OVERCOME FEAR
Welcome to Day 27 of #write31days. Overcome is the prompt word for the Five Minute Friday Free Writes. I would venture to guess that most of us have something we need to overcome. Maybe you have a fear of sharing your words or art, because you think no one will be interested.
STEPS TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR
When I first started blogging four years ago, I had to overcome some fear. A few people had suggested I start a blog, but I was not convinced. I wasn’t sure people would be interested in what I had to say.
Finally, with the help of my daughter, Jamie, I did get one started. For about two and a half years I wrote using Blogger. At first I mostly wrote for Five Minute Friday. It was a good thing to jump start my writing again. I also shared news about the family and our homestead.
Then I joined an online group that was in the middle of poetry prompts for each day. I jumped in and began writing more poetry. Some of it was hard, but I was having fun. We had calls where we could critique the work of each other.
Because of the support of people who encouraged me, I finally realized I could call myself a writer.
USING PHOTOGRAPHY AND POETRY
One friend led an online class along the lines of contemplative photography using either our cameras or phones. She challenged us to go outside every day and look for beauty in unexpected places. We were encouraged to pause, take our time and just observe and capture with our lenses. That helped open my eyes to the wonder of nature.
Eventually I started writing more poetry including the haiku. Here is one of my earlier haiku along with a photo of a flower taken at the edge of the woods where I live.
I have now been blogging for four years. During that time I have learned a lot from fellow bloggers and friends. There is still so much to learn, but to me it is exciting. Along the way, there were fears and doubts, but I kept on writing.
Now I can’t imagine not writing. One day I hope to publish a nature haiku/photo book and maybe some other books for children. I also hope to publish a book of poetry. There are sure to be obstacles along the way, but with God’s help I can overcome them.
What are some fears you might need to overcome?
Seek wisdom from God and ask for help from trusted friends. Then take the first step even if it is a baby step. Every step you take gives you more confidence, and pretty soon you may realize that you don’t need to fear any more.
To find other posts in this series click HERE.
I’m linking up with: #FreshMarketFriday, #FiveMinuteFriday, #InspireMeMonday
IT’s such a process, isn’t it, Gayl! God is as interested in our journey as the outcome. My brother (hyattmoor.com) does art books and uses Createspace w/ Amazon (I do as well – the cheapest and best for self-publishing.)
Oh, yes, Sue, it is a process for sure. I’m so glad God is with us all the way not just at the beginning and end. I will definitely try Createspace and I’ll check out your brother’s site. Thanks so much for visiting. Always nice to have you here. Blessings to you! xo
I love this! The baby steps lead to more and more confidence, and before you know it, you’re doing it…YOU are a great writer! (& a great poet, and a great photographer!)
Overcome is my new word these days! When we let God love other people through our art, EVERYONE is blessed, to the glory of the Lord!
I’m glad you kept on taking those baby steps! You have overcome the fear with Jesus!
Thanks!!
Dear Peggi,
Thank you so much for your continual encouragement! You are right – when God uses our art to bless other He is also glorified. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to show God’s love to others through our obedience to Him with our work. Those first steps were a little hard but exciting still. I know that Jesus helps me with all that I do and I am grateful. I’m als grateful that you are my friend. Many blessings to you with much love! xoxo
You, my friend, are indeed a writer! 🙂
Dear Tara,
Thank you so much for your confirmation! You are such an encourager and a blessing. May God bless you each day! Love and hugs! xo
Gayl,
what a pleasant stroll through your writing path!
“Seek wisdom from God and ask for help from trusted friends. Then take the first step even if it is a baby step. Every step you take gives you more confidence, and pretty soon you may realize that you don’t need to fear any more.”
You could apply this to every single experience a person encounters. Thank you for this wisdom!
Love,
Tammy
(#63 this week-right behind you!)
Thank you so much, Tammy, for your comments. I was hoping that people would see it could be applied to any experience they might have. I’m so glad you caught that. Thanks for visiting today! I’m off to read yours, too!
Blessings to you! Love and hugs!
