“Transform Your Wounds into Words” Word-Art Freebie
In his post “A Question of Heart,” Terry said: “Transform your wounds into words. Write for the world.” I think I’m doing that. I felt called to start blogging a little over a year ago at Bits of Positivity.
Figure-Skating Wounds
Although I also blog through Living Montessori Now (with my first blogiversary coming up on April 13), I can’t say that I have wounds from Montessori education or homeschooling my children – those were wonderful experiences for me! But I do have wounds from figure skating – and those wounds have given me an extra voice and way to help families.
In figure skating, there’s the year of hard work that can seemingly disappear in one 4½-minute (or shorter) bad skate – or in a good skate that isn’t rewarded by the judges. It’s difficult to be involved in a sport in which the results from a whole year of hard work and preparation can be compressed into such a small period of time.
Wounds into Words
Although I started Raising Figure Skaters specifically for skating families, I soon discovered that I wasn’t writing about skating as much as I was writing about how sports can help our children develop character, about how difficult experiences can make us stronger, about how the journey is more important than the end result, about how gratitude and ThanksLiving can help us in sports and in life.
I started looking for daily quotes for my Facebook page and weekly quotes for my word art freebie, quotes that connected me to wisdom from the ancients and inspiration gained from insightful present-day people who have learned from their own struggles and successes.
Yes, Nietzsche’s words are true.
“What Does Not Destroy Me” Word-Art Freebie
Will and Christina both felt that pressure-filled situations such as training at an international training center and competing internationally made them stronger and more self-confident, along with instilling qualities like perseverance, responsibility, and self-motivation. I love 2003 USA World Team Member Ryan Jahnke’s words about figure skating:
“For me, I think it was one of the most challenging and the hardest things I’ve ever done. . . . I’m at the point now where I feel like anything I set my mind to . . . I can do it. Because I feel like nothing I could possibly come across in life now is going to be as hard as figure skating was, as hard as the competing was.”
Writing about difficulties and how we approached them does make the journey easier and more fulfilling. Whether I’m writing for a journal, a blog, or a book, the positive side effects and results seem clearer. I can appreciate the many wonderful experiences and magical moments along the way when I focus on the journey and not the end result.
“It’s All About the Journey” Word-Art Freebie
I can’t help but think about a difficult and confusing time last summer that was made better by transforming my wounds into words and clarifying what I really believed: Watching for the Open Door.
“When One Door Closes Another Door Opens” Word-Art Freebie
I even got to write about the happy ending: The Ruby Slippers Worked! And since then, it’s gotten even better!
So I’ll continue on, transforming wounds into words … and hoping I encourage others in the process…
I love this post! I’ve been doing exactly this. My son was born with a congenital heart defect, and has thus far had two open heart surgeries.
I’m sharing my story and my wounds in hopes that I will help and encourage others.
Thanks for the inspirational post!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Crystal! It must be unbearably painful to have your son undergo open-heart surgery. Your blog is wonderful – that you’re transforming your wounds into words and encouraging other parents facing the same trials is incredible. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb recently posted..Transforming Wounds into Words of Encouragement
Hi Deb- I have written a similar post in my head a dozen times. I constantly think about the financial, physical and emotional demands of year round training (on the courts) and one bad tryout, one weak return and it’s over. One of our kids’ coaches said life lessons are learned on a tennis court. A very solitary sport without a team to lean on, no judges (unless a large tournament) and kids having to make their own line calls and then be challenged by their opponents or worse, the opponent’s parents! Thanks for a great, thoughtful post!
laura recently posted..Mason Jars perfect for Easter
Thanks for your kind comment, Laura! I didn’t realize tennis competitors have to make their own line calls except in large tournaments. I think that would be even more difficult than dealing with subjective judging. That’s a wise coach who emphasized life lessons learned on the courts … life lessons are the priceless parts of sports, aren’t they?!
Deb recently posted..Transforming Wounds into Words of Encouragement
Thank you for the life that is in your writing. I followed you.
Rebeccaq recently posted..Book Give-Away Contest
Thanks so much for your comment, Rebecca – I love the way you said that! And thanks for following me!
Deb recently posted..Transforming Wounds into Words of Encouragement
Thank you so much for stopping by today and following, I am following back. I am so glad you liked the recipe and thank you for the well wishes on the blog hop #2 spot. I loved this post, its so nice to be reminded that writing what hurts us can help others, and ultimately help us as well. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Coupon Queen recently posted..Thursdays picture perfect deal
Thanks for your kind comment – and for following me! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!
Deb recently posted..Transforming Wounds into Words of Encouragement
What a beautiful post, Deb! I can so relate as a former athlete, and now as a writer. Although it may not seem that writers have that 4-minute window, in actuality, we do. Years and years and years of work, and then the book comes out and a bad review can make you question everything! Insane, but true.
This reminded me of Hemingway once saying he let go of many sorrows by writing them out.
Thank you for this post!
http://www.susanmarymalone.com/it-is-okay-to-have-a-bad-day/
Awesome. I have read some of your blogs and this is one of my favorites. You’re such an inspirational motivator. Thank you for enlightening us with great words. Arigatu gozaimasu. Please write some more and more. Don’t get tired.
Flordeliz recently posted..Weight Loss And Other Benefits Of Yoga