Allume Recap: What I've Learned Thus Far

I can’t begin to tell you all that has been going on in my mind since this time last week.  I have driven on new roads, met so many amazing new people, and had so many new thoughts.  All this newness has me spinning and scheming.  I’m trying to make sense of it all and determining how to settle it all down into relationships and words and projects. 

Some of the responsible parties for this space existing! The Better Writers!

I’ve laughed, taken notes, hugged, mugged, and cried.  There may have even been some ugly crying – IN PUBLIC!  Some may have even happened on videotape that might be shown to thousands of others.  I experienced to full range of me last weekend.  I think many others also experienced the full range of me, too.  Bet you weren’t prepared for that if you were the recipient!  I hope though that none of it came as a shock.

I hope that I was exactly who people expected.  

If not, then I need to do some serious self-examination on the places that I am wearing a mask or putting on a show.

I was asked by one speaker, “Am I going to be a learner?”  Would I take everything I’d been given and put it to use?  When I showed her the title of my blog she said, “What a horrible name!  Now you HAVE to do it.”

Here are a few of the things I learned:

Bloggers with more readers are just that.  They aren’t bigger bloggers.  They don’t have stylists or entourages; they stand outside their hotel room at night in pajamas and bare feet.  Their jeans get faded and frayed.  They show the same enthusiasm for seeing the distant, separated friendships shrink to mere inches.  Some may even be as excited to meet you as you are to meet them.  (This was a huge shock and one that had me totally taken aback.)

Only truly good words come when good time is spent in The Word.  I can’t write out of a life that is hanging on by a thread and my own efforts.  That is a poor reflection of a life and will show dimly.  This doesn’t mean that life has to be easy and cheerful, but it does need to be lived out grounded on knees and scripture.

I need to do the hard work before me.  This includes the dishes and laundry, but also includes planning, clarifying my purpose, and being diligent to provide something worthy of your time.  This work will require all of me – mind, body and spirit.  Pray that I am up to the challenge.

There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything that crosses my mind to do, and some of that time needs to be given to those tasks that I don’t want to think about.  Priorities need to be set and followed.  Only then will I have freedom to be flexible.

Many more will take the shape of my words, plans, and daily life and will be known only be me, but will affect all that you see from me.  I have much more to process and this is all I’m really able to share with you now. 

I want to begin November with an offering of daily thanks.  This day I am thankful for having come through a week of extreme highs and lows and still standing with my feet on the firm foundation that is Christ and His love in times of storm and times of refreshing.

What have you learned lately that is changing your life in some way?  What are you giving thanks for today?

Linking up at Debi at FunkiPlanet.com with all the other amazing Allume gals.