Today Write On Sisters is taking part in 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion, a movement intended to flood the internet with 1000 blog posts on this important topic. You can learn more about the movement on the founder’s website: http://yvonnespence.com/. And onTwitter at the hashtag #1000speak.
Compassion. How can we expect a single word to sum up everything that’s most admirable about humanity? And yet, this one does. It transcends age, gender, religion, nationality and race. When we strive to live lives rich with compassion, it forces us to reach deep inside ourselves and tap the best and brightest parts of our souls.
Writers
In the safety of a gifted writer’s literary embrace, I learned to care about people I will never meet. I found the strength to forgive people who judged me by my gender or ethnicity. I became a better mother, wife and person, with more love, respect and compassion to give others as the legacy of another writer’s words. And I am grateful.
I don’t think every writer is meant to create world-changing literary magic. I know I’m not. But I sleep better each night knowing that members of my brethren are up to the challenge. I have faith a new writer somewhere is gathering their tools and forging a message so powerful, that my children’s children will treasure it as more valuable than gold. And that faith fills me with joy, and makes me proud to be a writer.
Please take the time today to read some of the wonderful writers participating in this blog hop. You can start here with Just Gene’O and his message on Compassion and Nonviolence.
WOW! This is a beautifully written post!
Hi Kimmie,
Thanks! It was a fantastic day, filled with wonderful posts. I hope you had the chance to read some of the others. Very inspiring stuff being sent around the web that day. : ) I’m glad you came by.
You took part in #1000Speak, too?? 😀
Gosh, Robin. You worded this so eloquently and so truthfully. I feel like I should be doing more in response than simply nodding my head and agreeing with each point. Writers do every single thing you listed. So, in a way, we’re agents of compassion. Of course, we can’t be afraid to show the opposite actions, either – violence, brutality, cruelty, unkindness, etc. It’s our duty to show both sides of the coin, the beautiful and the ugly. Exploring and showing contrasts is part of storytelling. And when we as writers embrace both sides, our stories are stronger and better for it.
It’s funny, my WIP is one of the reasons why I ended up doing #1000Speak. Vengeance and forgiveness are two of the story’s major themes. So I couldn’t not join the movement. If I didn’t, my characters would probably throw fits at me. *lol* 😉
Hi Sara,
I think often when writers are most powerful is when they dip into the heavy stuff. And I think this is true of fiction and nonfiction. I’m so glad you enjoyed #1000speak. It was a great day filled with memorable writers. Thanks!
I am a little late getting around to the visits. Thanks very much for the mention, and for this wonderful post!
Hi Gene’O,
Since you were the one to ask me to join the movement it only seems fitting to give you a mention. 🙂 Thanks again for inviting us.
I was crazy all day Friday and today, that’s what happens when your house is the homebase of the big D and D game. But I will be making up for lost time Sunday with both #1000Speak and #weekendCoffeeshare.
I know what you mean by how writers can impact people and their lives..
I have been deeply influenced by many myself.
Lovely post 🙂
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks! I hope you enjoyed the event yesterday, the posts were amazing.
I’m imagining a throng of writers pounding words with steel mallets and fiery sparks flying with each concentrated stroke. Thanks for adding to the #1000Speak conversation.
Hi Tamara,
Just doing my small part. : ) It was a honor to be included in such a special event. Thanks for dropping by. It was a bit overwhelming yesterday, I read as many posts as I could, but I only got to about 20 of them. More for today!
Thanks again for the comment.