Communication Articles

HOW to praise God in the storm part 1

November 19, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

Most Christians have heard many times how we are to praise God in the storm, but what has always frustrated me is that nobody has ever told us how to do that. It’s hard to just begin feeling thankful when you’re in the midst of a financial mess or a loved one’s death. Merely understanding that you should do something doesn’t help you do it.

All devotionals on this topic will tell you to read the Bible and pray. This is obvious since we are trying to get closer to God and further away from our pain or struggle. This is also something we should do when we are not struggling. But just reading the Bible when you are struggling may not help your attitude turn to gratitude and you may not even know how to pray for a situation, especially if it has been a long and confusing one.

There are many devotionals on thankfulness that talk about this so I’m not going to spend much time on it since you’ve probably read enough of them to quote them verbatim. I’ll just say that it’s important to continue to pray and read the scriptures even when we are at our wit’s end and even when we are no longer able to envision that God would help us because, the moment we no longer seek God, we begin to drift away from Him. “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” -Psalm 119:143

So how do we begin to feel thankful? Well, last week I prepared our hearts a bit by sharing with you what we should remember. But that often isn’t enough to bring us through from frustration and despair. After many years upon this earth I have found some things that have helped me to become more thankful and bring me to the point where I can praise God during the storms of my life.

1. Start small and build

Thank Him for whatever blessings you can think of, even if you have a hard time coming up with things you are thankful for and even if you don’t feel very thankful when you write it or say it. There is an old saying, “act as if.” If you begin to thank God for the blessings, no matter how small, in your life, you will begin to see more and feel it more as you go.

Somehow my attitude changes when I concentrate on the little blessings. I remember an old saying my relatives had when I was a child, “thank God for small favors.” It has become a popular secular saying that has come to mean something quite different so I don’t suggest you actually say this to yourself. I think it must have started out meaning that we should thank God for the small blessings in our lives to help us see the blessings He has given us. Unfortunately, what it has come to mean is a snarky commentary that God only grants us small favors.

See how your attitude changes when you say, “thank God for small favors” instead of “thank you, Lord, for these little blessings?” One suggests that’s all we expect the Lord to give us and the other reminds us that these are just the beginnings of blessings God wants to shower upon us. That one little communication change changes everything.

Think back to all the times when you had just missed a disaster. How do you think that miracle happened? Envision what God must have been doing to protect you and then feel the love that lead God to that act. I remember a time when we drove from California to ARIDzona to visit my folks. On the way there (which is here now), we heard the brakes begin to screech. All the men at the event thought it wasn’t a major issue so we didn’t drive the car during our visit and headed home where we planned to have them repaired. There was a great deal of traffic that holiday on the way back and got progressively worse on that six hour drive home. We were able to make it all the way home and, as we coasted into the garage, the brakes completely failed leaving us unharmed and safely in our garage. Thank you, Jesus, for all the disasters we avoided that night alone!

Think back to all the times when NOTHING bad happened. What disaster might have occurred? Thank Him for those as well. How many times were you thinking of going to ABC when something changed your mind and you narrowly avoided a known disaster? My husband once decided not to go to work one day because the only route there (70 miles one way) was covered in snow and notorious for closure. Later we found that many of the people who traveled that road were stuck down the hill unable to get home for a day or two. And what about all the other situations we have no idea we could have found ourselves in?

2. Blessings for worst not happening

In the midst of terrible pain it’s often hard to see what could be worse and, to be honest, we don’t often care. We just know where we are now is bad. However, looking at the bright side can truly make a person thankful because, believe it or not, there are so many situations where we could be worse off.

Food prices up? Praise God that you have the money to buy them. Health bad? Praise God that you have the time to rest. Sick? As you pray for healing be thankful it isn’t fatal. Serious illness? Be thankful that there is still hope. And if a loved one has passed away, praise God he is no longer suffering and is with Jesus in heaven.

Now these things may sound easy to some, but they are not at all easy to do when you are in the middle of a struggle especially when that struggle has already taken a toll on you for many years. However, if you start small, are consistent and build, your faith will increase, your sorrow will lift and your joy will return even if you aren’t happy about your circumstances. (I’ll talk more about the difference between joy and happiness in my next article so stay tuned.)

