Five Minute Friday: Opportunity

by | Jan 4, 2013 | Five Minute Friday | 72 comments

Kick off your blogging year with a flash mob of writers at #FiveMinuteFriday —>Click to Tweet that.

Where a beautiful crowd spends five minutes all writing on the same topic and then sharing ’em over here. It’s like free writing therapy for the tongue-tied, tired, or blocked blogger. And boy have I missed you guys.

How to Join:

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

Featured Five Minute Friday:

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! Hop on over and visit some folk who make fireworks in just five minutes. They inspire me.

What They’re Saying:

I also have some Five Minute Friday stories from participants I love to share each week – I can never get over the community that has grown up over a five minute writing exercise. If you’ve got a story then just shoot me an email.

Because, as it turns out. Writing regularly and for even five minutes stolen here and there during early mornings or late evenings or during nap times and any fringe moments one can carve out can be free therapy for any writer’s soul.

So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.

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..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

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

Opportunity…

GO

We think of beginnings as a time to pound out old rugs. Run rags over finger print smudged windows. Change the flowers. Vacuum under the furniture. Fling the windows open to some fresh air. We think of beginnings as significant opportunities waiting to be unwrapped. But it’s the finishing, it’s the finishing that can ache with opportunity.

Because all that gusto, all those clean rooms, all those hours carved out for writing will unravel without a strong end. To keep going. To push through and not worry to much about the mess. To see the finish line and get across it no matter how awkward. That is opportunity worth grabbing onto with both hands.

In the newness I don’t want to lose sight of the end. The old is less attractive, less enticing with promises of clean slates. I’ll take my cracked up one from the old year thank you and keep right on writing in bold strokes across it. I am not done yet. I am finishing.

Every new year. I am still finishing. Not time or projects or the clothes I should have sorted for the Salvation army. But me. I am finishing and relishing the hard work. Years like sunsets pour over us – glorious, with the promise of the chance to keep at it tomorrow.

To just keep at it.
::
STOP

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



72 Comments

  1. Her Household Rhythm
    Her Household Rhythm on January 4, 2013 at 1:56 am

    Thank you for hosting this “opportunity”! I tried to comment on the person ahead of me but it appears to be private? I am going to comment on another, but wanted to share with you.

  2. Sheila
    Sheila on January 4, 2013 at 2:10 am

    This is a new perspective for me. The end of things is not only that, the end. It is an opportunity to push further, to keep on, to relish on the hard work done.

    It’s my first time on Five Minute Friday. What a great way to practice writing and to find new perspective on things.

  3. Jen
    Jen on January 4, 2013 at 2:48 am

    I love this! I wanted to write about our ending as a new beginning, but it is too involved, and I still don’t think I have a leave pass to divulge all the details.

    Is there no link anymore? Or can I just not see it? Ha.

    • Lizzy
      Lizzy on January 4, 2013 at 4:50 am

      My vision also fails me – can’t find the link either :/

      • Lisa-Jo
        Lisa-Jo on January 4, 2013 at 9:28 am

        Sorry ladies, not sure what happened, but it’s back now – bad linky, bad bad linky!

        • MrsHLBjr (Jennifer)
          MrsHLBjr (Jennifer) on January 4, 2013 at 9:39 am

          I still don’t see it. Where would I find it?

          • Lisa-Jo
            Lisa-Jo on January 4, 2013 at 9:41 am

            You may need to refresh your browser, but I pinky promise it’s there now…

        • Michele
          Michele on January 4, 2013 at 5:50 pm

          Bad linky! // Hahaha!

  4. Claire
    Claire on January 4, 2013 at 4:25 am

    I’m so glad these are back! I can’t find the linky though – hope I can later!

    • Claire
      Claire on January 4, 2013 at 4:30 am

      I found the linky! :) Only seemed to be on the FMF page.

  5. Karen
    Karen on January 4, 2013 at 6:16 am

    Oh I am so glad the new year has arrived and you are back. I have missed my Friday writing prompts. Looking forward to the opportunity to write with you guys each Friday. Happy New Year.

  6. Kris
    Kris on January 4, 2013 at 6:38 am

    How I’ve missed this exercise–and your five minute writes! I love this perspective, I love the way your persevere!!

  7. Tammy Skipper (@Tammy_Skipper)
    Tammy Skipper (@Tammy_Skipper) on January 4, 2013 at 7:57 am

    I swear it seems like it takes me five minutes to get the first sentence out but I love these, thank you so much for giving us the prompts!

  8. Jennifer
    Jennifer on January 4, 2013 at 8:34 am

    Thanks for the opportunity. This is my first time to link up- though the link disappeared for me, too.

  9. Jen U
    Jen U on January 4, 2013 at 8:55 am

    WHEEE! I did it. I posted one. (bringing brave – oneword365 from 2012 into the new year). so … now headed over to my work laptop, then a quiet Friday night to reflect on the opportunity presented by all you lovely writing ladies. HAPPY FRIDAY!

    • Lisa-Jo
      Lisa-Jo on January 4, 2013 at 9:29 am

      Whoot whoot!

  10. Kim
    Kim on January 4, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Linky tool? Can’t seem to find it. Glad to see FMF back-you inspire us all!

  11. Kim A.
    Kim A. on January 4, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I can’t find the linky! Can someone help me please? :-)

  12. Amy Hunt
    Amy Hunt on January 4, 2013 at 9:16 am

    Yes!

