I have to let you know how I am thoroughly enjoying myself. Sharing my little big stories is something I never really thought I would be doing at the age of 20- something. Ya-ya, Okay. I know that statement has you wondering what her beauty regime looks like?
When I jumped into writing, or should I say when my sister, Tan-yah let me know, your web page is done. I looked and felt like a fish on dry land. My mind raced a million miles an hour. How, when, what and who?
I wish I could say that once I get started to write, it goes quite easily. But I can honestly understand what writers mean when they frustratingly would declare the pains of having writers block.
On the good days, I think Dora from Finding Nemo is my spirit animal with a two second memory and a good ol’ continuous muttering to myself “Just keep swimming – just keep swimming” on the best of days.
When I started to plan some topics for my blog, I could very easily jot down a list of things to write about. I proudly proclaimed I can post every day for the next 2 yrs. At least! Well let me tell you it’s quite easy to plan a topic. When the time comes to write my brain would take on the scenario of the lights being on but no one is home and one can hear a very lonesome Cricket playing his tune in the background.
I would read through my list and think what was I thinking? What made that now such a wonderful topic if I can barely formulate a sentence let alone a paragraph of words?
Telling my first story, about the Wilson toffees. I actually told Tan-yah the story. If you missed it, click here to read it.
In the same breath I opened up about not knowing what to write. Her words to me were: “Sis that’s the type of things you should write about. You don’t realize how funny you are.” I have a world of ideas and recipes but I wanted my first blog to be something that would entice you so much that you would want to read more. Perhaps even help you forget what is going on in life and enjoy a moment that would capture your imagination. Perhaps even transport you to a funny memory of your own. The pressure was on!
It was easy to write about the toffees. It was easy to share the next story and the next but soon I started to feel the pressure. What if I start to bore you? What if I don’t know what to write about anymore?
I had to make a choice to go on and let it flow. Enjoy the moments or give up. Full Stop.
I chose to continue. My blogs I have posted thus far I enjoyed immensely. I go back and read them over and over. Allowing everything to just flow by opening up my world for everyone. I won’t lie the battle is there and I value my planning capabilities as set out below to write.
Step one. Start your laptop. Oh wait perhaps grabbing some nibbles and a cup of coffee is better step one?
Step two. Look for the charge cable. Battery shows power low.
Step three. Stare at the laptop screen until your eyes feel heavy.
Step four. Take a nap. Come on. You deserve 10 min.
Step five. Wake from said nap and decide to stare some more.
Step six. Best to start dinner and keep on swimming. We will try again tomorrow.
Half of the time that is how it goes. But God is faithful. He always nudges something on last minute dot com along my path and oh boy. Then nothing can stop the words flowing.
I love to hear from you. It helps me know I am on the right track and it makes me even prouder to share, more than you will ever know.
I want to turn the tables to you now. What is holding you back from starting something that you have always wanted to try? It might be big. It might be small. It might look like something insignificant to you. But to someone out there it can mean light in a struggling moment.
Do we allow the fear of failing to stop us from trying? Won’t it be better to say, Oh well it didn’t work but it’s okay or wonder if it would have worked? If I never stepped into the nudges of someone standing behind me cheering me on to get started with this. I would honestly sit here today wondering what if. I had a million and one reasons why a blog would be boring. Why I don’t have the time and why it wouldn’t work.
Life is so short. Are we going to let it all pass us by, where we look back one day and think I should have tried it? No! Step into your dream and take hold of it. You and I, both, are co creators with God. When we speak we create. So stand now and create your dream. Speak life into it. Try and try again.
In the beginning I said that I am your pink tutu-wearing cheerleader with pom poms, rooting for you from the sidelines. Let me know in the comments what dream do you have, that I can help cheer you on with.
Hi Charlene, what a beautiful and honest write up. I love to read your blog. Thank you for keeping on. With covid our little business is struggling to keep afloat and so I thought that I would really love to teach English as a foreign language to children online. There was a huge market and so I did my course, I bought my head set and web cam and even a UPS so that load shedding would not interfere. And then I started applying but only got more discouraged as each time I got an “application unsuccessful” response. Only to find out that China recently changed their law which does not allow companies to offer online English teaching and that is where most of the opportunities were. It is something I would still like to do but don’t know how. I have prayed and asked God where He wants me as right now I am not sure which way. Maybe everything will become clear to me eventually but the waiting is not always easy. At the same time I am grateful for many things I do have.
Dear Michelle,
I’m so sorry to hear that you guys are struggling. I know, with everything that has happened, it has a huge impact on businesses and families. I am definitely praying for God to open a way for you. That your eyes and ears will be sensitive and open to His leading. Never doubt that He is doing just that at this very moment. I will reach out to you on a personal platform with some more information once I can get all my little ducks in a row.
Blessings
Charlene
P.S Isaiah 54 vs 2 and 3 Enlarge your tents … for you will expand to the right and the left.
Hello Lene
Something I have been pushing to the side is my health and studies.
Studies – mostly due to how expensive it is and the fact that I cannot afford to write my exams right now.
Health – also don’t find time to go and see a proper docter for my allergies and thyroid problems. I keep using it as an excuse for my weight gain. I have been exercising for 3 weeks now and I am struggling. So I get demotivated quickly. I feel tired and my surgery knee can’t seem to keep up.
I just want to give up again…
I feel my daily activities keep me so busy that I cannot seem to make time for anything else. There is always something else that requires my attention or finances.
Your stories remind me that we are all just human and that you aren’t the only person struggling with something. It helps to keep me sane in a way, knowing I am not alone. ❤
My Dearest Nikki,
I wish I was a kazillionare to help you achieve your dreams and ambitions. I know how despondent one can feel when everything seems so far out of reach and in between all that life throws you with eggs, lemons and a bag of Brussel sprouts, while you try keep your head above water. Concerning your health-I think try have that looked at first. If you are not healthy it will always be a stumbling block and nothing else can follow. It will be difficult to study or focus on other tasks if you feel tired all the time. And one thing leads to another and all of a sudden you have to walk the line while doing a balancing act in high heels. Getting your daily dose of exercise can never be bad. Look at it from a different angle. Like you said you are only human. Do what you can and be at peace that, that is enough. You will soon find when peace comes, striving stops and you will see how things just flow into place. Allow the “now” moment to just happen and don’t worry about the next step. Set your goals into reachable portions. If you have 1 thing to do in 1 week it is much more obtainable than 20 things in 1 week. if you need R100 for studies. R1 put into savings is already 1 step closer. I will pray with you for supernatural provision for all your needs.
Love you.
You make me so proud. I love you so much..I’m honoured to be your baby sis. Xxx