Ray Hughes Interview Breaks Your Heart Into Happy Pieces

I wanted to post this interview for my blog readers. Ray Hughes is one of my favorite poets and speakers because his words have a way of weaving themselves into the fabric of my heart. Start listening. You won't be sorry. This interview was a monthly Writing Forum hosted by Theresa Dedmon's Create Academy - of which I am a leader. This is an international online academy. For information, go to www.theresadedmon.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqMif7UkoM&t=20s

When Less is More

One day in college, I sat in a group at the feet of a long-haired, bearded student who was talking about something so intellectual and deep that I could not understand him. Perhaps it was me just not being smart enough. When he was finished, I went up and told him how I felt. He graciously received my comment. 

Normally I'm not this bold. I shocked myself and that's why I remember this little snippet.

But I think writers and speakers really want to be understood. Is it insecurity that makes us sometimes get so lofty with words? In the 70s, there was even an "accent" hippies would use to sound brainy. 

Just tell me your stories. Teach me through word pictures. Come into my space and make me feel part of your space. That's how I learn.

It was at that moment with this intellectual guru that I realized everyone doesn't think like me. I do respect and honor you if you're different. But I also want to speak up for those of us who feel less is more.

Check out resources for writers on my website at www.christinetracy.com

Get Out and Find Your Victoria

Me, Victoria, and PJ

Right now I'm at Starbucks in Brownwood, Texas, sipping a latté and eating a rice krispy bar in memory of Victoria. She was such an unusual friend. Older and wiser; very British; and full of youthful life at 80 years old. She considered me her mentor. But it was really the other way around. We so loved our meetings full of encouragement, strategizing, and idea generating. We were both writers and businesswomen, and always talked of new dreams. We helped each other set and meet goals. Together we were like a happy explosion of inspiration. I was going to help her write her story and she was helping me learn how to shoot and edit videos for my You Tube channel.

When Rick and I moved to Texas from Denver, Victoria and I continued to meet by Zoom along with another friend; PJ. We all laughed as we navigated this new technology, and continued to encourage one another in even more new dreams.

One day, Victoria just didn't show up.

I miss my friend so much. She truly loved me and deposited something so special in me. We hear a lot about finding coaches and mentors to help us along in our life. I'm thankful I found Victoria, and I just want to tell you there is someone like her out there for you, too, if you look, stay aware, and say "yes" to opportunities. I pray I am that kind of friend to someone.

To Victoria, thank you. I'm now smack dab in the middle of living all that we had planned and dreamed together. 

A Lone Voice in the Wilderness

You know the question people ask about "When a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?"

Sometimes I wonder that about my writing...and the media...especially right now. 

If there is no one around to read or listen...is there really a message? Or if only the people that agree with you are your readers or listeners...do you really make a difference?

One human did make a difference way back when. A wilderness wind carried a message from a strange soul to a scared and hungry people. A prophecy was fulfilled. People were strengthened. A King was revealed. A difference was certainly made.

Isaiah 40:3 -  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

www.christinetracy.com

You Can Do It!

Do you ever fret and wait and procrastinate and finally, once you take the risk and try something new, you realize it wasn't hard at all? That just happened (again) to me!

I'm still learning by leaps and bounds. Today I learned to do a landing page in Mailchimp for one of my workshops. Who'da thunk?

I just determined to do it, and I did. I'm about to send it out and we'll see what happens.

Nonetheless - I want to encourage you to take that next step. Try that new thing. Learn that new skill. Dive into creativity in a new form. Imagine that new business and make a plan. Don't settle. Go big! You can do it, and these days, all of us have extra social distancing time, right?

I believe in you!

Love, Chris

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

If you'd like to get info about my upcoming online writing workshops, email me at chris@christinetracy.com

How to Clear Congestion of the Mind

Used to be when I skied my chest and head cold would clear like the parting clouds of a storm. Sun would enter into my heart through my eyes, and fresh air would invade my lungs thanks to the cold, fresh, thin air. The exhilaration of a mogul run would spring my body into action and into healing. By day's end my cold would almost be gone!
No doctor would prescribe that. I broke the rules and it worked.
So how, today, can I apply that to the congestion of my mind...a mind that needs to kick in to creativity...to write...to solve problems...to relate to people? What rules can I break that don't make sense, but ultimately will bring me into new clarity? Rather than sit at my blank screen, today I will play my guitar, paint a picture, run instead of walk, call a crazy friend, read good fiction, and dance in the living room. 
I'll dance and laugh at writing rules until that inkling of brightness breaks open in my line of vision and inspiration explodes.

Psalm 45:1 - "Like a river bursting its banks, I'm overflowing with words, spilling out into the sacred story." (The Passion Translation)

Check out my new book: The Art of Writing - An Intimate Devotional For Writers!

How Your Story Can Heal

I work a lot with aspiring writers. They're like I was when I started out. Loving the process; inspired by life; wanting to create in words; loving to hang out with other writers; voracious readers.

Each has a story. Most of their stories contain pain on levels that are hard to imagine. But somehow joy has entered their hearts; healing has overtaken their souls; and they know they need to tell their story. In the telling, they receive more healing. In the telling, they bring therapeutic hope to others.

Have you told your story yet?

Crisp Mountain Air - By Chris Tracy: July 1 - What's The Story?

Crisp Mountain Air - By Chris Tracy: July 1 - What's The Story?: There are so many different kinds of writers. There are teachers, dreamers, philosophers, imagineers, twisted, succinct, poets, musicians, ...

And Then God Spoke...To ME!!!!

Sometimes life takes a turn and knocks your socks off in a good way. I have been to several conferences where Shawn Bolz taught, encouraged the arts, and released words of knowledge to people he could not possibly know. 

To think God has these thoughts toward me and spoke them so personally at a conference I was attending at Bethel Church in Redding, Ca - well, I was shocked! It drew out my innermost dreams and gave me permission to move forward with them, knowing God is with me. There was such power in this. And it not only encouraged me but everyone who was there...to know that God loves us and knows us so intimately. Oh, that I might be so privileged as to coach writers; to write my blogs; and to be a reporter. Yes!

He indeed knows our name and knows where to find us. Are you open? Watching? He's coming after you!
If you want to know more about Shawn, read one of his books, the most recent being "God Secrets." I just finished it and highly endorse it. Or check out his website at: https://bolzministries.com

1 Cor. 12:8 - To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom; to another a message of knowledge through the same Spirit.

Audio clip used by permission of Bethel Media and www.ibethel.tv