Monday, February 11, 2019

It's a Process

**Photo taken by Melissa Talbot**


Life, itself, is a process. You grow, experience, and change in line with what life brings your way which can be challenging, frustrating, and heartbreaking. Resilience through those things, to persevere and overcome, can make all the difference.

I used to think that as you got older, life would get easier. As a woman in my forties, while knowing what I want and don't want has been valuable at this season in my life, it's been anything but easy.

Especially when I took the step into book writing. I fell into my passion for writing in 2016 and never looked back. I knew it was something I was meant to do. 

However, nothing could have prepared me for what lay in the process of putting my life onto paper. More specifically, how profound the journey would be.

Writing about something I determined to leave behind was far more unnerving than anticipated. Revisiting dark times filled with addictions and abuses was a bit more than I bargained for, or was it?

I firmly believe that God not only placed this passion in my heart to put 'pen to paper', but that He wanted it to count by helping others. 

I already knew that would mean complete exposure in a real and vulnerable way. So be it. While I might be hesitant to bare it all, it's those years of destruction and heartbreak that compel me to keep going. 

My past is not my present. It does not dictate who I am today. It does reveal clues as to why things happened the way they did for a significant number of years. This is hard. It's exhausting. 

My past messes with my head and makes me question the present. What comes into my mind doesn't reflect my true self so I flick it out and power down my computer for the day. Until next time.

Monday, January 14, 2019

This Is It



It's time. Time to smile at and wave good bye to the commitment I will be fulfilling at the end of this week - mat leave cover for one year - and take hold of my passion for writing. Time to give my dreams wings. To turn my back on doubt so that this relentless determination can become real, bold and vulnerable.

It's all or nothing as I make way for the next season - Chameleon. A book about some of the darkest years of my life. A time without peace, joy or hope. A journey of abuse, addictions and self-destruction that almost took my life.

Yet, I made it through and it is my hope that my painful account will help others avoid what I didn't. And for those who were unable to steer clear of things, it will be an encouragement that life holds something more than hurt. My story is intense, eye-opening and heartbreaking.

No regrets. No looking back. I'm all in to travel a road that holds an unknown outcome, yet is forged by someone who knows every outcome. Therefore, I'm not afraid or intimidated by what lies ahead.

Instead, I'm buckling up for this wild ride and greeting adventure with a kiss as I holler, "Giddy-up!"

Check in for posts about my writing journey along the way and a sneak peak of my book cover. Then stay tuned for my work to make its debut this spring/summer.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Keep It To Yourself

**Photo of my grandpa's boat shored at Big River, 
Saskatchewan, during a fishing trip in 1984.**

'Mind your own business', 'Bite your lip', 'Don't rock the boat', 'Keep your opinions to yourself'. These are just some of the sayings that we will hear when a viewpoint isn't welcome, prior to it being shared in a group.

But, what if the words you're about to say didn't make up an opinion but a perspective born from years lived and wisdom learned? What if your words were filled with love and concern, expressed through dialogue?

While many, particularly young people, might balk at the mention of the words, "In my experience...", there is something to be said for a timely insertion of well intentioned quips.

Especially if the person wanting to speak up has felt a deep concern and conviction for the person who they see as heading in an unsavory direction. A person you are close to and deeply love.

While the words might come easily and your audience might be rolling their eyes, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you need to say what's on your heart or risk regret. I have had many situations like that.

Yet, as difficult as it may be to say what you desire to say, you take the risk and express your thoughts as gently and loving as possible. Whether the other party will receive it all in kind is unknown, but your conscience is clear and your heart less burdened.

When you have the opportunity to speak wisdom into the life of someone who may be heading down a road you've been down - knowing the outcome - do it. Love should trump the fear of going against the 'norm' of keeping it to yourself.

Jesus was a man who never kept things to Himself. He always shared the wisdom He had accumulated over His short life from His Father. That wisdom always paid dividends to those who battled with sin - in every form.

If Christ had the courage and conviction to speak out because of His love for others, why not us? Whether it means being disliked or rejected, you never know when what you have to say, might just help the life of another.

Encouragement for the week:

Saying something urgent that's on your heart isn't wrong when it's out of love that you say it. It means you care enough about someone to risk backlash from others.

If you are a Christian reading this, you know that one thing God created you to obtain is wisdom. A wisdom that is well exercised and expressed when given the opportunity to help others. Don't let others shame you out of making a possible difference in a loved ones' life for the better.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. A relationship with Christ will enable you to gather the wisdom you wish you always had. You are gleaning it from the One who wants the best for your life. You can trust Jesus.