsletter #63
“Let It Go!”
I’ve found myself doing a lot of thinking lately. Overthinking? Perhaps! But I am grateful for the self-reflection I have done, not only in recent weeks, but in the past several years or so. Because it has left me with a greater sense of awareness of what has shaped my perspectives, beliefs, habits, and decisions. Only with this awareness have I been able to make intentional changes in my life.
Some of these changes are practical habits, like being more consistent about eating breakfast or working out. I have also learned about the importance of increasing my empathy and how much impact compassion can make. These are valuable shifts.
The most meaningful changes, though, have come about when my awareness has given me the gifts of realization, acceptance, and forgiveness. I am reminded of the lyrics from “Let It Go” because of the way they represent Elsa’s self-acceptance and growth after struggling to hide her emotions out of fear or shame.
What a powerful reminder that seeking support is one of the kindest acts you can do for yourself and having the courage to face whatever stresses you’re experiencing can end in jubilant triumph. Will facing your inner demons require effort? Of course. Will there be hard truths you’ll need to face? Probably. Will recognizing the dissonance and navigating your way past it be worth it? Unquestionably, yes.
Letting go is a transformational life lesson. It leads to freedom from burdens, more light in your soul, and opens the doorway to opportunities. Best of all, releasing past traumas allows true joy to enter your life so instead of merely surviving, you can thrive.
Book Report: NOODLES ON A BICYCLE
Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Gracey Zhang
There’s so much to love about this vibrant and active story that showcases the dedication and talent of soba deliverymen from the mid-20th century in Japan. We follow a day in the life of a deliveryman, who picks up hot noodle dishes and carefully balances the ceramic soup bowls on wooden soba boxes. Then he holds them atop his shoulders as he bicycles around the busy streets between cars, trucks, and buses. The author Kyo so clearly describes each delivery location with her poetic language and captures how neighborhood children mimic the talented deliverymen’s actions in their play. They are friendly, hardworking, and admired by all who appreciate the delicious delivered meals. Gracey’s detailed art has an effortless ease in its line work that draws us into the setting as if we are right there and part of all the action. There’s a strong sense of setting and emotion as all the community members watch the noodles on a bicycle pass by and interact with them, reflecting a level of respect and appreciation for this hardworking and important person.
Themes: community, hard work, admiration
Discussion Ideas:
What does the author mean when she says the deliverymen are artists, engineers, and acrobats?
Why do the children admire the deliverymen so much? What jobs from your life now do many people admire and why?
Mentor Text For:
strong verbs
vivid adjectives
sequence of events
transitional words and phrases
poetry: ode
questions
circular story arc
Buy the book!
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Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
listened to a podcast on school visits
watched a webinar about nonfiction kidlit
attended 2 Uplift Kidlit write-along sessions (hosted from Colorado and New Jersey)
completed 2 more dummies to explore possible story arcs
reviewed and updated a draft of a story
shared biography documents with my agent
met with my agent to discuss several stories
attended an author meetup in Oakland
critiqued 3 manuscripts
met with my online critique group
attended a Regional Team meeting to discuss an upcoming virtual event
started to revise another story
completed slides for a panel presentation
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan
Wise words, Susan. It's an ongoing process as life brings new circumstances and experiences through the years.
Thanks for sharing Noodles on a Bicycle. It's on my radar to read. You've had a very productive week!