During the month of October I’m spending 31 days writing about writing.
But, truth is, some days I don’t feel like writing.
Some days I’m exhausted and there are still bowls of Cheerios in the sink from breakfast come time to make supper. Some days I wish I could crawl back into bed and watch hours of old re-runs of Friends. Some days I want to spend hours in the bath with a good book.
But I have to feed them kids. I have to wash them clothes. I have to let that dog out.
So if I want to be a writer, some days I have to write whether I feel like it or not.
Come join #FiveMinuteFriday because you *are* a writer <–Click to Tweet this
Where a beautiful crowd spends five minutes all writing on the same topic and then sharing ’em over here. Where we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
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.
Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
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? In the spirit of welcoming the 31 Dayers to join us, won’t you please give me your best five minutes on:::
Race…
Some days are a blur of blankets and mattresses and these boys with no common sense hurtling through the air and out of their skins with the fun of it. I hear myself say inane things over and over again. Like “be careful” or “slow down” or “what are you thinking?” And what’s the point because the race and chase is built into their little bodies.
But me. I can choose to be slow even while I’m watching them hurtle. I can choose to leave the dishes, close the computer, put away the phone and focus on these speeding children. I can stop tweeting, I can tune in. I can forget the chaos and choose to see the life that is streaking by in front of me.
I can stop running. I can sit down.I can put up my feet and open my arms. I can actually read that book about the bunny one more time. I can.
I can choose to race or I can choose to be still. With that green box of old toys and the baby mattress no one uses anymore both in the living room next to me. I can let them play. And I can stop sighing at the chaos that erupts with each new toy, each new shout of delight, each new costume change.
I can slow down till I see it all and am more than just a referee in my own life.
I can live the loud slow moments with them.
:
STOP
OK, show us what you got! {Subscribers, you can just click here to come over and play along}
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Oh Lisa-Jo. I’d just love to sit for a few minutes in that “slow down” with you and watch our boys run wild together.
It’s so important to slow down, and truly capture those moments. I wish I had known that when my children were little…really little. Thankfully< I've learned it now…while they are still here and their hearts are still open for my time and love. Thank you for this beautiful inspiration to other Moms…..
Oh, how I love that last line you wrote…. >> I can live the loud slow moments with them.<< this is where the finest memories are made. :~) So glad to be here again! Thank you for gathering us here to write alongside you!
Yep, loving it all with you, Lisa-Jo. Thank you for this beautiful invitation to join here, letting our words, our choosing to look, slow us down.
this–and you–are breaths of fresh air.
and the image of life streaking by? little boy perfection:)
loud slow moments….yes. they’re worth striving for…
loved this.
Aaahh – the loud slow moments… those are the BEST, aren’t they? LOVED this! So happy I stumbled upon you… this blog… and this amazing Community of writers! Joined in on #FMFParty tonight too! <3
~Karrilee~
“More than just a referee in my own life”… I love that! What a description! And unfortunately, what a reality for so many of us. At least, I know it is for me. Choosing to ref more than I choose to play. I’m not a mom but I can identify with the struggle of choosing to be still or enjoy the moment. A great reminder. Thanks, Lisa-Jo! :) So glad to finally join you all on FMF!
More than the writing and the act of creating tonight… I’m just enjoying clicking onto others’ entries and letting wave after wave of grace-filled refreshment wash me back up to my feet. How grateful I am for this space you’ve created, Lisa-Jo… thank you.
I want to stop and take in the loud, slow moments. Had so much fun at the #FMFParty tonight!
I slowed down to read this, and I’m hoping to let it soak today. I am in need of a little more slow these days. Also–I’m enjoying your 31 days, And can’t wait to hug your neck at Allume. For real. ;) XOXO
oh I’ve missed Five Minute Friday! Jumping back on the band wagon! These are good, good words….the race of life, never ends, but YES I CAN stop and smell the roses!
Beautiful. So important to be intentional about about the races we choose to run in. And at what pace we choose to run them.
Thank you for your words about writing and being mom. My boy is 13 (and girls are 10 and 7) and the blur including getting a ukelele yesterday and photographing American Girl dolls jumping into a leaf pile. As they get more and more independent it is more and more tempting to NOT slow down and be with them, but still so important. Thank you.
I love that you recognize that you have choices. Yes, life can be very hectic. But you choose to slow down and listen and read and to be present in the moment with your children.
I also wanted to thank you for Five Minute Fridays. It’s been such a good exercise for me to do. I’m surprised at times what comes out in my writings. Thank you Lisa-Jo.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I like you, “I can choose to be slow…” I often have to tell myself that – especially with my mind going to a fro… Bless you and have a fabulous weekend :)
Thanks for pointing out that WE do have the choice to slow things down … Most of the time life feels like a tidal wave that carries me along!
You have a God-given talent. Even in the days you don’t feel like writing, you capture “mom-life” so eloquently – with simple pictures. I could take a picture of the unfolded laundry at my feet, but it wouldn’t look as glamorous as your abandoned Flinstone cars….
Yes, yes. Slow down, live in those loud moments. Be still in them because stillness will settle sooner than you know, and you’ll treasure the memories. xoxo
Another amazing FMF entry, Lisa Jo! I’m always inspired by your insight! “Race and chase” is the story of my life! Thank you for the beautiful reminder to slow down and take it all in while I can! Thank you!
Just curious….is anyone else having trouble posting their FMF entries today? I tried earlier by clicking the link at the bottom of LJ’s entry, but it’s not taking me to the linky tool page! Am I doing something wrong or going to the wrong place? Thanks for any help!
‘I can slow down till I see it all and am more than just a referee in my own life.’
It is letting go of this referee in my own life. When we are in this race and we can’t see the way, but we know the end!
Thank you for the opportunity to link up here, even though I broke some of the rules:(
I have been enjoying your encouragement to write our stories as I have been writing about this challenge as well.
Thank you.
i am constantly telling myself this very thing! “slow down self, be present in the moment and not rushing to the next!”
my recent post: to finish the race strong
“I can slow down till I see it all and am more than just a referee in my own life.” yes!
Thank you for the reminder!
Hi Lisa- I tried the 5 Minute blog post inspired by my friend Ashley- thanks for a fun exercise and I look forward to connecting more-
Cornelia Becker Seigneur- Writer Mom of 5 !