Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A Kind Word Spoken


A Kind Word Spoken
by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)


A little word in kindness spoke,
A motion, or a tear,
Has often healed the heart that's broken
And made a friend sincere.

A word, a look, has crushed to earth
Full many a budding flower,
Which, had a smile but owned its birth,
Would bless life's darkest hour.

Then deem it not an idle thing
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear, the thought you bring,
A heart may heal or break.

It's tough sometimes to be a writer. Anyone who has gone through the long and arduous process of querying a manuscript will tell you - it's TOUGH sometimes. Anyone who has gone through a second and third (and even a forth) round of edits on their manuscript will tell you - it's TOUGH. Anyone who has tried their hand at freelancing only to face rejection will tell you - it's TOUGH. Even just keeping up with something like this, a blog, can be tough sometimes.

So when you receive the slightest bit of encouragement, it feels AMAZING. When you get just the tiniest bit of approval, someone to say, "Hey, I like your writing," or "Congratulations on..." whatever it is, IT FEELS GREAT.

I got that today, from a very sweet friend of mine from college (thanks, Shanna). Sometimes it only takes a few kind words to heal a soul that has been a little bit bruised by life's ups and downs. 

So first, I want to say thank you, readers. Thank you for showing up at this crazy place week after week and reading, commenting, and encouraging me. Thank you for making me feel less alone on this journey of writing (and parenting!). I do hope that you are encouraged here, through laughter or otherwise.

Second, I hope you will take the time to thank the people who support you, and then go and find someone else to share the encouragement with. You never know whose life you might touch at just the moment they need it.

12 comments:

  1. Beth, You are one of those I've come across I truly would love to meet!

    I come here and get lots of laughs.

    Thank you for that!
    ~ Wendy

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  2. Ditto, Wendy. Just make sure your book tour comes through Atlanta one day, eh? :)

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  3. Hey, I'd love to meet both of you! :) Anyway, you are so right about a kind word making a huge difference. I have one friend that is notorious for lifting me back up when I'm down. I think I'll go thank her right now!

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  4. Absolutely, a kind word goes a long way. :O)

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  5. Like you said a few kind words can make up for a barrage of rejection.

    And it's a great motivator to keep trying.

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  6. Beth, you were that person in the poem to me... and you arrived exactly when I needed you!

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  7. So sweet, and so true. Reading your words -- a kid who sat in desks at my school (!) -- encourages me every time I visit!!

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  8. Awww, Beth, how true. Thanks for the timely reminder.

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  9. Oh, you're so right. A little encouragement can go such a long distance, can't it? Well, Beth, I love coming by your blog and finding you smiling with your words. Thank you for this uplifting message today!

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  10. Love the poem:) Words are beautiful instruments when used correctly!

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  11. hello bethly hubly I have not read your writing before but i think you are an amazing person.

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  12. Thank you, everyone, for your kind words spoken here :) All of you encourage me every day!

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