In the midst of despair, sadness and being overwhelmed with struggle, we may find it difficult to just pick ourselves up by our Christian bootstraps and just “be happy.” However, these little things have helped me get just one step closer to being thankful and have reminded me that God is there with me and He’s working on my behalf even if I can’t feel Him through all that life throws at me. I pray they are blessings to you and you can begin to see how you can be thankful and praise God during your struggles as well.

Next time, I’ll be back with some more tips that will help us to be thankful so we may praise God in the storms of our lives.

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What to remember about struggles

November 14, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

So far I’ve introduced you to the idea that we need to learn how to Praise God in the Storm, what God Says about Being Thankful, and What Being Thankful Doesn’t Mean. Sometimes things that friends and family communicate to us can make our struggles more difficult, but there are things we can communicate to ourselves that can help us during struggles.

Today I’d like us to consider some things that will help us remember that God is not out to get us when struggles come. God isn’t punishing us and that there is a reason and maybe even a blessing around the corner.

Here’s what we need to remember during hard times:

1. Even if we cannot feel Him, God is still with us

We can count on Him to help and support us through the difficult times. Often we feel abandoned by God when tough times come. It’s only natural that we may not feel close to God when we are struggling, but if we can remind ourselves that God has not moved away from us, we might feel Him near. It’s always harder to find something when we aren’t looking.

It’s almost like when you have a close relative who lives far away. You can’t reach out and touch them or hug them, but you can still talk to them on the phone, but only if we dial the phone.

2. This struggle may prepare us for an incredible opportunity

We may need to learn something from this horrible experience that will help us in the future. Just as the butterfly strengthens its wings as it tries to break through the cocoon, so we may be strengthened by the struggles we face. If you cut short the butterfly’s struggle to break out, you assure that he will not be strong enough to fly afterward.

It’s not fun to think about this, but it will help you see a purpose…a method to the madness and meaning in the wilderness.

3. Think of this struggle as an opportunity to trust God with your life rather than a time of meaningless strife

I remember delivering both my children via natural child birth. It was more painful than anything I have ever experienced in my life or likely will again. Part of the training the Bradley Method provides (similar to La Maz) is to realize that there is a reason for the pain. At the end of this excruciating pain so intense I felt like ripping my face off, I was blessed with a precious child of God.

Thinking about that pain now, I don’t think I could have stood it for just a few minutes if I didn’t know it was for a good cause. My pain wasn’t meaningless so I was able endure it and trust that God would end it with the blessing of a child.

Some labor lasts only a short time as mine did. My son was born only three hours and fifteen minutes after the first sign of labor. However some children are born after 20 hours of labor. Likewise, some struggles may last a day and others will last years. Knowing there is a purpose, even if we don’t know what that purpose is, will help us endure. If you can’t see a purpose in the struggle you are facing, try to think of the purpose as an opportunity to trust God.

4. Think of your struggle as an opportunity to obey God

Sometimes it isn’t a matter of trusting God with your physical life, but trusting Him with the course of your life. Instead of thinking of the experience as meaningless and difficult, we can try to think of it as an opportunity to obey God. Do you feel called to do something, but it isn’t working out? Maybe it’s helping you to obey God. Nobody said life was easy and nothing worth doing is easy either. Sometimes it’s so hard people often want to give up just prior to success. Did you know that Mother Theresa wrote in her diary that she struggled to obey God’s calling for her life? What if she had given up on God’s plan for her life because she was frustrated and tired? She did it anyway.

Even if our struggles are long and even if things are coming at us from all sides, just remembering these four things can help us to endure. So, as we saw on Monday, sometimes it is the communication of others that make struggles more difficult. Sometimes it is our communication with ourselves that can help us stand strong in the struggles.

Next week, I’ll give you some practical tips that will help us to be thankful for our blessings even in the midst of a storm in our lives. These are things that have usually helped me and I pray they will help you as well.

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What being thankful DOESN’T mean

November 12, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

One of the frustrating things about going through struggles is when you hear other Christians say things like:

“The only reason you are struggling is because you don’t have enough faith.”

“Your problems are because of your sin.”

“If you would only pray harder, God would answer your prayer.”

These are not only unhelpful, but they are often also unbiblical. Comments like these don’t allow the one struggling the freedom to share their feelings and find a solution because they feel condemned or accused.

Paul suffered from many health issues and was never healed during his lifetime here on earth. Did Paul have enough faith in God? If God didn’t heal Paul, it might be that God chooses not to heal a fellow believer. Suggesting that if they only had enough faith, they’d be cured of cancer or have no more financial problems simply isn’t biblical.

