Write For 31 Days
For the past couple of years, writers from around the world gathered with great excitement and anticipation. Everyone looked forward to the Write For 31 Days that happens every October, until it was announced that the “host” was discontinuing this event for writers.
This was something that us writers looked forward to because they provide a list of prompt words to get our creative juices flowing. As women, it is hard for any man to ever believe we could ever be at a loss for words. But, as writers, you do get a form of “writer’s block” from time to time. Whether something is going on in your life and you’re just incredibly busy, or you’re overwhelmed with life and depression steals your words … writer’s block happens to the best of us.
I think that is what I have been going through, yet the writing prompts were something to bring us OUT of all of that. We’re encouraged to share our story with the world, and honestly, I think there is a story inside of ALL of us that needs to be told. There are things the younger generation stands to gain from the wisdom we can impart upon them. Likewise, there is lots to be learned from my elders, and so I write … yes, but I read and support my fellow writers.
Lots of times, I think we’re afraid to share our stories. We believe in stripping that layer away that protects us will then leave us vulnerable and such easy targets. Surely if you bare your soul, someone will come along and use what you’ve shared against you. Right? Sometimes that does happen. It saddens my heart when I hear of such You trust a person with your whole heart when you confide in them, and for what? Just to have them stab you right in the middle of it when they use what you’ve shared against you. What betrayal! WHY would anyone do such a thing, and what in the world do they stand to gain from that? And so you retreat, afraid of ever sharing that part of yourself or ANYTHING with them again …
The wall goes back up.
And then you’re called cold hearted or unfeeling …
OR other hateful things.
But there are those that you can trust and confide in. There are a few people out there that only want the best for you and want to help you. Whatever is hurting your heart, they want to be there to take it all away. Whatever is burdening you, they want to lift it from your shoulders. They want to give you a sense of belonging, provide hope for your weary soul and offer comfort you can only find with them.
Allow it.
Those are the people you want in your corner.
Invite them in.
And walk through life together sharing each other’s burden; laughter, tears, headaches, heartaches, each and every joy filled moments.
Accept the blessing their heart provides.
When Life Is Hard
I haven’t written in a while because honestly … life is hard right now.
I have written in the past to bring awareness to mental health issues because I understand the importance of this and how the topic needs to be in the forefronts of everyone’s minds. Having encountered people in my path throughout the years has really made me understand how mental illnesses impact people often in very negative ways. It wreaks havoc on lives, if I am completely honest! Whether I’ve come to know them through my work at the alcohol and drug commission or other various positions I’ve held through the years, or whether they’ve been friends or family members … it is apparent that more attention needs to be brought to this topic so that people can seek HELP!
Listen up.
There is NO SHAME in getting the help you need.
NO SHAME TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH GAME!
Please understand that!
If your life is in a whirlwind the majority of the time, and you can’t quite put your finger on what is wrong – SEEK HELP. There are counselors available to help you talk through your feelings and figure out what changes need to be made in your life so that you find peace within yourself. I have found that if you are unhappy with yourself on the inside, it will all come spewing out around people. Mainly, it is the ones you proclaim to “love” that get battered and bruised. I’ve been on the receiving end more times than I care to recall, and I can tell you, IT IS NO FUN!!!
Life will have ups and downs. There will be curve balls thrown in from time to time. Every one experiences this. All of us. But, if this is a constant with you, and your life is in turmoil 95% of the time, chances are that it is NOT everyone else around you … but it is YOU, dear heart. Please take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. Stop blaming this person or that person, or this job or that job, or this situation or that situation. Be honest with yourself and the person in the mirror. Look into your own eyes and admit that you – like us all – have faults, yes. But look deeper than that at what is causing the chaos you feel in your heart and soul.
Are you living right?
Do you have GOD guiding your path? Or do you lean more toward a sinful nature?
KNOW THIS – if you are doing things in darkness, they will eventually come to light. It will not stay hidden just because you think you’re so clever in how you can cover your tracks.
And ask yourself this.
IS IT REALLY WORTH IT for you to lead this kind of life?
Alcohol and drug abuse … impulsive ways of life, whether it be through spending money that you don’t have or with being sexual and taking risks that you normally would not take, realize that something is not right. Whether you call it sex addiction, or just having “fun,” it is NO FUN when your life is in a constant hurricane state with storm winds ripping the roof off of your house!
Or, let’s talk about bullying. Are you like the big bad wolf threatening to blow someone’s house down? Do you beat your fists on things, throw objects, knock holes in walls or do other destructive type things when you get angry? If that’s you – KNOW THIS – that is abuse, plain and simple! Verbal … emotional … mental … whatever you want to call it. It is ABUSIVE and in the state of South Carolina, it is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!! FYI – that is unlawful conduct toward those you “love.” Keep that in mind! If the police are called when you are behaving in this fashion, you could be hauled off to jail. Consider that the next time you want to throw a fit.
But it’s bigger than all of that – if you are behaving in this fashion, I would be willing to bet that a hidden mental illness is fueling it. There is something going on inside of you that you haven’t addressed yet, and you need professional help to do so.
Remember what I said earlier about NO SHAME – and I mean that. It takes a big person to realize that something is not quite right and ADDRESS that with experts in the field.
I truly applaud all those that have taken that step. Everyone that has come to this realization and stepped out, hands shaking as they called the number for a psychiatrist or counseling, I applaud you! YOU are the hero every time you walk into that doctor’s office or sit on that counselor’s padded couch to begin your therapy. It takes guts to do that!
So please, seek help! Life will be better when you do. Until then, you will be in a constant state of chaos and turmoil.
Your family deserves better! Your family deserves PEACE!
Thirteen
She leaps out of the vehicle, long brown hair flowing behind her, as she picks up the box. An excited squeal escapes her lips as she extends those long legs into a full run, flings the wooden house door open and smiles as she heads for the bedroom. She carefully places the box on the bed now as if it is full of fragile treasures inside, and to her, they are! With each item she brings out of the box, her facial expressions change as she reaches for the next, and the next, and the next …
Thirteen. This is what 13 looks like when you’re excited to open a box of squishes that was sent as a surprise by someone so incredibly sweet who treats my daughter as if she were his very own. And it has always been this way. Friends of 20 years, yet family in our hearts. That describes the unique gift we have both been given by meeting as we did all those years ago. A chance meeting? Perhaps, but God orchestrated the entire thing. I believe that in my heart.
And my beautiful blue eyed baby girl cannot wait to show each and every item off. Being as descriptive as she can, she talks about each unique quality they all have and tries to narrow down which is her absolute favorite.
Oh, to be 13 again. Young and playful, full of life, without a care in the world.
Each of us has our own unique qualities also. Imagine someone oozing with this kind of enthusiasm as they speak our name and tell of our special qualities that make their eyes light up, too! Now imagine our God, Almighty Creator, loving us so much as He sits on His throne in Heaven telling all the angels that gather around all about us. He knows every single hair we have on our body, and He knows intimate details of our thoughts and feelings.
As I sit and think of the love I have in my heart for my 13 year old daughter as I watch her in all of her glory, I imagine how God beams with pride as He watches over us all.
Carry that with you today and know that He loves you far more than you could ever imagine.
