Heather Holleman's Blog, page 152

First Little Dusting

It always feels a little magical when you wake up to snow. Even a little snow–like this first dusting–brings back the joy of a childhood always waiting for snow in the wintertime.

I love looking up into the streetlights to check for signs of snowfall in the cold, dark evening. I love watching the swirl of snowfall that transforms the neighborhood into a snow globe. I love the contrast of cold, white snow outside and the warm lights of a cozy living room. I love coming in from snow–the hot cocoa, the steaming soup, and the soft blankets and slippers. Then, I love going out into snow–the sharp inhale of freezing air, the blackness of the trees, and the soft compression of it under my boots. I love winter animal tracks after a fresh snowfall in the forest and the whispery, tinkling sound of snow falling there.

Remember Gratitude

If you don’t know where to start when talking to God, remember gratitude. I love writing down all the things I’m thankful for. It cultivates a happy heart. I especially love thanking God for things that seem disappointing, painful, or hard because it demonstrates faith in God’s goodness and sovereignty.

I run through the day I’ve had so far. I talk to God and thank Him for so many things.

Everything You Need

This morning as I prayed for my children, the same verse kept resonating in my mind. It brought such comfort to my soul and provided a rich promise. In 2 Peter 1:2-4, we read this:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:2-4

I returned to the phrase “everything we need.” Joy filled my heart as I considered that God gives us everything we need. We have everything we need to live the life God asks us to live. This godly life depends upon divine power–which leads us to remember the Holy Spirit’s unlimited power available to us–and allows us to “participate in the divine nature.”

Can you imagine? Do you have chills? God is making us more like Him right now and enabling us to participate is His divine nature. This divine nature brings up so many wonderful ideas: we live a life of divine love, divine power, divine mercy, divine wisdom, divine peace, and divine joy. May we grow more and more into this divine nature.

Time Management Tips for Writers

This week, a few people contacted me to ask about time management when trying to finish a writing project. In fact, over the past several months, I’ve been hearing the question more and more. How do you find time to write? How do I finish my project? Tell me the secret!

Since, I’ve published eight books, written four novels, completed a dissertation and two thesis projects, I can offer some wisdom. Below you’ll find Practical Tips for Time Management and then a bonus tip for ways to motivate yourself as a writer.

Practical Tips for Time Management

Write during your most creative and alert hours. For me, this is in the morning. I write from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on my non-teaching days. If you feel most creative and alert at night, write then. Save all the activities that don’t require creative work (errands, cleaning, other work responsibilities) till when you’re exhausted and don’t need creative thinking. I do all this boring stuff in the afternoon and evenings. 

Schedule your writing like it’s an appointment with yourself. Don’t take any phone calls / texts / social media messages during this time. Make it a great time, too. Fix a delicious cup of coffee or tea, have snacks on hand, etc. 

Don’t wait to feel inspired or ready to write. Those feelings will come as you get into the writing each day. 

Always keep the document open on your computer, and feel free to dip in wherever you feel inclined. You might only have 5 minutes. And you might feel like writing a scene in Chapter 10 instead of working on Chapter 2. I often don’t write chronologically or work on just one chapter at a time.

Try to achieve a word count if that helps motivate you. Aim for just 500 words a day and see what happens. You’ll often pass this goal easily.

Bonus: However, as I’ve coached many writers over the years, I discovered that it’s not really about finding more time. The real issue? Confidence and calling. In other words, writers who feel confident and a sense of calling to their project work differently. They find the time to write; they stick to deadlines; they finish projects. So remember: You’re the one to write this project. And you can do it.

A Blessing to Pray Over Someone

This morning, I send portions of Psalm 20 (written by King David before entering into battle) to a few loved ones. It functions as a beautiful prayer of blessing over people, and I thought you’d enjoy these powerful words and the parts I bolded as you pray for yourself and others this morning.

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob  protect you.
May he send you help  from the sanctuary
    and grant you support  from Zion.
May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.

What a beautiful way to pray for others. I especially love David’s wisdom after he writes, “May the Lord grant all your requests” in verse 5. He writes this about God:

He answers. . . from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

I like to consider what I’m trusting in for sure answers, solutions, or success. Is it more money? Better doctors or health? Meeting the right people? Is my hope in the right leader or the right political party? What exactly do I put my hope in for the path ahead? Some trust in that thing or person, but we trust in the name of our Lord.