Telling someone who is struggling with something that they simply need to have more faith only increases their suffering. Assuming they buy this bill of goods, they will try valiantly to have more faith in God. What happens if God answers their prayer with “no” or “wait?” How much more frustrated will they feel then? Assuming they don’t believe they could possibly have more faith, they may simply give up trying or trusting God.

Although some problems we encounter are due to our own sinful nature, other problems come about due to no fault of our own. Yet I’ve heard people tell a grieving mother that her child has Leukemia because of her sin! How’s that for piling guilt on top of grief?

Being thankful and joyful in the Lord such that we praise God in the storm doesn’t mean that we dismiss our suffering or that we cannot feel sad or angry or lost or overwhelmed. It doesn’t mean that we are complaining if we express our feelings and it doesn’t mean that we should live our lives trying to overcome our struggles by telling ourselves we aren’t suffering or shouldn’t feel badly or don’t have the right to complain. It doesn’t mean we spend our time pretending it didn’t happen or doesn’t matter.

Being thankful and praising God in the storm doesn’t usually come naturally. Our natural reaction is to be anxious and afraid, to worry and to get frustrated. It takes practice to learn to praise God in the storm. It takes time and patience.

Job’s friends didn’t understand either, most likely because they had never experienced such dispair. Sometimes what our friends and relatives communicate to us makes our struggles that much more difficult.

While we know we should trust God, we also know how difficult that can be. Don’t make that harder on those suffering by telling them that all they need is more faith or to stop sinning. Don’t make it harder on yourself by telling yourself. On Wednesday, I’m going to share some things we need to remember before we can learn to praise God in the storm and be thankful and see our blessings. In addition, next week I’ll share some tips that have helped me learn how to be joyful in the midst of sorrow or struggle.

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What Does God Say About Being Thankful?

November 7, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

Before we get too deep into how to praise God in the storm and being thankful to God for what He has done in our lives despite challenges and suffering, I’d like us to first understand what God says about being thankful.

God has a lot to say about being thankful. Here is a new one of my favorites:

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” -Romans 1:21

This scripture makes me think about how we may know God, but if we don’t worship Him and thank Him for what He has given us, we are likely to become more concerned with ourselves and focus on what we lack. This leads us into a dark place where we imagine all sorts of troubles which can steal our joy. The darkness conceals our blessings so that all we have left within our field of vision are our struggles.

This is something I struggle with. When I get overwhelmed or frustrated or angry, I can usually joke my way out of my funk and still praise God until that feeling comes to a tipping point or lasts too long. I can usually fight off a negative feeling for a short time, but when I get my feet knocked out from under me after having been blindsided a few times in a row for several years, it gets more difficult. That’s when I begin to see the negative in everything. That’s when I find it hard to give thanks to the Lord for the good things I have that I can no longer see because I am focusing my eyes on what’s wrong with my life.

Being in a prolonged period of struggle where I find more negative than positive in my life means my communication with others suffers as well. Frustration, sadness and anger makes for harsh words, short tempers and selective hearing.

For those of you who struggle with chronic illness, prolonged financial issues or drawn out family difficulties, I pray that this series will help you too. Know that I am reminding myself of these tips as I share them with you.

Do you have any favorite scriptures on Thankfulness? Please comment and share them here.

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Praising God in the Storm: Being Thankful Series

November 5, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

I don’t know about you, but 2012 has been a very difficult year for me. The economy has taken a toll on my customers and my income from Art of Eloquence is a shaddow of its former self. My husband’s bonuses (or lack thereof) have dropped his income by 12% in the past four years. The aging process has had a rather negative affect on my many chronic health issues. I think I’ve aged more in the last year than I have in all of my previous adult years combined. Additionally, we said goodbye to our daughter, once again, in August and have had to adjust to the fact that she will no longer be able to come home as often (or for as long) as she did when she was away at college. Grad school means she is working two jobs and an occasional 3rd and can’t take off for summers, long Christmas vacations or even get home for Thanksgiving.

