Taking Risks

This week while I was wondering around in the unbelievably diverse world wide web, I discovered Lisa-Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday. A great place to flex your writing muscles without fear of - well anything really.  Early Friday morning Lisa-Jo posts a word, a link and the simple rule of visiting the person who linked before you and offering encouragement for their effort. The idea is to write spontaneously for five minutes with total abandon. No planning and no editing. Totally cool. Lots of people participate and it’s really interesting to read how differently we all spend our five minutes.

Intrigued, I decided to give it a go. After scoping out this week’s word (Risk) I opened a new document, set the timer on my phone and let the words fall where they may.  Here’s what happened:

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Ready – GO!

Risk

Typically I am not one to take risks.  When I was younger it was a different story.  Then I was all about living on the edge and taking chances. Now, though as I approach 50 – wow 50! I look at things differently. I evaluate the outcome of my choices and my behavior. I know now that if I take a chance or a risk I may not bounce back as quickly as I once did.

But I will take risks in other areas that I didn’t when I was young.  Now I will wear what makes me comfortable and risk being out of style. Or, I’ll say what I really think about something and risk ruffling a few feathers. I’ll also ask questions when I don’t know the answer and risk looking foolish. Because these days it’s much more important …

STOP!

Five minutes goes by really quickly.  It took a few moments to get started. Even though the directions say to just write what comes to mind first, I couldn’t do it. I needed to think a little – otherwise I’m afraid it would have been a bunch of sentence fragments.  In the free form writing of my youth I think I remember taking a bit of time to organize my thoughts before putting pen to paper, but I may just be trying to rationalize my more restrained adult self!  I found it hard to stop myself from editing as I went along – because that’s what I always do.  It was a refreshing and entertaining exercise, and I’m glad I gave it a try. I need to push myself outside of my comfort zone and allow my creative mind some new influences.  I encourage you to take a peek and see what it’s all about.

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Two crochet projects are dominating my hooks this weekend. I’m nearly finished with the Angry Red Bird Hat that I’m testing for Sue, and the Juliana Mod Wrap is making swift progress. It’s great when something takes shape rapidly. It keeps me motivated. Before I settle down with a cool iced-tea and my yarn I’m going to stop in and see what everyone else is up to this weekend. Why don’t you join me?

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch and read with love!