Sankalpa is about I am instead of I want, or so they say. From what I've read, it's a type of affirmation and a way of getting rid of and letting go. Yesterday the seventh graders started writing their "Moment in Time" story. The emphasis is on the moment and not a super long boring story. I showed part of clip by Kevin Kling (until 1:26... short moment) and shared my moment with them. It was a neatly typed class set placed on all of the desks. As I read, the students followed along. At the end we discussed both stories and the focus. During the discussion, one of the honors' students raised his hand and asked, "Is this your story?" I explained that it was my story, my moment while the student interrupted, "You mean you wrote this?" Without trying to figure out his intention, I stated that I had indeed written the story. "It's good. Props," he exclaimed. For some reason this affirmation from a twelve year old was something I needed. Unfortunately, the affirmation did not stick as I sat down to work on a proposal for next year's NCTE (National Conference Teachers of English) Convention. I needed the I AM a writer sankalpa going through my head. Instead, I gave up one the proposal (for the evening) even though the deadline is looming. This evening, I will be a writer. Sankalpa would say I Am a writer, but I don't have time this morning to tackle this thought or the proposal.
A sankalpa is not “I want to be more balanced” but instead, “I am balanced.” It is in the affirmative, present-tense, rather than the probable, future-tense.
I am a writer.
NOT I want to be a writer this evening.
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