I’m a goofball by nature so, when stressed or overwhelemed, I usually make a joke. You may have noticed. While this is better than sobbing into my soup, I got to thinking about Thanksgiving and came back to a thought I’ve struggled with for years. Christians always say that we are to praise God in the storm, but I never could figure out just how to do that. How do you thank God when you are going through such difficult situations. I always felt like poor Jonah, trying to hide from God because he didn’t want to preach in Nineveh. God knows everything including where Jonah was hiding. So how can I praise God during the storms of my life when He knows I’m angry or sad or frustrated or overwhelmed?

Frustration, depression, anger and stress doesn’t just affect your own thoughts; it often affects how you communicate with God as well as with your family and friends. So it’s not only important for us to find a way to praise God in the storm, but it’s important for those around us that we do as well.

I poured over so many devotionals and Christain books and articles I was practically dripping with Christian cliches, but what they never told me was exactly how to praise God in the storm. Just how are we to be thankful when so much negative emotion fills our mind and we know we can’t hide it from the Lord?

Well, I think I figured it out. In fact, I’m working on a book called How to Praise God in the Storm. I’ll write it when I’ve gotten a bit better at it. ;D So until then, and because this is Thanksgiving month, I’m going to share some of those ideas and some other things that will help us praise God. I pray that both you and I can journey together in order to communicate thankfulness to the Lord and those around us. So stay tuned to this blog as I share them with you this month. Won’t you join me? And please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Breast Cancer AWAREness?

October 24, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

Continuing with my series, “What Does Your _____ Say About You?” Here is another article I wrote a while back that addresses the example we set and what we communicate even if it’s for a good cause. What Does Your Post Say About You?

Breast Cancer AWAREness?

by JoJo Tabares

Every year around this time, I receive an inordinate number of private messages from Facebook friends about Breast Cancer Awareness. So many apparently see this as a fun way to promote a worthy cause, the elimination of breast cancer which affects many women, so why do I have such a problem with it?

1. It does NOT promote awareness.

A few years ago I was asked to post the color of my bra. Another year I was asked to post where I like to keep my purse. This year I was asked to post a tiny heart symbol. You are ONLY supposed to post the answer, but not explain what it means–even when someone asks.

Most people have no idea it has anything to do with breast cancer and those who already know because they got the insider personal message from one of their Facebook friends, already know. If they don’t know, they are afraid to ask, so…how does this benefit breast cancer awareness?

2. What it so often DOES promote is frustration, embarrassment and inappropriate comments.

The first year I was exposed to this, I had no idea what it was. I saw a bunch of my friends posting, “red,” “blue,” “yellow with pink polka dots.” So naturally, I posted a comment, “What is yellow with pink polka dots?” I received a PM a few hours later explaining what it was and asking me to post what color my bra was. I’m sorry, but the color of my bra is between me, my husband and God. I really don’t feel comfortable sharing that with the general public.

The year they asked you to post where you like to keep your purse, I saw an increase in the number of mutual male friends who had one of two responses to, “I like it on the counter!” or “I like it on the kitchen table!” One was utter embarrassment either to the mere image it conjured up or to the response they received if they innocently asked what it meant.

The other response men typically have to sexual innuendo is lewd comments. I’m not going to post any of them here, but I’m sure you know what I mean. Men are visual creatures when it comes to this subject. The mere mention of something that smacks of a sexual image, is enough to illicit (or should that be elicit) comments that shouldn’t be repeated in mixed company. As Christians, isn’t it our duty not to tempt men to stumble?

Breast cancer is a serious disease affecting not only thousands of women, but their families as well. A friend recently told me that she wondered if people whose lives were affected by breast cancer felt as if these “Green”, “On the counter,” and cutsie heart symbols were making light of their loss. If you’ve been a reader of Communication FUNdamentals for any length of time, you know how much I love to joke, but there are times when it just seems wrong. In my mind, these postings do not serve to inform or educate and have an incredible potential for miscommunication, embarrassment and to promote inappropriate comments.

So this season, why not just post a pink ribbon and say, ”This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Then post a link to Breast Cancer.org where you can get more information.

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JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer. Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula. You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com. For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication skills for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

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Are you a good Christian Example on Facebook?

October 22, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

I’m starting a new series on the blog called, “What Does Your _____ Say About You?” I’m going to highlight some of the things we may not think about when we consider communication. However, this is especially important as we consider what kind of Christain example we are as we go through our day. Here is an article I wrote a while back for Examiner.com. So…What does your Facebook Page Say About You?

Are You a Good Christian Example on Facebook?

