Challenge

Fred Devito said, "If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you."   

Kelly Clarkson sings it this way, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/a fighter."

Or for you Barbie fans, "If I wasn't meant to fly, I wouldn't have these wings."

We are meant to fly, to learn, to grow. We cannot know the joy if we never experience the sorrow. We cannot know our inner strength until it is tested.

What are some of your challenges from yesteryears? How did they help shape you? What challenges are you facing right now?

A couple of years ago, an author that I was following like a good fangirl does, posted that she was taking down her work and would henceforth write under another name because of all the criticism to the writing she had posted.

I was devastated. I thought her writing, though rough--as she stated prior to each posting, was brilliant. I particularly loved her extensive vocabulary, her strong female characters, and the witty dialogue. I still go back occasionally to her stories I have on my Kindle, and, yes, every blue moon I do a search to see if I can find her. Fractional success there.

We don't know another's path or challenges. Our criticism of the small part could be a tipping point.

My challenge to all of us is to encourage rather than criticize, to listen instead of ignore, to offer kindness and a smile rather than an obscenity.

I also know YOU have amazing gifts and talents to share. Sure, you may just be starting out, but don't give up.

Be a fighter. Learn what you need to learn and SHARE your gifts.

I'll end with a beautiful quote from Helen Walton, "It's not what you gather but what you scatter..."

Scatter sunshine.

The Value of Learning

The Grand Canyon
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

Learning should be a life-long process. It not only expands our minds, but also our opportunities.

With the advent of the internet, we have access to learning like never before. We can sit at the virtual feet of philosopher's masters or watch instructions to correctly order our Jeep's spark plugs. We can take a tour of a foreign land or landmark at the stroke of a key. We can even follow our lineage back many generations.

Websites that share learning abound, both free and for pay. Inspiration is everywhere.

Writer's Digest is one of my favorite writing how-to resources. Second to that, but not quite as accessible in a timely manner is writing conferences: particularly ANWA's Time Out for Writers. Books are available as are blogs and websites to help you improve (see which book we're talking about this month over on the Five Pages blog. Your local library may also host workshops on a variety of topics.

Where do you want to go? What did you learn today?

Whatever it is, Learn On, my friends!