When Doubt Creeps In
Last year I participated in the 31 days of writing along with a lot of other talented bloggers. It was a challenge to think of a topic that you could talk about for 31 days straight. While I completed the 31 days, and was extremely proud that I was able to stick with it, there was times when I doubted whether I had anything of real worth and value to contribute. I’ll bet you have those moments as well. Silent thoughts inside of your head trying to convince you to give up when you haven’t even really gotten started yet.
When doubt creeps in it is so easy to say, “You’re right!” while throwing in the towel. But … please don’t. You do have a lot to offer the world. We need to read your words and hear what you’re speaking straight from your heart. You do have something of worth and value to share.
Don’t let doubt keep you from joining in on this challenge in October. If you’re unsure of a topic, there are two bloggers stepping up to the plate to offer you prompt words to get the juices flowing. One is Kate, the host of Five Minute Fridays. The other is Denise, who I have come to know and love through an (in)Courage group for writers that I participated in two Winters ago. If you’d rather not write on a specific topic for 31 days, then join in on their prompt words. But, if you’re just not feeling inspired at all, just write from your heart. You cannot go wrong sharing your words that way.
Maybe you have a story inside of you screaming to get out. Or, perhaps you need to talk about the pain from your past as a form of therapy. I have used my blog for this purpose before. Sometimes when the pain is so great, you just cannot get the words to slip from your lips. You feel unable to speak, as you just do not want to talk about it out loud to any one. That’s okay. Some of the greatest forms of therapy for me has come from writing it all out. Whether it is a letter to someone that has wronged me that I just write for the sole purpose of getting it out of me and onto paper or onto the computer screen with the intent of deleting or printing out and burning the paper afterwards as a form of release … it helps to write!
If I find that I’m stewing over something that is greatly troubling me, it helps to be released from my self made prison by writing about it. If I harbor it all inside of my heart, it will fester. I know that I will feel better once I release it, and so … out it comes. This is easier for some, while it is much harder for others. I do understand this as well. Words flow once I really get started, whereas my husband, for example, struggles to express himself with words. Take however long you need. The point isn’t to rush through it. The whole purpose is to get it out of you so you’ll begin to feel better.
Maybe you’d rather not write about something so personal. If you choose not to delve into painful experiences from your past in these 31 days, that is completely understandable as well. Maybe it’s 31 days of prayers you’d rather write about to encourage someone around you. That would be AWESOME, by the way!
Just … write.
Do not let the doubt crowd out your creative thoughts that are just begging to come out.
I’d like to encourage you to accept the 31 day challenge, whether you write on a blog, in a journal, or write letters to people that have offended you or caused you grief in life (letters to later be ripped up or burned).
Join us in this challenge to write for 31 days straight beginning October 1st.
Unforgettable
The year was 1989, and I had just graduated from high school in May of that year. A few short months later when I was trying to stretch my wings out in this great big world, fear struck as a hurricane was headed our way. I’ll never forget boarding up the windows of our home and securing items outside as much as possible as we awaited the storm that was approaching. While it would hit landfall on the Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina, an hour and a half away from my small hometown, it was such a massive storm that the effects would definitely be felt in my area.
My dad stayed up on storm watch as my sister and I tried to go to our separate rooms to sleep. I remember praying for our safety and trusting God to protect us all …
And … He did!
We lost power sometime in the night when my eyelids finally decided to close and allow sleep to come. We awoke to downed trees, but thankfully our house did not sustain any real destruction or damage. We were part of the lucky ones. Yard cleanup was all that was required, and shortly after daybreak, we began this task in our front yard.
I’ll never forget wearing a knit sweater the color of the sun with a pair of Bermuda shorts as I helped my family clean up fallen limbs. As I bent down to reach for another limb, a guy that expressed an interest in me during my Senior year of high school stopped by with a couple of his friends. He could not hide his amusement as he smirked at my apparel, and looking back, I’m sure I was a complete mess with my hair pulled back in a ponytail working to get the yard free of debris. I stopped only for a minute before continuing my task, and despite how I looked, I was just thankful to be there in one piece with my family on yard duty!
It’s hard to believe that 26 years have passed now since Hurricane Hugo swept across the coast of Charleston causing destruction along the way. What is even harder to believe is that I have been out of school for those 26 years! In my heart of hearts, I’m still YOUNG … and yet, time just keeps marching on trying to tell me that I’m not as young as I used to be. Young at heart, though, is what I will always be!
This unforgettable moment was brought to you by the prompt phrase of “A moment I will never forget …” on Karen’s Tuesday at Ten.
Carry Hope
If you’re like me, you can never have enough bags! Whether you’re looking to carry one to the market, the beach, or with you to hold your bible and journal, women just LOVE their bags! Can I get an “AMEN!” ladies?
If you’ve been looking for THE perfect bag and haven’t really found one that holds up, then I have the bag for YOU!
Just recently I was introduced to Esperos Carry Hope bags. Just the name itself should make you look for additional information, but you won’t have to look far as I have lots to share with you on Esperos!
Education is so important, and yet so many children in the developing world aren’t given the opportunity for a proper education. Realizing this very real problem, Esperos steps in and gives 10% of the purchase price of their bags to The Nobelity Project. This special project out of Texas works to fill the gap to ensure education is obtainable for these children!
I have had the pleasure of carrying around their market tote for a few weeks now, and I have to tell you that I am extremely impressed with the quality of the bag. It is a heavy duty canvas bag that is stain resistant. You can tell that this market tote will hold up for years to come! I adore the words “Carry Hope” that are on the neutral colored bag that I chose!
Propeller / FlyBy Promotions gifted me with this tote in exchange for my unbiased opinion and review of the Esperos bags.
When I received my bag in the mail, another bag came with it for a giveaway. Instead of doing a traditional giveaway on the blog, the ladies in my office gathered around to examine the bag. They felt the canvas, looked inside of it to find a pouch inside that snaps in, and we talked about how we could very easily just carry our market tote to get grocery items and put our driver’s license, money, and credit cards in the pouch for easy access. This way, you wouldn’t need to carry a separate purse! Needless to say, they fell in love with this bag, and it was a tough decision to make … but I decided to gift one of my friends/co-workers with this bag.
While I don’t have a bag to offer in this giveaway presently, I do have an offer for you! Esperos is going to give you a 15% discount for any bag purchased. All you need to do is use the code EsperosMoms when checking out and the discount will be automatically applied!
Check them out! You won’t be disappointed! While you anticipate the arrival of your bag, know that you’ve helped the little children!
Feel good about yourself as you Carry Hope … and extend it to those in need by purchasing from Esperos.
Blessings to you!
A special thanks to Propeller/FlyBy Promotions for this wonderful bag!
