Every minute weighs the same.Heard this on another one of my favorite podcasts this week [Back to Work](http://5by5.tv/b2w/256) with [Merlin Mann](http://5by5.tv/people/merlin-mann) and [Dan Benjamin](http://5by5.tv/people/dan-benjamin). Thinking more about what we do with the minutes of our lives...the boys talked about how each of them attempts to balance what is expected of them and what they'd like to get out of their "daily allotment."This brings me to how I spent this past weekend...at the beach...with my friends...thinking about the next iteration of the [UNCC Writing Project](http://wordpress.unccharlottewritingproject.net/), the local affiliate to [The National Writing Project](http://www.nwp.org). This annual, winter retreat gives us a chance to re-connect with each other and think about how we can propel the amazing work our site is already doing...forward...into new and innovative spaces.For 12 years, I have spent "many a minute" with these people...learning from them...working alongside them...laughing...crying...and getting upset with them. I would not be the person I am today...had I not spent each of these minutes with this amazing group of people!So why am I writing about this? When attempting to determine how to balance the minutes of our lives...I think it is very important to think about seeking membership within communities that can support the creative work you are most interested in pursuing! In spite of what is happening in the world of education...it remains for me very much a creative endeavor. That creativity has expanded beyond the walls of my classroom...taking me to conferences...as well as through a PhD program...and more recently...using some of the research from my doctoral work to create a new book!I will say it again...I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the support UNCC WP and NWP has provided me over "all of the minutes" that I've spent as an educator!When I think of the alternative...spending all of these minutes (that weigh the same) doing nothing...or something else...with another group of people...