Here is a photo of my two-year-old daughter’s hand in her mommy’s hand.
7/16/22
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This song has been extra resonating with me lately.
I also want to figure out how to stay on top of the mountain. I think one day, with the grace of God, we will.
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I've been very pulled to write and record music always but even moreso lately. I've done it a little in the past but never really shared it with many people. Making art is such a vulnerable process. Even just typing this onto my public Facebook profile is really scary. For people who don't do creative work, it may look like we just do this sort of thing to show off, but it is terrifying. It is so terrifying to put the parts of ourselves that we love the most out on display for people who are hardly even looking to observe and then criticize without batting an eye, because let's be honest, most people are more critical than encouraging.
"What if my hard work ends in despair. What if the road won't take me there. What if I fall and can't bear to get up"
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I've been trying to criticize less. I think critical thinking is important and calling others out when we're hurting eachother, or ourselves is important. But when it comes to a person doing something as vulnerable as creating something they love, unless it's constructive or invited, I think unsolicited criticism can do some legitimate damage. Even if that person isn't there to hear me say it. I think the way I thoughtlessly criticize is often unfair and it turns around and speaks back to me. I hear myself later speaking to me, disguised as a random passerby who hates my music or my art.
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There are a few people in my life who I think of as the most encouraging people I've ever met. They are offering me encouragement on a regular basis, and I can hear their encouragement louder than others because of it. They are a huge reason I am able to be an artist. My best friend from middle school, Julie and my friend Froggy from good ol' Camp LuWiSoMo up in Wisconsin back in 2007 - who now works across the street from me at CPH. Her real name is Anna. I've recently met a new person like this too. Her name is Rachel and she goes to my church now. These people offer me lots of encouragement, and I never hear them offer anyone or anything, outside of themselves perhaps, any sort of thoughtless negative criticism. I think their lack of regular cynicism, sarcasm and criticism highlights their encouragement. #negativespace
I used to think that people who encourage others all the time just do it naturally and I just don't do it as naturally. That could be semi true. But it is no excuse for me not to train myself to do it more. I think that I may have underestimated the power of encouragement.
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I am working to practice regular encouragement and only the most necessary, or invited criticism. It's hard work, and I'm bad at it, because if you've met me - you know that I talk nonstop and I can't control most of the things that come out of my mouth.
But if you are in need of any encouragement, please feel free to send me a message. I observe people pretty closely. Maybe more than they want sometimes. But I've probably noticed something amazing about you that you maybe didn't realize I noticed. And I would love to offer you encouragement about it : )
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Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7