By JoJo Tabares

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

I’m probably preaching to the choir, but maybe you could pass this along. I see so many friend requests from people on Facebook who, with their words, declare they are Christian, but with their profile picture, posts and the fan pages they “like” say otherwise. Once you declare yourself a Christian, the world is watching and judging. Are you a good example (witness) of Christ in your corner of the Facebook neighborhood?

1. Sultry Eyes

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Your profile picture is sometimes the only thing a prospective Facebook friend can see. Make sure it’s a good representation. Oh most people do go to the trouble of making sure they look nice. They only put up a picture that caught them on a good hair day, but did your profile picture catch you on a good soul day? Does your picture say, “I’m sexy?” Do your eyes suggest you are looking for a relationship or do they really only suggest you are looking for one thing? Are you wearing your Sunday best or your bikini? Are you enticing men with your expression or are you displaying a friendly demeanor? Remember, ladies. Men are visual creatures. This is why God put this verse in His Word:

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” -1 Timothy 2:9-10

2. Foul Language

Yes, as strange as this sounds, I often seen professing Christians reply to people who disagree with them using foul language. In fact, I have seen a professing Christian reply to people she did agree with this way too! Foul language, especially from women, is not something that even today’s secular society accepts. All too often, I see men using foul language in public, around women and children. Such a thing wasn’t acceptable when I was a young girl. Now it is commonplace. Somehow, though, seeing it in print (or text as the case may be) is just a bit more crude and shocking especially coming from a man or woman of God.

3. Suggestive Pictures

My office is also where my son does his school work. From his desk, he can see over his computer to mine and I can’t tell you how many times a Christian Facebook friend has shocked me by posting a picture of a woman draped in only a sheet or…LESS! Even if I didn’t have little eyes peering over at me, I don’t have any desire to see these kinds of pictures. If I see this type of thing while responding to a friend request, I don’t accept. However, when I see this type of thing after I accept and saw that this person proclaims Christianity, I am saddened at the example this person is setting for his/her friends and friends of friends.

4. Un-Christian by Association

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” -2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Christianity isn’t a smorgasbord and it doesn’t live in a vacuum. How we act, what we say and who we associate ourselves with set an example for those who are watching. If you profess Christianity, yet post pictures from a group you belong to that has foul language in its title, what type of example are you setting? If you think, nobody will notice, you’re wrong. What happens when someone really likes that picture and wants to check out where it came from or share it on their wall? Like it or not, by posting a picture shared from a group like this, you are actually communicating that you endorse it—even if you don’t.

Facebook is an online party. You may not realize it, but you’re building a reputation in a public place. We need to be a good, Christian example or we invite others to stumble in their faith. I submit to you that not being careful of your public reputation can also stumble your own faith. You can’t claim Christianity and then act as if you are part of the world. It doesn’t wash. I’ve heard some say they do and say these things in order to relate better with unbelievers. However, I want you to consider that most of the time when we compromise what we know is right, it’s not the unbeliever who is influenced. It is us.

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It’s Innovation/Discovery Week!

October 8, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

Today is Columbus Day which is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October and remembers Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492. His travels to America was a testiment to innovation and discovery so I’ve declared this week to be innovation and discovery week here on the Art of Eloquence blog. I can do that; it’s my blog! ROFL

Today I’m going to share a few innovations of my own, but before that let me tell you what’s coming up this week:

On Wednesday, I’ll have a post celebrating another innovation, the anniversary of the very first two way phone conversation. If you’re a homeschooler, you’ll love this one as I have a video coming explaining how this kind of old technology worked.

Innovation is not only important to science and technology, but to communication. Putting something in a unique way helps to gain people’s attention and to keep it in order to get your point across. Storytelling is a great gift and entertaining to your listeners/readers. In business, this is called your Unique Selling Point. Humor is often innovative, finding new ways to talk about old subjects.

Since Friday is English Language Day, I’ll have a fun video for you of a 102 y/o man explaining in his own style, just how silly the English Language is.

So here, now, is my innovative and humorous attempt to explain some of the unique things I see about language:

Happy Columbus Day! Have an innovative discovery today.

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Is there such a thing as a stupid question? I think there is and here’s why.

