#YouCanWrite

Courage = Vulnerability???

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Vulnerability is not weakness; it is our greatest measure of courage. - Brene Brown

I don’t know about you, but I hate feeling vulnerable. It just stinks!

Yet, after hearing this quote while listening to Brenรฉ Brown’s new book Atlas of the Heart, I just couldn’t quit thinking about it. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it is.

Courage is the act of putting ourselves in a vulnerable situation – despite the vulnerability – to achieve some desired outcome. I like to think it is for the greater good, but that probably doesn’t have to be a part of courage. Merriam-Webster defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty” – definitely a vulnerable state in my mind.

What do you think? Do courage and vulnerability go hand in hand?

Take a few minutes to write about it. Set your timers and ready … set … write!

World Water Day

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I walk over to my sink and get a glass of water. I don’t even think about it or worry about whether it is safe – unless it smells or tastes too much like chlorine. Then I am likely to complain or grab the filter to get rid of the bad flavor … but I know it is safe. The likelihood of having contaminated water here in the states is very low and if it happens, a bulletin goes out from the local health department to let everyone know to boil before drinking.

Unfortunately, safe water is not available to everyone. The CDC estimates that 2 BILLION people are without access to safe water. That’s billion – with a B. World Water Day is to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and how access to it can improve the lives of those currently living without it.

So for today’s writing session, write about all of the ways water impacts your life. Do you have access to clean water? It’s definitely something to be thankful for. Then, if time allows, write about how access to fresh water could change the life of someone who currently lacks access.

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

For more information visit the CDC website here, or the WHO website here.

Happy writing!

World Poetry Day

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Do you enjoy Poetry? Shakespeare, Tennyson, Dickinson?

I enjoy poetry best when set to music, but also enjoy listening to it being read by someone with a nice voice.

So for today’s free write, write about your favorite bit of poetry. Or… write some poetry yourself. You decide.

Get your pen, set your timer, and ready … set … write.

World Storytelling Day

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Stories have had a major role in day to day life since the beginning of time. History, folk lore and morals were passed down through the use of stories.

As writers, we get to continue this age old tradition – connecting people through the use of language.

So for today’s free writing session, tell the story of a time you were afraid. Why fear? Because emotion plays a big part in creating tension and making stories memorable and fear is a strong emotion we have all felt (and remember) from some point in our life.

Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Two Secrets to Success

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I love this quote. It goes well with another one I heard recently. I’m not sure who said it, and I will probably say it wrong, but they said “success goes to those who can tolerate the boredom.”

I love that because it is a reminder that even when I am tired of doing the same thing day after day, I need to keep going to be successful.

Starting is important. If we don’t do that first, nothing else will matter. We will never get to experience the boredom, much less work through it to feel success on the other side, but persistence is also important. It takes both for success.

So next time you are bored with the processes that you must do every day, pat yourself on the back and consider it an important milestone to your success. Then dig in and keep doing those boring things remembering that this is just another stepping stone on your road to your dreams.

Dream big, start on the road to your dreams, then keep going, despite the boredom and monotony of every day tasks.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Write about it for today’s prompt. Are you ready?

Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Dreams

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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!

St. Patrick’s Day

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Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

I can’t say we ever did much more than wear green and pinch anyone who didn’t, but every year we made sure to “celebrate” with green.

What about you? How do you celebrate this day? Or if not, what do you think of all of us who do – in some form or another?

Set your timers and ready … set … write!

Inspiration

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What are the things that inspire you? A sunset, the ocean, a rainbow?

All of these things provide inspiration for me, but so do simple things like snow on tiny pinecones or the first flowers of spring.

I often relate inspiration to a feeling of awe, but really it doesn’t have to be awe-inspiring to provide inspiration.

So what do you think? What

Your Most Beautiful Sunset

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This was the view out my window yesterday. I could not believe the colors … or that I was able to capture them fairly accurately.

It was gorgeous. I wonder if I will remember this sunset in years to come? Possibly…but memories hat last and stand out are often related to strong emotions.

Time may be the only test for whether this sunset will be remembered – though this picture will help. ๐Ÿ˜‰

What about you? Do you have a sunset memory? What was going on at the time? Were there strong emotions involved?

Set your timer and write about it.

Ready … set … write!