Summer is over and Halloween is past. We are now truly in the holiday season. I’m not going to take up the debate over what to call this season because it’s not open for debate with me. During this month of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving. In December, we will celebrate Christmas. Thanksgiving is an American holiday where we take the time to be thankful for good things in our lives. Some people even manage to be thankful for trials and challenges. I can’t say that I’m quite so noble. Christmas is a holiday that used to be understood by all. I really don’t understand all the hubbub. If you look in the dictionary the name is defined as the Mass of Christ, a Christian celebration of the birth of Christ, the son of God. The day we celebrate it was chosen since we don’t have a specific date provided by the Bible. If there are others who celebrate other things during the same time, then that is their choice. But, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ.
It’s still November, so for now, I’ll concentrate on being thankful. There is an old saying in my church, “God is good all the time. All the time God is good. I have found that to be true in many ways, even if sometimes I didn’t see it until much later. In the long term, I God was faithful to always provide me with a ride to church when I was too young to drive. As a child growing up with a mentally ill mother, God provided me with people who loved me, mentored me and encouraged me. As a wife and mother, God was always there to guide me, provide for my family and protect us from my abusive ex-husband. In the twenty years since then God has continued to protect, provide and guide me through parenting, employment, and life.
It wasn’t until after my divorce that I learned I had writing ability. But, that writing ability has grown slowly over the last two decades from writing my personal journal to writing the church newsletter, to being published in magazines, newspapers, and websites. He even guided me through the detailed process of self-publishing a non-fiction book, Home Should Be Safe: Hope and Help for Domestic Violence Victims.
When I was young I could never have imagined I would publish anything, much less the amount that I have published. This last year I finally completed my bachelor’s degree. That was quite a milestone for me. When I announced this accomplishment a friend asked me what I was going to tackle next. I’ve been thinking about that a lot. One thing I’m going to do is look for a job where I can use my writing skills more and earn a better paycheck. But, regardless of what job I work, I am going to build and develop my writing skills because it is something I love to do.
Does anyone remember the original Nancy Drew book series? Well, those books were ghost written. That means different writers wrote different books under one pen name. While I was working as an Education Reporter for The Urbana Daily Citizen back in 2001, we got an article across the AP wire about one of the original ghost writers. The article told that this woman had gone on to write under her own name and finally settled at The Toledo Blade where she worked long after her husband passed away. This article went on to say that this writer was still earning a living writing a part time column, had gone home early and later passed away. She was 95 years old.
Ladies and Gentlemen, God has gifted me with a skill and talent that I can use as long as I nurture it and take care of my health. I would love for my writing to become my full-time income, but I recognize that may not happen. But, my goal and plan is to ramp up my efforts to learn the business side of writing and to develop the discipline of writing so that I am submitting things I’ve written to be published so that I can earn a living from them. Thinking and wishing, even praying about it without having an action plan to do the things necessary to earn a living from writing will not produce writing income. So, that is what I’m doing now. I am studying to learn what plan I need and how to develop it based upon my abilities and schedule. Day by day I will implement that plan so that I can build my writing business, based upon my unique skills and talents.
What are you thankful for this month and this year? What changes are you making in your life to do what you love and glorify God in the process?
Please respond and discuss. God bless all my readers.
Mina's Minutes 