Love that “Lady Slipper” haiku!
Thanks, Bettie! I was so surprised that day when I found it growing at the edge of the woods. I took pictures of it each day as it grew and changed. It was such a cool thing to me!
Blessings to you! Love and hugs! xo
Lovely Gayl! So glad you took the plunge.
Thanks so much, Lynn! I’m glad, too. It’s been fun and encouraging. Blessings to you!
Argh – yes, it’s such a swallowing of pride and fear and a risking of the safe path.
And it still is, but we’ve gained so much!
Friends, for instance!
Yes, you are so right, Michele! And yes, I have made so many friends through blogging, you included. 🙂 I’m so glad we got to meet up when our family was in Maine. What a blessing that was!
Blessings and love to you, dear Michele! xo
There definitely are steep learning curves to negotiate in developing and sharing our art and creativity, but the joy we receive in doing so outweighs the difficulties and trials along the way. What I especially love about blogging is the community we meet and friendships we make, plus the support and encouragement we can offer one another. It’s lovely to hear how you have progressed in faith, courage, confidence and creativity over the last few years. Well done, Gayl! Keep on keeping on, my friend. You are blessing and inspiring others in the process. Love and hugs! xo 😊💜
Yes, the joy outweighs the difficulties! And the support and encouragement is amazing! I’m so glad we have “met” online and are able to mutually encourage each other. It’s been such a blessing to me. Thank you for your kind words, dear Joy. We will continue to love and support each other as we keep writing and sharing from our hearts. May God continue to bless and be glorified through it all.
Many blessings to you with much love, my sister/poet/writer/friend! xoxo
Gayl, I am so glad you found the faith and strength to step out into the blogosphere. Your words and pictures have inspired so many…
…and I’ve found a friend.
Andrew, thanks so much for your encouragement! I’m glad, too. 🙂 You have really inspired me, too. 🙂 I’m glad to have found you as a friend! Blessings to you and your dear wife. May God make His presence known. {{Hugs}}
I started blogging with five minute friday as well. When my son was 4 months old my goal would be to write every week just for 5 minutes. It was a turning point in coming out of a really hard time and i began to find myself. I did it for a few months and then decided to start blogging and not just writing my five minute friday in the comments section.
Five Minute Friday is a great way to jump start writing, especially if you haven’t done it in awhile. I’ve really had fun with it. I’m glad you started writing, taking those baby steps of 5 minutes a day. It certainly paid off. 😉 Your blog is wonderful!
Blessings to you, dear Amanda! xo
Hello, Gayl! Yeah, you for overcoming your fear about blogging! Aren’t you glad you did? I’m still learning tons, but began because I had already written a book and my daughter said I needed to build a platform. I’m loving being a part of this community of Women in Christ. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and poetry!
Hi Alice! Oh, yes, I’m so glad I conquered that fear. I really love blogging! I’m glad you are in this lovely blogging community of women who love God. It’s so encouraging to meet others and share our lives. Thanks for your encouragement. I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures and poetry. Blessings to you!
What an inspiring post! Love your haiku and photo…keep writing and taking pictures.
Thank you so much, Debbie! I’m glad you enjoyed the haiku and photos. Thanks for your encouragement. I’ll definitely keep it up! Blessings to you!
I personally know what you mean when you described your fear of blogging because you thought no one would care to read your writing. I felt the same. But we are able to overcome fear when we take tiny steps forward in obedience.
Personally, I think you are a great writer. Blessings to you and keep going forward.
You are so right. I think I knew God was calling me to start a blog, but I was hesitant. I’m so glad I took those first steps back in 2013.
Thank you so much for your compliment and encouragement. It means a lot. With God’s help I will keep moving forward. Blessings to you! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing!! Adding your blog to my feedly. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and for your encouragement! Blessings to you!
I’m so glad you conquered the fear, or at least began to! 🙂
I love connecting with you!
Me, too, Carol. There is still a touch of fear sometimes, but I’m learning to trust God more and more as I follow His leading. I love connecting with you, too! Many blessings to you!