by Cathy Baker
While giving a book review on Twyla Tharp’s, The Creative Habit, at this month’s writers’ meeting, I pronounced creatively
as if it was a five syllable word: cre-a-tiv-e-ly. I caught it before
it left my tongue but by then it was too late. Let’s just say the review
quickly morphed into comic relief. I’m still getting emails from group
members saying how much they enjoyed it. As comedian Mark Lowery used
to say, “I just wanna be a blessing!”
Not so long ago, questions like, What kind of writer mispronounces such a common word? Will my peers think I’m stupid? would’ve pummeled by conscience for days. Truth
is, I’ve been creating “new” words, sharing Southernisms (common words
for Southerners, not so common to others), unintentionally reversing the
order of well-known phrases, and mispronouncing your favorite words for
years. (Brian has kept a running tab of my new,
funky and mispronounced word choices for the past twenty-five years, just for the fun of it.)
A number of touch-points in recent months, however, have given me a NEW way of approaching my silly blunders, and that is to ask myself the question: So what?
Do I care what others think? Of course I do, but it’s when I become overly concerned that the hissing of self-judgment slithers its way to my heart, leaving it vulnerable to the enemy of lies.
Bottom line, if God isn’t offended by my blunders, I shouldn’t be either. Oh the joy that comes in knowing that the Hard-Wirer of my soul loves me, my quirks, my endless blundersโand dare I say, my comic relief?
Your turn! When your words or actions fumble are you quick to recover? Please say you do these things. ๐
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
No comments? I'll be the first. Yes, we all make mistakes but I'm so thankful He doesn't keep track! I make more verbal mistakes since I started having migraines a few years ago. Some words would come out just the opposite of what I had intended. ("hot for cold" or "puppy for kitten.")I usually know immediately and make a face and just continue. Praise the Lord, we have the written word, spell check and friends who will tell me when I have made a mistake. ๐
Oh I love this, Cathy! We spend so much energy worrying over what others think about silly stuff, when we could put that energy to share His Great Name! Thanks for the reminder. (And yea, your book review was a lot of fun!) ๐
((Hugs))
Oh I love this, Cathy! We spend so much energy worrying over what others think about silly stuff, when we could put that energy to share His Great Name! Thanks for the reminder. (And yea, your book review was a lot of fun!) ๐
(Hugs)
Amen, Kathy! It's nice knowing I'm not alone on this journey. I'm sorry you're suffering with migraines. ๐
Thank you for being my first commenter! Love from SC…
Vonda, I've always appreciated your transparency. It's a gift to us all. Thanks for sharing the "big picture" perspective.
Love and appreciate you much!
Have mercy, if I had a dollar for every misspoken word or embarrassing thing… As I've gotten older, it's bothered me less and less, and I've learned to make light of those things. (They provide pretty good speaking material too)
I taught my kids to laugh at themselves and to remember most people are more concerned about their OWN embarrassments. Great post, Cathy!
I knew we were kindred spirits from the get-go Susan. ha! ๐ Hmmm…good writing material. Maybe I should start trying to remember those from the past instead of forgetting them. ๐ I'll borrow Brian's notes!
Hugs from SC, sweet friend.