Writing hurts. Sharing a difficult truth takes courage. Reading your words aloud requires faith in your listeners. Honest self expression amazes. All of these need commitment. It has been my honor over the last four years to walk beside some special women and men who have made that amazing commitment, to express themselves with truth, skill and courage. This blog commits to showing you, the readers, the value in Celebrating Your Voice.
Do you remember all those school days when people hushed you? No talking, be quiet, you have nothing to say! Programmed for over a decade, we learn, we learn to hide our voice, keep quiet, and never share those innermost thoughts. It is dangerous, put on that happy face, all is fine, YOU know the line and the lie.
We get so good at concealing our true selves that many of us spend most of our lives trying to simply find ourselves. Some secret self so buried under tons of rubbish that sometimes we can never liberate that voice within, much less celebrate it.
A terrifying and liberating step led me to finding and ever so slowly learning to celebrate my voice. Not easily, not quickly, in no way painlessly, step by step I spoke my way out of the abyss of silence. With a baby step, I asked a friend about an inspiration. "Let's start a writers' group at church," I whispered. "Would you like to co-lead it with me." I could not even contemplate doing this alone. Thankfully she agreed and we started to grow a dream.
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| Coleene and Linda at Aspiring Writers' Forum |
Like the smallest of mustard seeds, we started growing. A tender shoot arose and we took turns watering and fertilizing it. The subject of endless discussion and prayer between us, I so thank Coleene VanTilburg for daring to dream with me, together, united. And that miniscule little plant began to grow and we were so amazed.
I brought the idea to our church leadership, AND they said YES. Now we really were committed, but would anyone want to join us? We hoped that maybe one of two might, daring not to even think there would be more than a few of us to fill the six seats around the table reserved for us in the church library. The first steps of learning to celebrate our voices had begun.
Very nice post we should all celebrate our voices.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me figure out my gadgets so I could have followers on my blog!
DeleteGrateful and thankful to partner with you for His glory, encouraging one another as we all grow in the Lord and express with the written word, How Great is Our God! Aspiring to celebrate with you into many journal questions, blog posts, and submissions, but more importantly to continue hold each other up in a special friendship born out of suffering, born into restoration and purpose. God bless you and I love you my friend.
ReplyDeleteGrateful and thankful for your walking beside me every step of the way! Love this special friendship too and may God continue to bless you and shower you with His plan!
DeleteSo glad to be with you on this journey of sharing our voice. Lovely beginning, inspiring future.
ReplyDeleteAlready writing post #2 in my head. Now have to get it down in words! Happy to have the Thompsons along on the journey!
DeleteThank you and Coleene and all the other AWFers for helping me to learn to celebrate my voice. Looking forward to more posts!!
ReplyDeleteIt makes my day to hear you express your voice, and a powerful story and voice you have to share!
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in the AWF Class, I am glad this day is finally here. I always enjoyed your dog blog, but writing is what you were made to do. And that includes sharing your journey with others as you are doing here now. Thank you for inspiring others to join you in this adventure. May each of us bring Glory to God with our words. I look forward to more posts from you on the subject.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Doug. Just like every other writer I have my insecurities too. Now I am embracing that part of myself insecurities and all.
DeleteA journey begins with the first step. If one never takes that step one will never go. In taking that step what lies ahead is growth that will lead to challenges. But in those challenges there is much joy. Linda, you challenged me to allow my creative juices to flow and not hold back. In the short time I was with AWF I grew in leaps and bounds. The joy I've received cannot be measured nor can it be expressed. My hope is that while on the journey,in all things that we do...God is glorified.
ReplyDeleteCarl, you and Keala have been such a source of encouragement for me in this walk. You completed the first story for our project, "Christmas Inspirations," and have led in so many ways. We miss you with the Pacific Ocean between us, but still hear your words of truth from echoing across the sea!
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