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}
Saving lives daily…did that yesterday. Thomas fell off a little retaining wall in my parents front yard and I caught him by the arm. Seriously, it was like in the movies. He was just dangling there.
This has me even more excited about Allume!! :)
OOOh you and your awesome words. Yes, saving lives daily. Amen. This is the crazy truth of motherhood–of friendship even. Excellent.
I love, love, love the connections and friendships I’ve made through blogging. So many beautiful people I never would have “met” otherwise.
Connect is such an important word to me…such a valuable concept to live in. Communication is a huge part of what i am, what i do, and if i don’t have others to connect with, well, i’m a duck out of water!
Mark is always great to connect with me – even too much sometimes! he’ll call on a break, or when he’s driving to say hello and see how my day is, just to touch base. In this season of living apart (he’s at a new job, I’m with the “old” house) we have to connect on several levels – personally, house stuff here, house stuff there…but we don’t get to connect deeper – and I miss that.
I’m at a conference this week on Global Leadership – and it’s all about connecting with each other. I’m attending with our church – at a neighboring church – so we stand out – this large group, connecting and discussing thoughts and ideas. but the thing that runs behind it all for me is how much i’m going to MISS them all in just a few short weeks!
i’m grateful for the internet, social media, and basic telephone – knowing that i’ll get to continue to connect with them…
STOP
It’s amazing how many wonderful connections I’ve made through blogging. Some I’ve met in person but many …not yet. But what a wonderful source of love and encouragement!
Thanks for hosting Five Minute Friday. It’s been such a wonderful writing exercise and a great way to connect with new blogging friends.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
It’s my very 1st Five Min Friday! Lisa-Jo, thank you so much for such a fun exercise and beautiful community to share it with. I’m blessed! :)
Beautiful thoughts on motherhood. Thanks for hosting these every Friday. Such a wonderful free write assignment shared with other Christians.
Wow. You are right. This resonated with me, “we save lives on a daily basis.” That is so true. And with the same smile I smile to myself because I do do that…catch someone from falling, cook them food that isn’t poisonous, turn off their lava lamp so it doesn’t burn down the house, lock the door so the toddler doesn’t wander out to the street…..I also remember what it feels like to not be able to do that. That’s what losing a baby feels like….like you couldn’t save his life. And since we do this on a daily basis, why, oh why, couldn’t I kiss my little babe in that isolette and breathe the life into him I so dearly wanted him to have.
Ugh. Tugging at my heartstrings, Lisa-Jo. I loved reading your post. Thank you for helping me heal…..do you know you do that?
xoxo
So glad that you are healing from such a powerful loss and disconnection. Praying for the most powerful Hope to continue to work in your heart in those deep places that no one else can reach. Blessings sent your way!
Shay
CONNECT…
The opposite of connect is disconnect- and this is what I feel, a deep disconnect, a severing by decisions made be one I am supposed to be most connected to above everyone else, the one that I should be connected to in vow, relationship, body, and spirit. This disconnect has made me lose sleep all week, anxious over how to fix the mess that has been left behind, and hurting in deep places that even my tears can’t seem to express.
All my heart knows, all my spirit knows, is that I am still connected to the One who says nothing can disconnect me from Him. My name is engraved in His hand, and our connection is one that He alone holds- not life, not death, not circumstance, or overwhelming bills, or the pain of lies and deceit can break this connection. Oh my soul, bless the Lord…
STOP
Lisa-Jo, I loved this. I feel like blogging has save my life on a daily basis for the last year. Because of the people I’ve met and the connections I’ve made, and the wisdom I’ve read. Thankful for you creating this community. And for being in the business of saving lives.
I love the prompt word for this week 5 minute Friday. Connect. That’s what we need in our life. Connecting with God spiritually and connecting with others in our life. So thankful for connections I have now!
Hi! I enjoyed your Five Minute Fridays last week that even if I’m a bit late, I still posted my five minute write-up on your word prompt. I tried to link it up here but apparently made some mistake somewhere as it doesn’t link up even if the title of my post appears (#220 Connect the Dots). Should I link up again?
HI my name is Erin Olson. I have never blogged ever. I was told about this site from a friend and thought why not give it a try!