This post is written to link with Five Minute Friday: write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. The prompt today is “own”.
A couple of weeks ago I received an email, asking if I would consider writing a book endorsement!
This was a complete surprise to me. I definitely didn’t feel qualified or that my words would count for anything. However, given the subject matter and the person asking, I was more than happy to read the book, and, having read it, I was delighted to write an endorsement.
More on the book soon, but click here for a sneak peek!
The point of this post is that after I had sent the endorsement, the writer responded asking what information I would like shared along with the endorsement. Would I like only first name to be shared? Would I like it linked to my blog?
I had no hesitation in responding, saying that of course she could link to my blog and I was happy for her to use my full name. I was more than happy to own my words.
It was one of those moments that caused me to stop and reflect on all that God has done over the last seven and a half years since I began blogging and how far I’ve come.
If you’ve been around since the start, you’ll know that I blogged under a pseudonym for the first year. Then I began gradually taking tentative steps forward – using my first name, sharing a photo, talking about my writing to people I know in real life…
Step by step I have become more confident with owning my words and owning my story.
What’s more, I can see how that has happened not only in my writing but in life. In general, I am much more willing to share my thoughts and opinions, to believe that I have something worthwhile to say.
If you’re struggling to own your words and own your story, don’t give up! Keep on going! Often our progress can be so slow that we don’t even notice. Then one day we turn around and look at the path we’ve travelled and realise all those baby steps have added up.
Know that your story matters, and keep going, one step at a time.
Life in the Spacious Place 
I get bored with my own story,
and all its twists and bends,
so here I’ll write of something furry,
one of my dearest canine friends,
who came to us two weeks ago,
in trouble, with no choice.
We thought Buster would take it slow,
but he quickly found his voice
to be full member of the pack
(fifteen, at most recent tally).
He’s doing great, and won’t go back
from making himself vital ally
to Barb and me, to each broad Pittie,
and even, yes, pal to the kitty.
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Sounds like a great new addition to your family!
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okay, I loved Andrew’s reply….you can see his love for his animals. 🙂
But more so, let me say thank you for that encouragement. It takes time occasionally, to say yes, these words are mine. 🙂 FMF6
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I always enjoy Andrew’s replies! And thank you, I’m glad the post encouraged you.
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What a wonderful testimony, Lesley, and very encouraging to hear!
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Thanks, Lisa!
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Yes, in looking back over my own blogging I can see how I found my voice, and I own it now! 😁
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I love how you share your own testimony of baby steps on your writing journey. And then I am loving even more how you are encouraging others to keep taking baby steps to share their words.
Congratulations 💜🌸🧡on your book endorsement!
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What a wonderful encouragement to us, and celebration of how far you’ve come! Thank you for sharing! Visiting from FMF#8 – sorry it took me until Monday to read the Friday posts!
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I love your words, learn from your words and am inspired by your words. God uses them regularly to touch me and many others and that dear Lesley, is definitely worth owning!!
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This is a beautiful testimony to owning our stories and our words. It’s sometimes difficult to decide how much to share or not share online. Discernment can be a moving target. But using wisdom and grace, sharing in these online spaces can be so helpful!
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