The gift of encouragement

I never want to underestimate the simple gift of encouragement.

A kind word warms the heart.

A smile lightens a load. 

A listening ear and a nod of the head tells others they matter. 

Just being there tells others they are not alone. 

I wonder what God will do today through you and me today with the simple gift of encouragement?

How to Connect With Your Newspaper Column's Readers | eHow.com

How to Connect With Your Newspaper Column's Readers | eHow.com

How to Appreciate Your Editors | eHow.com

How to Appreciate Your Editors | eHow.com

Seven-minute challenge: lunch boxes

I learned this technique in a writing class taught by award-winning author Colleen Reece: take paper and pen. Listen to a writing prompt. Next, write as fast as you can for seven minutes.

Wasn't easy at first. I edited. Re-wrote. Crossed out sentences. Took a couple of weeks until, finally, I got it.

The weekly challenge turned out to be lucrative. Eventually, the finished products provided articles for magazines that sold at least four times.  That's what we writers refer to as "milk money". 

How about giving it a go? You've got nothing to lose. And you might be surprised to see how creative you could be in such a short amount of time.

Ready? Here's today's seven-minute challenge: 

My favorite lunch box ___________.

A little pencil in the big hands of a writing God,

Judy

Kind words from Capital City reader

We writers love to hear from readers, don't we?  And positive feedback is especially encouraging! 

That happened yesterday when I opened an e-mail from Johna, a Capital City Weekly reader. She felt uplifted from this week's column that focuses on showing appreciation for others.

Johna and her boyfriend live that purpose. They offer kindnesses to each other and those they care about.  The result? They're sharing God's love in practical ways. And hopefully that will encourage them to do the same, she wrote.

Kudos to them! 

Southeast Alaska has some bright spots this time of year, coming from people like Johna and her honey.

I think we need more Johna's in this world. Don't you?

A little pencil in the big hands of a writing God,

Judy

Share it, please!

Dear writers,

Do you have something on your heart you'd like to write about-- but you're afraid? Then please: do it anyway. Don't worry whether or not it's good enough. Don't worry about what others will say.

Perhaps you could share about:

• a favorite childhood incident;
• an unexpected kindness;
• aroma of your favorite supper while it cooked;
• your favorite childhood book;
• heartaches from losing loved ones; and
  
• wonder of new life.

What you have to write matters. It really does. And your words just might be what someone has been needing to read. Don't be afraid.

I hope this encourages you.

A little pencil in the big hands of a writing God,

Judy