where the story leads {for the Two Writing Teachers Community}

The world tells us to want everything pristine and ship-shape and perfect. We go to great lengths in order to keep things whole. But what if it is in the broken mess that the best things in life emerge?

Consider a broken crayon or a broken cookie or a broken circle. Often it is by splitting apart that we can reach out and touch others. Sometimes when things are broken they end up serving more, making more good in the world than before.

Today marks a break in my writing life. It is the end to a six year writing partnership on Two Writing Teachers with Stacey Shubitz. Last week I wrote to Stacey:

So this isn't a goodbye -- far from it -- because I think this will allow us to simply be friends without all of the other demands of writing together. This says a lot about our relationship. There are few writers who can work together for as long as we have and remain friends. To me, this is our greatest accomplishment. Although it does feel like I'm walking away from a huge part of my writing life, I'm trying to remember at the same time I am also walking toward something else.

Stacey has walked alongside of me through the twists and turns of many life changes -- becoming a mother three more times, publishing two books, writing for Choice Literacy, and learning to embrace imperfection.

Life changes and a new adventure is calling. It is time to see where the story leads and to find out if I'm brave enough to follow it. It's time to make space for the story knocking around inside of me.

Not only am I grateful to Stacey, but I'm thankful for the years of learning and the Two Writing Teachers community. Because of you I found my voice and learned my words matter. You've helped me become who I am meant to be and have confirmed it is more important to be genuine and authentic than to be influential and significant.

You fuel me to write real and raw. You empower me to be bold and brave. I'm afraid I will miss you.

But just like I said to Stacey, this isn't good bye. I'm not walking away from writing or teaching. I'll still be here, in this little corner of the world.

Writing.
Listening.
Being real.

Discovering. Playing. Building. 

Sharing my story and hoping it inspires you to tell your own.

In order to make it easy to find my writing, I'd be honored if you follow me in these online spaces:

Facebook {Discover. Play. Build.}

Twitter @ruth_ayres

Pinterest @ruth_ayres

Instagram @ruth_ayres

And, of course, all of my words will now live here, at Ruth Ayres Writes {Discover. Play. Build.}.