What fear?

Denial is a strong coping mechanism … and it can be effective for a while.

But eventually, the truth will not be hidden and our fears will make themselves known … often in explosive and hard to explain ways.

What do I mean by explosive? Well, we often hide our fear behind anger. So when the fear becomes so big, the anger can no longer hide it … the fear creates an eruption, spraying the debris from the anger to everyone within its reach.

Unfortunately, this explosion rarely addresses the cause of the fear, so the cycle of hiding and exploding starts again.

Facing our fears – or at least taking an honest peek at them – is the only way to identify what is actually causing the problem so we can start to fix it.

But oh, is it hard!!! Some of our fears have been so well hidden, they’re difficult to recognize even if we’re looking right at them.

But be brave, take one peek, then another. Find one fear, acknowledge it, and figure out why it’s there. Start to work on it, then take another peek to identify the next one.

It is hard and requires bravery! But oh, is it worth it when you no longer are a slave to your fear!!!!

What do you think? Do you have fears hidden in the corners of your mind?

Be brave, take a peek, and get help if you need it. Today’s free write is taking the first step by writing what you think of fears hiding and requiring bravery to face.

If you’d like to share, put it in the comments. But for now … Ready … Set … Write!

What will you do with your power?

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space lies our power to choose. In our response lies our growth and freedom.

Some version of that quote has been ascribed to various people from Stephen R Covey to Viktor Frankl to several others who have said similar things over the years.

But no matter who said it … it got me thinking about my power as a human being. Power for good … power to create change … power to make the world a better place …

The more I thought, the more I had to agree with this quote. The ability to make good choices requires space (and practice).

Sometimes, I have to consciously expand that space. Other times, there is plenty of space naturally occurring before I can respond.

What do you think? Does your power lie in the space between stimulus and response? What will you do with that power?

Okay. Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Success

Today, I heard a quote by Adam Grant. He said that “the most meaningful way to succeed is to help other people succeed.”

I have personally found this to be true in my life. Anytime I help someone else do their job better or encourage them on a path that will improve their life, I feel satisfaction, fulfillment… success in my work.

What do you think? Do you agree? Have you experienced this as well? What does helping others succeed look like to you?

Take a minute or so to think about it, then ready … set … write.

Life’s Lemons

Do you know the saying “When life gives you Lemons, make lemonade?”

I have to say that is one saying that I love and hate all at once.

As an optimist, I totally want to make the best of any situation, but as a realist – particularly when I am the one facing some lemons, I just really want to throw them … and maybe stomp on them … and maybe throw a fit like a three year old.

What about you? Do you like orndislike the saying? Do you make lemonade when life gives you lemons?

Let me know in the comments if you’d like to share, then set your timer and ready … set … write!

April Flowers

These are flowers from my garden. Some are in full bloom … Rock cress, phlox, lilac and lobelia … while others are budding, preparing for their time of full beauty.

That makes me think of people with potential just waiting to be developed and discovered. Writing practice is one way to develop your writing potential so that when opportunity comes your way, you will be ready to accept it and “burst into full bloom.”

So for today’s writing practice, consider what you are doing to prepare yourself for upcoming opportunities, then write about it.

Are you ready? Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Dreams

Dreams are what help us see a better future … better for us, our family, or maybe our country or the world.

Dreaming allows our imagination to explore things we may have previously thought impossible.

What are your dreams? The ones you’re afraid to even tell yourself?

Use your free writing time to explore them and write them down. It will help make them real.

Are you ready? Set your timers and ready … set … write!

Frustration

I have had the opportunity to listen to Julie Anne Cairns speak on a couple of occasions. I feel she has a lot of insight not only into finances, but also into human nature and living a “rich” life. I have to say though that this quote: “Frustration is a portal to your next level of growth” was one of my favorite insights that she shared.

What do you think? Do you agree? Set your timer for 5 minutes and write out what you think. Then, if you wish, share it with me.

Happy writing!

Kari

Want to learn more about Julie Anne Cairns? Visit her site at http://theabundancecodebook.com/julie-ann-cairns/

Colosseum

In January 2020 I had the opportunity to visit Rome. It was unlike any other place I have visited – from the 800 year old fountain across the street to the almost 2000 year old Colosseum and 2700 year old ruins of the Roman Forum.

Then, a couple of weeks after we returned home, Rome went on lockdown. People were sick and dieing by the hundreds. Yet it was the same city we had just left.

It seemed unreal. We were in shock, hoping those people we had met were safe yet knowing that they likely could not escape some impact.

What about you? What were you doing in January of 2020 before life changed? How did your life change in the following weeks and months?

Okay. Set your timer for 5 minutes; then ready … set … write!