  13. Alecia
    Alecia on January 4, 2013 at 9:17 am

    I’m having trouble finding the linky as well!! Am I overlooking it, did everyone else find it?

    • Amy Pederson
      Amy Pederson on January 4, 2013 at 9:24 am

      Nope, I don’t see the link anywhere either?!

      • Lisa-Jo
        Lisa-Jo on January 4, 2013 at 9:44 am

        Sorry about that. No clue why linkytools spazzed out on us today. But here in the comments is more than welcome as well!

    • Lisa-Jo
      Lisa-Jo on January 4, 2013 at 9:44 am

      Welcome!!

  16. Sylvia R
    Sylvia R on January 4, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Wow, it’s so good to get back to 5MF! I hadn’t been here for a while before your break, so it’s been a while. What a blessing this morning has been because of it! Thanks, Lisa Jo!

  19. Sherry
    Sherry on January 4, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Hi I couldn’t wait till you got back. I am lovin’ this Flash Mob! Here’s my link…
    http://myjourneyback-thejourneyback.blogspot.com/
    There must be something goin’ on with blogger I couldn’t upload a photo either.
    I’ll visit the others from the comments.
    See ya’ll here next week.
    Let’s visit during the week too! Come see me and I’ll come see you!
    Blessings,
    Sherry

  20. Kim A.
    Kim A. on January 4, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Apparently Linky and I are not on speaking terms today, so here’s my link:

    http://onerebelheart.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/opportunity/

    And now back to cleaning up the Great Washing Machine flood of 2013…. I’m sure you’ll be reading about it in my blog once it has become a funny story and is no longer a complete aggravation. :-)

  21. Jennifer
    Jennifer on January 4, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Okay, I just needed to hear this today–to keep grabbing that old slate . . . working steadfastly toward finishing, knowing that this is where the opportunity for growth and increased faith lies. “To just keep at it.” Thank you.

  22. Ashley
    Ashley on January 4, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Oh my goodness, how I needed your message this morning, Lisa-Jo. Keepin’ at it. Thanks for the encouragement.

  23. Stacey
    Stacey on January 4, 2013 at 10:39 am

    Well, I see others are having trouble linking….That piece seemed to work fine for me, but I’ve visited 3 different link ups and tried to post a comment, and no matter the method I choose, it says my credentials can’t be verified….poo, I promise I’m real….lol!!! ;)
    {{ hugs }}

  29. Barbie
    Barbie on January 4, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    Oh I love this!

  33. Fiona
    Fiona on January 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    ohhh lovely Lisa-Jo!! I think we can all survive without the linky – don’t you worry :-) Have yourself a wonderful weekend. xx

    • Kim A.
      Kim A. on January 4, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      You are supposed to click on the person who posted right before you, which in this case would be Aly, read her post and leave some encouragement in the comments. :-)

    • Sue
      Sue on January 4, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Elizabeth,
      This isn’t how it usually looks : ) just find someone’s link to their site and read what they wrote and leave some encouragement. I’ll find you and leave you some as well… Maybe by next week all will be working!
      PS, sign into your wordpress account before you read someone’s link, it will help with verification.
      Sue – theunfinishedchild.wordpress.com

  38. Jamie
    Jamie on January 4, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Yay! I’m so happy for the return of FMF!

  45. Dolly@Soulstops
    Dolly@Soulstops on January 4, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Happy New Year, Lisa-Jo…Thanks for hosting 5mF and for the reminder to finish well…praying your book writing is continuing at a good pace :)

  47. Natasha
    Natasha on January 4, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    To keep at it. We must never lose heart when we don’t keep those resolutions or get behind on things because life happens. When life happens, those are the opportunities when God can use us the most. Not in losing 10 lbs or getting organized. Its the insanity of the kids fighting, the car breaking down, the roof leaking, or what ever chaos life brings that God can use use and mold us the most.

  52. LadyInRead
    LadyInRead on January 5, 2013 at 1:34 am

    thank you for hosting… love this exercise.. your perspective on opportunity is a fresh approach – love it.. endings..

  53. Jessie Gunderson
    Jessie Gunderson on January 5, 2013 at 2:06 am

    Oh how I needed this reminder today!! “To push through and not worry to much about the mess. To see the finish line and get across it no matter how awkward. That is opportunity worth grabbing onto with both hands.”

    I’ve got something I KNOW the Lord wants me to finish. Every time I try to brush Him away or justify that I can’t, after all I have tons of great excuses and no one would disagree, I ask him thinking the answer might change and He patiently and quietly confirms, “Just finish.”

    I’ve been whining and avoiding and side stepping. It’s time to finish!

  57. Donna
    Donna on January 5, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Nearly 200 Five Minute Friday-ers! How awesome is that :0)> I wonder…what’s the record? I remember way back when there were just a hand full. I did not really participate much then but i read and was so blessed! off to check out some Five Minute Friends!

  58. Phyllis Lipford
    Phyllis Lipford on January 6, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Glad to be back.
    2013 Blessings everyone.
    Don’t miss the beautiful … look for it everyday in every way.

  59. Jade Crabtree
    Jade Crabtree on January 8, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    I too have a blog entitled IT’S ME!!!, where I share my “God-sized Dreams” thoughts!!! I want to share my own thoughts and struggles and let people know that they CAN MESS-UP and God WON’T mind!!!

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