October 1, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

Yesterday was Ask a Stupid Question Day. Which always gets me thinking. There is a saying that the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. While I believe, if you truly seek to understand, there probaby is a place for your question, I beg to differ that no questions are stupid. There are, indeed, stupid questions that should never be asked, questions that actually hurt others. Here’s what I mean. There are three main types of (stupid) questions that should never be asked:

1. Questions that seek to show someone up

As a homeschooler for over 13 years, I’ve been asked some really dumb questions. Most of them where from people who didn’t approve of homeschooling. They weren’t asking because they sought to understand. They asked in order to show me up.

I’ve been asked what made me think I was qualified to teach, what right did I have to endanger my child’s education, and how could I do that to my child?

My kids have been asked to recite the Gettysburg Address and multiply 359 by 672 in their head. Fortunately, many of the questions these people asked my children were met with complete shock when they answered them correctly. ;D

I’ve been asked some silly questions about my Christian faith, not vaccinating my son, why I don’t drink tap water and why I don’t have health insurance. All were designed to make me look silly or produce a flustered response.

Just because someone asks a question, doesn’t mean they really want the answer.

2. Questions that invade someone’s privacy

Have you ever had anyone ask you a question only to get you to reveal a private matter the “asker” already knows full-well you don’t want to discuss it in public? These are also stupid questions. They know you won’t answer the question, but they ask in order to delight in seeing you squirm.

Just because someone asks a question, doesn’t mean they expect the answer.

3. Questions that seek to make the person asking seem important or intelligent

Some people don’t seem to get enough recognition in life. They adore feeling like the Big Man on Campus so if nobody strokes their ego, they find a sneaky way of doing it themselves. They ask a question nobody will know the answer to in order to answer thier own question, revealing their inner hero. Sometimes they ask a question knowing that it will prompt another member of the group to bring up a topic that will feed their ego.

Just because someone asks a question, doesn’t mean they don’t know the answer.

Most people ask questions in order to gain understanding, truth and wisdom, but some people who ask questions have ulterior motives and, yes, those are stupid questions. What say you? Anyone ask you any stupid questions lately?

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Filed Under: Communication Articles Tagged With: homeschool, stupid question day, stupid questions

Support an Author Day

September 24, 2012 by Art of Eloquence

A most beloved author, Dr. Seuss, died on this day in 1991. As I reflected on how much joy this author brought to me and my children over the years even after his death, I found an obscure blog post by an author who dubbed a day back in August as Support an Author Day and asked everyone to like his Facebook Fan page. That’s all it said, but it got me thinking.

Do you know an author? I’ll bet you do. Even if he or she doesn’t have an agent or get paid for his or her work, you’ve seen them on Facebook and Twitter. These are folks who take the time to write up their own, unique insights into something, share their one-liners or memes and dare to send them out into the world.

Writing is a lonely profession. It’s most often accomplished in between diaper changes, making dinner and doing the laundry or at 3am, after a long day of work necessary to provide for a family. However, any way you cut it, most writers don’t get paid anywhere near the cost of the effort that’s put into it. Mostly it’s a labour of love and dedication and purpose. So how can you support an author?

1. Click “like” on Facebook

It only takes two seconds of your busy day. Click like to show you care as you are passing by their note. Find their fan page each day or once a week and give them a quick thumbs up.

2. Retweet them on Twitter

Retweets only take seconds now that Twitter has added that new feature. Like something they said? Retweet it and, if you’ve got a few extra seconds, hit reply and tell them what you liked about it.

3. Comment on their blogs or posts

In just a few seconds, you can make a real difference in the life of an author by posting a comment. Let them know how much you liked their post. Share your thoughts about their insights, how they have impacted you or even disagree with them. Just knowing someone read their work and took the time to share their feedback is of great value to a writer.

4. Tell others about them

Share their website or book titles with friends and family, post their links on Facebook and Twitter.

5. Buy their books!

In order to get the word out, most authors give away a great deal of their writing for free: free articles, samples, excerpts and often provide personal one on one help via emails and Facebook PMs. Consider purchasing their materials or giving their novel as a gift.

Authors live to know that their work is appreciated, their words resonate and their ideas have helped someone. Please take a moment today to support an author you know. Then come back here and share how you did that.

Are you an author who writes books, eBooks, devotionals, a blog? Share how you feel when you receive a thumbs up, nice comment or when someone shares your work.

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If you liked this post, read…Seven Reasons Why YOU Should Sign Up for the Art of Eloquence Newsletter!

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Filed Under: Communication Articles Tagged With: Author, books, Dr. Seuss, Facebook, Support an Author Day, Twitter

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