Saturday, December 2, 10a-12p
Expect to enjoy a delicious brunch that will include our usual writing fare:
- A Focus Point
- A writing exercise
- Time for critiques
Barbara
Just Do It
During an advertising agency
meeting in 1988, Nike coined the slogan JUST DO IT. According to Wikipedia, “one of the campaign's objectives was to target
all Americans regardless of age, gender or physical fitness level which
led to Nike becoming worn as a fashion statement, not just as fitness gear.
(Nearly 80% of Nike’s running shoes are not worn for their intended purpose.) In other words, you don’t have to be a pro to
play.
I suggest
that the “It” we’re supposed to “just do” is whatever is in your heart to do. Don’t
think about perfection or scoring or fans, just put on the sneakers and play. You
don’t need to be on a court or a field, JUST DO IT.
In writing,
we don’t need to be professional, perfect or popular; we just need to do it—we need to write. Sure, it’s more fun with the roar of a crowd, but we can’t
let silence rob us of the joy of using our gift. We write for the pleasure of
the Giver of that gift.
I told you about my disappointment when the editor who wanted to see “everything” I write
told me he was now too busy to consider new authors. I thought my book was a
shoo-in and now I felt like a failure—until
I realized I didn’t fail God. I did what He put on my heart to do, I wrote H-O-P-E for the Journey. I succeeded.
However, the silence that meets me at my
keyboard these days is discouraging. The only way to continue writing is to JUST
DO IT—because it is mine to do. I write for the Creator, not
the crowd.
I want to echo the words of the servant
in Matthew 25:20, “Master, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have
gained five more.” Our talents, financial and spiritual, will only increase
with investment.
Take home thought: 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “Fan
into flame the gift of God… For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a
spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Write, and write some
more.
