“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” Epictetus
On the wings of Thanksgiving, it seems right to spend some time today reflecting on those people who lift us up and bring out the best in us. They are the wind beneath our wings — the source of hope and encouragement. They do so much for us!
They give us ideas and spark our creativity. Sometimes, just a chat or an email can ignite a whole new train of thought for us. What a gift!
They may send us articles or information that can enrich the work that we are doing. They provide fuel for our work and keep it flaming.
They give us a boost when we are feeling low — they help lift us up by reminding us of our best qualities and what we have to offer the world.
They celebrate our victories with us and soften the defeats by letting their light shine upon us come rain or shine.
Scribe tribes — what a blessing they are and how much we need their support. And how much they need ours as well. As we move into the holiday season and the end of a year of so much change and confusion, our friendships are more important than ever.
Why not make it part of your holiday gift-giving to reach out and check in with some of the people who’ve helped you on your writer’s journey? Why not let them know how much they’ve meant to you?
What better way to end the year than by lifting someone up who’s done the same for you? Write on!
I’ve read this advice from Epictetus before, and I can see how it would be tempting: Get with people who make us feel good. But that person who needs lifting up might not have ever done anything to help us — may actually bring us down to be around them — but they need us nonetheless. Limiting the company you keep to those who can do something for us is to live on a tiny, one-way street.
Hi Karin! You are one of my writing s tribes. Not just because of your wonderful blog but because you share wonderful opportunities and contests By the way the Billy Joel song River Of Dreams was inspired by a dream!
Hi Jackie,
Thank you so much for your kind words — they are so encouraging to me! I am so happy that my KWD posts are inspiring you. You are always contributing ideas and things you’ve learned, which also inspire me! I never knew about Billy Joel’s song being inspired by a dream — I will add him to my list of dreaming writers and artists!
Write on,
Karin
Right back at you dear friend.