Great advice and so very appreciated! I did nothing but write from June 2022 to now with no real use of "Notes" (until recently) or Chats "...when it was time for me to look up this past December there were 100 readers! I had posted the provided Substack story images on my IG 24-hr story and I'm not at all anything big there. 500 maybe (a ton I think!) My hope was one person would feel they weren't alone or one person would ask their family questions about their history. What is meant to come will come but be you and don't give up 💫 Thank you Alexander!
When I began this journey I didn't look up much, except to do life. It wasn't about reach, popularity, etc., in fact I felt like I was hiding behind the keys, to essentially save myself from grief. I wanted a place to put stories down and encourage others to tell theirs. I slowly gained some followers. I had hoped through my honesty, etc., I would help just one person. As a former professional photographer, who worked a lot, I felt the same way. I loved to mentor and teach.
Staying humble to this platform, with so many great writers, as I look up... and begin to make more friends here :)
I'm not good with words n the big ones really throw me for a loop. My phone has to spell for me. But I can't not talk about JESUS. HE saved me from a dark meth addiction. I'm 64 n don't get out n am on SSI tp community is like my family cause I can't hang out with "old friends" it would be over for me. I read other writers stuff n there's some awesome information shared. So it helps this old man n I'm thankful for all of you
Your gratitude to God is clear, and to other people, and not many people are able to express themselves in gratitude as clearly as you have.
Greatly appreciated.
Please don't hold back in communicating just because of a few stupid words. There is often no logic in how they are spelt- at least that's my excuse for not knowing how to spell!
Writing is one way of communicating with others the truth of God.
We are told that we are the light of the world:
Mat 5:14-16
(14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(15) Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.
(16) Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Notice also, it’s not God’s light, it is your light, which God expects you to let shine in your good works, so others will see it and glorify him.
While God inspires us with His Spirit, it’s our choice to love him and to do his work, or not.
It’s our responsibility to let our light shine.
We put our personal characteristics, our light, into the work we do for God.
What an incredible relationship we have with God; for he wants and trusts us, his friends, to use his Spirit, in our own unique way, to call others to him!
Hmm good point, where writing fantasy novels are concerned I do it because I have to, I have always felt I must do so and must forge together a mythology for Japan, Scotland and France.
As to the essays I do so because I like writing for its own sake.
I write because it will burst inside of me if I don’t. I write to remember the experience, the emotion, the day. I write to encourage someone else through their loss, or their pain. I write so that my children and my grandchildren will know me in the future. The number of followers does not matter to me. I don’t push myself to write every day. Sometimes I’ve gone for months without inspiration when I have been overcome with sorrow. I write for the joy of writing, and watching words come to life, and play the memory back in my mind. There is value in every word.
Thank you for this, because sometimes it gets hard when I see the work I put into it and realise I am not reaching as many people as I would have wished. It gets sad.
Great advice and so very appreciated! I did nothing but write from June 2022 to now with no real use of "Notes" (until recently) or Chats "...when it was time for me to look up this past December there were 100 readers! I had posted the provided Substack story images on my IG 24-hr story and I'm not at all anything big there. 500 maybe (a ton I think!) My hope was one person would feel they weren't alone or one person would ask their family questions about their history. What is meant to come will come but be you and don't give up 💫 Thank you Alexander!
Now you’re inspiring many!
Such an important reminder.
When I began this journey I didn't look up much, except to do life. It wasn't about reach, popularity, etc., in fact I felt like I was hiding behind the keys, to essentially save myself from grief. I wanted a place to put stories down and encourage others to tell theirs. I slowly gained some followers. I had hoped through my honesty, etc., I would help just one person. As a former professional photographer, who worked a lot, I felt the same way. I loved to mentor and teach.
Staying humble to this platform, with so many great writers, as I look up... and begin to make more friends here :)
It’s a wonderful platform no doubt about, it’s been a blessing to meet amazing people like you with incredible life stories.
I'm not good with words n the big ones really throw me for a loop. My phone has to spell for me. But I can't not talk about JESUS. HE saved me from a dark meth addiction. I'm 64 n don't get out n am on SSI tp community is like my family cause I can't hang out with "old friends" it would be over for me. I read other writers stuff n there's some awesome information shared. So it helps this old man n I'm thankful for all of you
God bless you, Jesus does such wonderful miracles for us!
Ty my friend
Wow Mark, thanks for sharing.
You sure can write.
This is so powerful and well said.
Your gratitude to God is clear, and to other people, and not many people are able to express themselves in gratitude as clearly as you have.
Greatly appreciated.
Please don't hold back in communicating just because of a few stupid words. There is often no logic in how they are spelt- at least that's my excuse for not knowing how to spell!
Ty my brother
Writing is one way of communicating with others the truth of God.
We are told that we are the light of the world:
Mat 5:14-16
(14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(15) Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.
(16) Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Notice also, it’s not God’s light, it is your light, which God expects you to let shine in your good works, so others will see it and glorify him.
While God inspires us with His Spirit, it’s our choice to love him and to do his work, or not.
It’s our responsibility to let our light shine.
We put our personal characteristics, our light, into the work we do for God.
What an incredible relationship we have with God; for he wants and trusts us, his friends, to use his Spirit, in our own unique way, to call others to him!
Beautiful and so true. One of the big reasons I named the publication Lighthouse.
Thanks Alexander, you always seem to take the time to comment, which is important as we are not AI writing this but people. Do you ever sleep??
Thank you for this encouragement. I 100% agree. It's worth it all for one heart strengthened.
Yes!
Amen to these wise words!
Thank you! Glad you liked it
Hmm good point, where writing fantasy novels are concerned I do it because I have to, I have always felt I must do so and must forge together a mythology for Japan, Scotland and France.
As to the essays I do so because I like writing for its own sake.
Very encouraging words for us all. Thanks!
Thanks for your support, glad you liked it!
I know, Alexander. We wouldn't wait for a crowd of people to share an encouraging word. Great perspective.
Thanks, that’s right!
Totally resonate with your thoughts!
So glad!
I agree, Alexander. And congratulations on reaching your milestone.
Thanks! Glad to have you here!
Completely agree! 🙏
You are helping many others, it’s amazing.
I write because it will burst inside of me if I don’t. I write to remember the experience, the emotion, the day. I write to encourage someone else through their loss, or their pain. I write so that my children and my grandchildren will know me in the future. The number of followers does not matter to me. I don’t push myself to write every day. Sometimes I’ve gone for months without inspiration when I have been overcome with sorrow. I write for the joy of writing, and watching words come to life, and play the memory back in my mind. There is value in every word.
Wonderful!
Hi I appreciate hearing this perspective! Thanks.
Blessing!
well said brother, I needed to hear that
Glad to be of contribution!
Thank you for this, because sometimes it gets hard when I see the work I put into it and realise I am not reaching as many people as I would have wished. It gets sad.
For sure, we all have these moments, I can relate, but then when we can refocus on most important then it gets much better