It’s a #FiveMinuteFriday!

Where a beautiful crowd spends five minutes all writing on the same topic and then sharing ’em over here.

Want to know how Five Minute Friday got started and how to participate? All the details are here.

And every week I’ll pick a post that caught my eye and share it down there in my side bar – see where it says “Featured Five Minute Friday”? Yea -that could be you!

I also have some Five Minute Friday stories from readers I’m going to start sharing with you each week – they’ve meant so much to me and really, they’re because of you. So thank you – for loving on each other so well.

This one’s from Britni – who adapted it to her workplace – and kind of took my breath away:

I recently took over a department where the employees experienced extensive turmoil, both professionally and in their personal life—anything from dealing with death, alcoholism, drug abuse, and serious health and family issues. On my first Friday in the Department I knew something needed to be done, the employees needed a major boost. I have short and long term plans, but needed something immediate. That’s when I checked my email and saw the Five Minute Friday email from you. I read it and KNEW I had a solution.

I’ve now instituted Five Minute Friday in our department and the responses I receive nearly bring me to tears every time (and I’m not even a crier… ;). ) Not only  does it give me so much insight into these wonderful people, it amazes me how they reach out to encourage each other upon reading the other’s thoughts. Some were leery at first, but they seem to be embracing it and I feel that we, as a whole, are drawing together as a more cohesive team due to the openness and encouragement.

Amazing, isn’t it, what one little writing exercise can do for the heart.

Got a FMF story you want to share – just shoot me an email thegypsymama1(at)gmail(dot)com.

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:::

Connect…

:

GO

So I come to a conference made up entirely of my people. These war torn weary women who know what 3am smells like. This collection of stories all packed into a room to share the fever that drives, that excites, that exhilarates and that burns us right out. These cool embers smoldering with a  purpose as a thousand moms tune ear to heaven to hear the well done, to feel the encouragement to grab on for the next leg of the race.

You can feel it – the camaraderie of the brave. How they hold onto each other for just that second longer. How they nod and know and don’t have to use words to make you feel heard.

This carnival of the human raisers, they raise the roof with praise and the bathroom stalls with their high heels. So many sweat pant evenings discarded in exchange for a moment being the you before you had kids. And also of course, the you that loves them enough to travel and teach and learn and listen and applaud the work of your colleagues – mothers in arms.

We are utterly unique even though our stories may hamster wheel in circles. We live a kaleidoscope and save lives on a daily basis.

But some days we step through our computer screens and link hands and say “you can do it” in person and it’s like so much chocolate cake shared between sisters.

OK, show me what you got! {Subscribers, you can just click here to come over and play along}