Sometimes you just need to sit down, reflect, and decide on what needs to change. That’s a hard process. Sometimes it is very gut-wrenching, because change isn’t easy for most of us. Please don’t tell me you thrive in an ever-changing environment! I’ll be so jealous.
But what if you’re afraid to change?
I am. And with all this talk of the new year and goals, I feel like digging my heels in. But as I’ve been reflecting on my steps for 2013, a few things became clear with the help of mentors. One of the many changes that I need to work on is my writing voice. I’ve drug my feet. I’ve procrastinated. I don’t want to move, but here I am right in the process of trying to be brave. (brave – I think that should be my word for 2013)
You see, I’m not much about being politically and religiously correct.
What good does that do us all to numb down our lives to fit a watered down margin of people? Instead I believe in the truth of a situation, because living in somebody else’s correctness is so grey!
Learning more about this thing called ‘writing voice’, however, I realize I do water down my words.
I’m religiously and politically correct.
In my actions, I’m not worried about being correct. But in my words, I am. Y’all this is nauseating! Oh I have to say, I’m not proud because who cares about grey?
I don’t think following a correctness of a society benefits anyone. Just turn on the news and you’ll see my point. They spend their time arguing over the “who cares” matters, more than they do the truth that could benefit a nation.
But that’s me. Smoothing over words, making sure they hit the page free of thoughts and phrases that might offend you. Why would I want to change, put the truth of what I see out there, only for you to ridicule? I have no intentions of offending, but watering down the truth is not brave. It’s actually a disservice to my heart, you, and the situation.
So the writing voice change is in the process. This change will be ever on-going, as with so many other areas of our lives. Change will always be hard, whether it is as insignificant as changing the style of your writing voice, to changing an attitude, to dropping an old habit, to getting up and exercising. Change hurts temporarily, but empowers and strengthens us for the future.
Have you made a recent change lately?
Was it a scary process for you?
I’m seeing so clearly that change is an uncomfortable feeling. The comfort zone is gone. The old habits don’t want to die. The new habits struggle to spring forth and it feels like there is a battle within.
If you need a change today, I hope you’ll step out and join me in making changes in 2013. Some changes will be personal, some financial, some physical, and some will seem insignificant at the moment, but I challenge you to step out and conquer new territory and forge ahead to new heights. Be brave with me!
What do you see in yourself that needs to change to reflect who you really are?
Oh, and are you religiously and politically correct?
You go girl!
Very good Alene. I’m in that same change process. I like this truth in this sentence, “I have no intentions of offending, but watering down the truth is not brave. It’s actually a disservice to my heart, you, and the situation.” This is so true.
What am I changing? I’m going to be more bold. My question to myself is how do I speak the truth in love and how do I chose my battles. I want to be led by the Spirit and walk in the paths
of wisdom. At the same time I don’t want to be held back for fear I don’t say and do everything perfectly.
I’m glad you’re stepping out because it encourages me to do the same.I am also bothered by the stifling of free speech by the concern of being politically correct.
One time I heard Ben Carson the famous brain surgeon who wrote “Gifted Hands” speak. He said that Americans could never be persuaded to give us free speech and so to rob us of free speech, political correctness was invented.
Again, good for you! I support your bravery. Thanks for writing this. You inspire me in taking stands for truth.
Great thoughts, Sharon! We’ll step out together. Love Ben Carson – that’s a great quote from him. I just want to be free or rather brave enough to put a voice to the truth of what I see. So, here’s to a great challenge in 2013 for us both.
Way to go! I’m making several changes this new year as well. Change IS frightening.
Amen – on frightening!!! But it doesn’t hurt — so why are we so scared of it? There I lie and ponder . . .
Yikes, I have the same problem. Too many years as a proper pastor’s wife has given me the habit of keeping it all sweet, clean and non-confrontational. Good luck with finding your true voice! I will be joining you on this quest!
I bet you are really good at staying within the lines being a pastor’s wife. I’m just ready to put my true thoughts out for the world – some days they might be off, others they will probably fit right in. But it’s time to challenge myself to be bold and speak of what I see!
Hmmm…your writing voice. This smells like Tribe Writers! Am I politically and religiously correct? Yes, I am. I hesitate to take too much of a stand in my words. In my writing, I feel more at liberty to do so. Hmmmmm….and now I’m thinking more.
Guilty as charged!
Over the last few months I feel like I lost my writing voice. I feel like I’ve lost my focus and forgot why I started blogging in the first place. This year, it’s something that I want to claim back! Change is hard. But it’s comforting to know others are being brave enough to do it too. Thanks Alene!
Amber, thanks for posting this. My blog has gone untouched for months. It’s as if the writer in me has been in a coma. It’s strange that I feel like God created me to write, yet I can’t find a thing to say these days. :( Yep, I need to change.
You totally have a voice that needs to be heard. Jeff Goins has a writing class called Tribe Writers that will start up again in a few months. He has great exercises to push you to find your voice and be brave! You are brave girl — you just have to put on those big girl panties and step out — I have to put my panties on daily!!! :) true.
Honestly, I am going to “change” in my outlook on many things, going to put aside the negative light and stay focused on the positive; not only in situations, but more importantly, in people and in myself. The last few years, my world has been turned upside down(or at least I felt it had) and my perspective was distorted in many ways, but this shake up and adjustment has rearranged my outlook and my determination. Thank you Alene for reminding me what is important and that I do need to be “brave”. Love you!
Karen – this is awesome. It’s hard when our worlds are flipped around. So thankful you are determined to keep your outlook positive. That’s what it’s all about. It’s a choice and we get to chose every day. Girl – you are brave — I remember seeing you out on the basketball court — total braveness!!
I am back you pathetic george w bush apologist. Why dont you go back to your daddy’s basement now and suck on your bottle? NOW we can truly say, NO MORE. Blocked!!!
Hmm. I commented here a day or two ago, but I don’t see my comment. I’ll make this one much shorter, just in case you didn’t like my last one. :)
I don’t have a problem with “correctness” but I have noticed myself being “silent”. My question was…do you think that’s just about as sickening? So, maybe that’s one thing I need to change.
Oh goodness — I’m not sure what happened. I’ve checked the spam folder and nothing there. Sorry I didn’t see it, but so thankful you came back with a great question. I think I would ask “in your being silent, isn’t that a form of correctness?” Why do you stay silent? Fear of what others think or fear of getting involved. I think it is the same to me. If I’m fearful of stepping out of the religiously and politically correct word, then I remain silent to what is truth and important to me. That’s the silence of my heart that I’m longing to be brave to voice. So my challenge to you is speak up — come be brave with me!!! The world needs to hear what you have to say.
Oh goodness — I’m not sure what happened. I’ve checked the spam folder and nothing there. Sorry I didn’t see it, but so thankful you came back with a great question. I think I would ask “in your being silent, isn’t that a form of correctness?” Why do you stay silent? Fear of what others think or fear of getting involved. I think it is the same to me. If I’m fearful of stepping out of the religiously and politically correct word, then I remain silent to what is truth and important to me. That’s the silence of my heart that I’m longing to be brave to voice. So my challenge to you is speak up — come be brave with me!!! The world needs to hear what you have to say.