Stay Calm. Make No Sudden Movements.

I stand quietly at the kitchen sink with all my vegetables washed and ready for slicing. I’m happy with the little grab-n-go bags of veggies that will stand ready in the fridge for school lunches. In the quiet of the kitchen, I’m listening to the fighting of teenage girls.

This time, I don’t enter in. I stay calm. I make no sudden movements. They want me to pick sides. They want me to show some kind of emotion. I slice a pepper slowly. And then, I talk about my rhetoric classes. I remind them that nobody is going to win this fight. And that’s not the goal, anyway.

It used to be my goal, but I’ve changed. They can change, too.

I’m learning to stay calm when people around me (in particular teenage people) burst into some kind of argument. For most of my life, I’ve relished winning arguments, but this doesn’t ever persuade anyone in a loving way. I’m the type of girl who might jump into a family argument with a list of logical points to prove my point. But lately, I’ve been practicing what I teach in my rhetoric courses.

You listen. You summarize the other person’s point of view. You even find common ground. You concede as many points as you can. You focus on the other person, not your desire to win. And you show them, in the end, why your point of view perhaps benefits them.

But winning isn’t the goal. Love is the goal.

Every one calms down and relates peacefully once again.

Just Go Around Me

This morning, I read a sweet bumper sticker that said, “I’m retired. Just go around me.”

Just go around me.

I smiled as I considered this older person taking his sweet time to drive down the road. He didn’t need to rush, arrive first, win any prize, or prove himself. He’s too old for that nonsense. Just go around him.

I thought of living the kind of life where you take your time with life. You slow down so much that you’d kindly say to others, “I’m going at a slower pace. Just go around me.”

And then you let all the rushing, ambitious, stressed-out folks race on ahead into their busy, busy days. Meanwhile, you’re enjoying a peaceful journey at another, better pace.

10 Gift Ideas for the Writer in Your Life

Sometimes folks ask me for my best gift ideas for writers. Here you go! Since I write for long stretches of time, I love these ten products (or variations of them) that help make the writing day wonderful. Quick list summary: amazing pens, a spiral journal, good coffee, slippers, fancy tea, nuts and dried fruit, dark chocolate, a restaurant gift card, a soy candle collection, or a cardigan with pockets for chilly afternoons.

For recording great ideas and outlining chapters: The TUL retractable gel pen.

2. To keep nearby for use with the new pens: Spiral Journal

3. To sip in the morning to begin a day of writing: Lavazza Espresso

4. To keep feet cozy and warm while writing, and to function as both indoor and outdoor shoes to grab the mail, walk the dog, or stretch the legs for a short walk: Great Slippers

5. As the day continues, writers need a tea break with the best tea: Tea Forte

6. And of course, they need healthy mid-morning and afternoon snacks, so I suggest any kind of dried fruit and nut collection.

7. And some sweet treats: Dark Chocolate

8. Don’t forget a restaurant gift card for writers with manuscript deadlines.

9. Perhaps a soy candle to create a nice writing atmosphere.

10. Finally, a cardigan with pockets for chilly evenings. The pockets hold the phone and the chocolates, of course.

I hope you like this little gift guide for the writer in your life!

PS: Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com, so I earn from qualifying purchases.

Little Acorn People: A New Craft Idea

Today a friend alerted me to these adorable photos of little acorn people from the Facebook group called, “You Need More Art in Your Life.” I just love these creative little acorn people! Feel free to check out the post on Facebook to see more photos.

From “You Need More Art in Your Life” Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youARTlife/



From “You Need More Art in Your Life” Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/youARTlife/

The Nature of a Servant

In a workplace environment, I’ve learned to ask God what it means for me to be like Jesus who, as described best by Paul in Philippians 2:7, “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. . . “

In the simplest way to think about it, a servant serves others rather than herself. She performs helpful tasks to make life run smoothly for others. She often takes on duties that others do not want to do. There’s also a willing, humble attitude about the whole thing. I think of Jesus who deserved highest honor and for others to serve Him, but instead, He’s the One washing the feet of the disciples. He’s the One laying down His life.

I call my oldest daughter and ask how I might serve her today to make her life easier. I ask about any errands I might complete for her or ways I can free up time in her overwhelming schedule. Something feels right about this, like the day was about this all along.