What a challenge to Write 31 Days! A blog post a day for the 31 consecutive days of October. Every.single.day. Yikes! I’m not doing this alone either. There are over 1,000 writers tapping away daily for the next 31 days on many different topics. Nine different theme categories for writers to share their passion for words. My writing category is Inspiration & Faith. The eight other categories allow writers lots of creative space. Please take some time this month to connect with other writers as well. I’ll share the link to where you can check them out at the end of this post.
I write a lot in my head. It’s safe there. No risk. But there’s no growth without change and no stretching without risk so I have to put my fingers to the keyboard and make it happen.
It has taken me several weeks to land on my theme. I considered what I love to talk with people about, figuring that would be an easy way to write. I thought about different ways to approach the one thing I can’t help but do when I’m talking: encouraging people. I love to listen, hearing what’s going on in someone’s life; specifically their spiritual life. I’ve decided to put these two things together. Encouraging and listening. I’m going to write for 31 Days serving up encouragement to step forward in your life in 3 different ways: Getting to Know God; Soul Searching; and Serving Others. My series title? Living in Tandem.
Why that title? Well it’s a long story so I’ll tell you in pieces over the next 31 posts!! Let me start by blaming my friend and mentor Peggy because she pointed out an area of my life that was in dire need of change…my attitude toward my husband. 18 years ago she told me I needed to get on the back of a tandem bike and learn to work out some attitude issues. I thought she was kidding but she persisted. Colin & I borrowed their tandem and rode it around their neighborhood. I was petrified! I couldn’t steer, I couldn’t brake or control the speed! Colin was completely responsible for our very lives!!! My need for control, fears and lack of trust were activated 100% during that short turn around a couple of blocks. Colin had a great time. I mean GREAT TIME!! When we got back to their driveway my heart was nearly jumping out of my throat and he had the giant little kid grin. He loved it and I was petrified. That spoke volumes.
As much as I hated to admit I had such big issues to deal with, I had to agree with Peggy. I needed to work through some big things and the tandem bike was obviously a ‘fun for Colin’ option. We went tandem shopping that day, but it wasn’t until several weeks later, Father’s Day of 1997, that we got our first tandem bicycle. It has become a significant tool God has used to grow & change me and, dare I say, shape me? Learning to live in tandem in all areas of my life has been (and continues to be) a journey of many miles. Over the miles I’ve come to realize this metaphor isn’t simply about marriage. I promise I won’t overwork the metaphor on a daily basis but I am really excited to share what I’ve learned along the Way. Most of all I’m excited to show you how these big ideas are for you too, even if you never get on the back of a literal tandem bicycle!
Obviously I would love to have you not only read my blog series but comment on what you read; letting me and others know how these words have encouraged you. Or maybe how you take issue with what I’ve said. Or perhaps you’ll have feedback on my writing style. I’m not the authority; I’m simply a fellow pilgrim moving through this life hoping to make positive impact on those I encounter. Your feedback will be so helpful!
Will you join me on this ride?
Come back here to get caught up if you miss a post. I’ll be using this as my landing page so each post will have a link to it’s page here and I’ll add it daily. And here’s the link to the main page for Write 31 Days writing challenge where you can find other amazing writers sharing their various passions.
Day 2 Living in Tandem with Others
Day 3 Living in Tandem Requires Movement
Day 7 When Relationships Hit a Rough Patch
Day 8 The Push & Pull of Being a Control Freak
Day 11 The Basic Elements of Living in Tandem
Day 14 Muscle Building (Learning to Trust)
Day 19 When Enthusiasm is AWOL
Day 21 Living in Tandem Isn’t Flashy
Day 26 Moving Forward by Being Still
Day 29 Relationships are Better in Tandem
Looking forward to following you along in this journey!
Thanks Barbie! I’m so thankful for your artistic help! Looking forward to reading your series on 31 Days of Writing Free! Glad your link is up and working after all your hassle!
Okay, that’s a good follow up to our chat yesterday! Thanks. Perhaps if my husband and I had tried to ride a tandem many years ago, we might have learned some of the lessons we are just learning now. What a picture!
… do you still have the bike?
Linda,
I’m glad you see the parallel! I’ve encouraged many couples to try out our tandem; I think it’s a perfect picture for relationships. We sold our original tandem but purchased another, newer and lighter tandem. Thanks for reading and commenting by the way!