Reclaim Your Greater Story #IWSG #amwriting #Newyear
[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here]
This month’s awesome Co-Hosts: J.H. Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!
Check out our IWSG homepage. And as always, thank you to founder Alex J. Cavaugh 🙂
As a writer, I’ve often questioned where I am. I’ve wondered if I can compete when I really haven’t gotten my feet off the ground very far. And now faced with another new year with more distance between my goals and the time, I admit, my heart has weighed in a little heavier than I’ve wanted it to weigh.
This past Sunday, something drew me to hustle the children out of bed, compelled to get them to church. Drained from a severe flu, I finally felt an ounce of energy, and my heart said get up, now is the time to leave the house.
We made it to church. I sat on the bench with my hands crossed in my lap, staring up at the pastor on the stage while my children colored on worksheets next to me. Then the pastor held out his hands, looked straight out at all of us and said, “You can find a new flow from an old well.”
I sat up straight and grabbed a pen. I wrote down every word thereafter and I haven’t stopped thinking about his words of hope since. Thus, I’m sharing them today because of what they mean, and how much they mean to me.
“Dig. Unearth. Take care of the well you already have. Reclaim that greater story. Hope again. Allow yourself to dream.”
I don’t often write about religion, but the words seemed timely, and they touched me in a force of inspiration.
So this year, I’ve decided to hold on to my writing dreams. And out of my brainstorming, I reached out to one of my great writing friends, happy to learn she recently moved back to town. We’re meeting for coffee this Sunday and I’m super excited to have someone to talk to face-to-face again about books, my first quiet prayer come true, already this year.
On another fun note, I saw a great movie with the kids: Bumblebee. It sure amazed the heck out of me. The soundtrack seemed really great too. And a new book? I found one! I went to Half Price Books the other day and picked up the murmurings by Carly Anne West. So far, I’m incredibly intrigued.
Lesson learned, not every minute will shine like you want. Love the minutes that shine as they come. Have faith the road you choose to walk will continue to show you brighter, shinier minutes along the way.
Question: Have you come across something recently that revived your spirit, your heart? A great new book or movie? I’d love to hear it.
Posted on January 2, 2019, in Uncategorized and tagged Cloud Nine Girl, Erika Beebe, IWSG. Bookmark the permalink. 35 Comments.
God knew there was a reason you had to be in church that morning! Glad you are inspired again.
Bumblebee was a really great film.
Happy New Year Alex. I think it topped out my movie list for 2018 🙂
I mean, that’s great advice no matter where it came from. Insightful stuff. Have you read The Trouble with Goats and Sheep? I’m only halfway through, but the voice is delightful, and I think you might like it.
I haven’t read that book though I have seen the title. Thank you Raimey. I love finding new delightful reads 🙂 And thank you for stopping in today 🙂
Happy IWSG Day! Thanks bunches for stopping by my blog.
Seems like you had a reason for being drawn to church that morning. I’m glad you’ve been revived. All the best in 2019.
Thank you Toi. I appreciate that very much 😊
What a wonderful line of wisdom. All you have to do is prime the pump and new water will spring forth.
I was totally stricken Diane. 🙂
Some days I feel like I am in the middle of Rocky One without knowing I will eventually win. If we persist, we grow, we aspire, we achieve. You are a unique voice. God gave it to you because someone out there needs to hear it. 🙂
Thank you Roland. I appreciate your warm thoughts so much. Happy New year, my friend 🙂
I’ve gotten that sort of epiphany at church, too. Right when I thought the priest was getting boring, he’d pop out with a sizzler. I used to ask the kids to summarize what they heard in the sermon on our way home. It was pretty interesting.
That’s a wonderful idea Jacqui. You are such an amazing writer and mom 🙂
Good thing you were listening to your heart to get out the door and get to church. What an inspiring message. Sometimes you have to hit bottom in order to bounce up to the top.
JQ Rose
I appreciate your kindness so much Janet 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Inspiration can hit anywhere and at anytime. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
We all find inspiration in different, sometimes unlikely places. What is important is not as much where you find it as where you go with it afterwards.
Happy New Year, Erika, in writing and in life.
Thank you so much Olga. I truly appreciate your words 😊
What an insightful post, Erika. Bravo to you! I’m also glad you’re feeling better. I remember those days of being sick with lots of young kids in the house. It was not fun. When they didn’t know how to tell time, I’d always pretend it was later than it was just so I could go to bed sooner. Good for you finding insight in a movie and a book. I like deep movies and books, too. I’m looking for the lesson learned by the characters. I can’t think of anything specific right now. Sorry! All the best to you in 2019!
Thank you for sharing your memories with me. It is so terrible when you, The parent is sick, and you try to keep everyone healthy and they just don’t understand. I highly recommend BumbleBee if You have the chance 🙂
“Reclaim that greater story.” I got goosebumps.
🙂
This writing business is so fickle! Up one minute, down the next. So glad you got inspired! And that you have a writer friend in town. Jealous.
😉 Blessings Erika!
On your blog you say you hope to inspire others along the way. Well you certainly did with this post. You/your pastor said what I needed to hear. When I found today that I didn’t make it into the IWSG anthology I was more than sad about it, questioning my decision to write as you have. Thank you for giving me the lift/boost I needed to get myself back on track in my brain and heart and remember why I write. Happy new year and I wish you all the best!
Hi Lisa. I am so sorry your heart was down today. I understand that feeling very much. Thank you for sharing with me how my
Post gave you “a lift”. I really really appreciate your kind thoughts and wish the best for you in 2019 😊☀️
What great timing! This was a great post, Erika. It certainly inspired me.
I am happy to hear I helped inspire, Lee. I have certainly been thinking of you this holiday season ☀️
I would consider that rush to church to be divinely inspired! I get the same depressed hopes, but then I remind myself that I trust the path that God sets me on so I worry less about the things that are out of my control.
That is great advice to tend the wells we have. I’m guilty of wishing for other, better wells.
I appreciate your sweet Thoughts Elizabeth. I agree. I needed to hear those words so much. I have hope again and am working with a mad fury on my second draft of a manuscript. Happy New Year ☀️
So inspirational! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ronel visiting for IWSG day 2019 Goals, Resolutions and Questions
Thank you Ronel. The end of 2018 was a little difficult but filled with hope for 2019 😊
I’ll remember that one! How incredibly perfect to get inspired in church. Love it 🙂
Thank you so much Yvette. It was an incredible message and even my children remember it 🙂
A good book always revives my flagging spirits.
Thank you for sharing those words of inspiration, Erika.
I think I need to connect with a writer friend, one who I can have coffee with and share manuscript challenges… I’d love to develop a face-to-face writerly connection with somebody.
Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Year Michelle. We ended up cancelling because of all the flu going around but will reconnect in two Sundays.
I think it will really help me and I hope you find someone near you too ☀️