Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Water Givers

And now for the 6th question from my 8 Questions Every Writer Must Ask Themselves post: Do I have enough affirmation and support nudging me to keep moving ahead during difficult patches?


This question makes me think of a race. A marathon, actually. I run so I know what starts happening to the body when the miles add up.


Same kind of break down happens to the mind in this wacko industry.


While running, our legs cramp up. While writing and pursuing publication, our brain cramps up. While running, we face the temptation not to take another step. While writing, we face the temptation not to write another word.


A hope deferred makes the heart sick (in the Bible somewhere). What I’m here to probe is other than a God-given soul-stirring (or slapping in some cases) what fuels that hope?


Water givers can.


8 Things to Note about Water Givers



  1. We’d run even if they weren’t there, but because they are we’re encouraged and able to run farther than we would on our own.


  2. They replenish our supply. Sweat sheds so much needed water to keep the body hydrated. Water givers give a palpable resource on this journey. They equate to those who offer critiques or an agent or editor willing to take a risk on our work.


  3. They seem to be waiting at the perfect spots. I’m convinced I need to start writing some of my water giving moments down. On the exact day I feel like throwing in the towel, I’ll receive an email or a call from a trusted friend uplifting my work in some way. (Someday I’ll tell you about the dreams others have had on my behalf.) For now, I swallow the water and use it to keep me plowing ahead.


  4. Water givers reach out. We can choose to kindly accept.


  5. They might run with us a while.


  6. They wait for us at the end of the race.


  7. They don’t expect anything in return. (I pray I’m a water giver to others!)


  8. They act on their desire to see us succeed, even cooling us off if needed.


Thank the water givers in your life today. They are a huge reason why you’ve made it this far.
Thanks, water givers!


Anything you want to share about some of your water givers?
*photos by flickr

18 comments:

  1. I defintiely have a few that keep me going and refresh my weary mind at times. Love them! :O)

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  2. I love the water givers in my life. What a great way to look at them.

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  3. My water givers are wise. They know to quench their thirst requires giving water to others. I always learn so much from them.

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  4. I think the most surprising thing to me is that you can't schedule these encounters, but they come just when they are needed most. A blog post, an email, a review, a kind endorsement, a visit with a friend on the phone...in myriad ways I am watered.

    I only hope I pass that along from time to time.

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  5. Thank YOU, Wendy, for being a water giver, too! I can't imagine running this marathon alone...I'd probably quit after Mile 5, LOL.

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  6. Nice post.

    My hat is off to the water givers in my life. You'll never know how much I appreciate you...and how close I've been to quitting and you quenched my thirst again. Thank you.

    My water givers range from people like you who write inspiring blogs to keep us going - to the nice lady at work who wants to read an article I wrote even though she could not possibly have an interest in the history topic...and all the ones in between. Thank you!

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  7. Oh I like this a lot! Great analogy, Wendy. :-)

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  8. Another great post, Wendy! I love the analogies you find!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I would be very interested in your bp story, if you don't mind sharing with me some time. You could email me if you like. :)

    And I saw your comment over at Rachelle's blog...I TOTALLY get the INFP, I am one to the bone. At least I am according to all the online tests. :) We're definitely in the right business!!! I can also pull out the E when I need to but then I need several days to hibernate in order to recover, lol!

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  9. My water givers are so amazing. I wouldn't be able to do this without them. I'm so grateful to all of them. They have made my writing so much better, and kept me going when I wanted to throw my novels against the wall. I'm so blessed to have each and every one of them.

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  10. YOU are one of my water givers, Wendy!!! I'm so blessed with people around me too. My husband, and I have two really close friends (one is my sister in law) who have showered me with support. couldn't do any of this without them.

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  11. There are so many wonderful water givers in my life that I'm awash in joy. You're one of them, Wendy, as are several of those in your comment trail today. I'm blessed beyond belief and very, very, very grateful for my treasured friends who support and encourage me. (Yes, adverb alert and repetition, I know, but they were necessary. =)

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  12. God is definitely my water-bearer. I'm still looking to give others water and to be given water from friends in a reciprocal manner. I need to contact some friends, I think.

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  13. Water givers are God's blessings to us. I think of them as my Angels. They are truly a gift and I hope I'm one of their water givers too.

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  14. Hooray for the water givers!!! I'd be shriveled somewhere in front of my computer without them. :)

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  15. This is great. All of my blog buddies and my husband, but mostly my Lord. He refreshes me all day long.

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  16. Hi Wendy -

    Thanks to you and all my blogging buddies for being water givers. Great post!

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  17. I had two water giver moments the last while - both came at a moment of biggest discouragement and both helped me recommit to staying in the race. Beautiful analogy!

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  18. I love this metaphor, Wendy! As a runner and a writer, I depend on the water-givers. My husband is my best -- he lets me vent about how long the race is all the time!

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