Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Optional Monthly Question: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
Growing up in Texas it didn’t take long to figure out that language had power in more ways than one. Texas is what I call a hotbed, a place where anything can turn bad at any moment. Most of the time, Texas is a lovely place and I enjoy going back to visit often, but I’d never live there as an adult. In this hotbed, you are either white or not white, you either speak English or Spanish, you are either rich or poor, and this goes for everyone. There are some places in Texas that are segregated by the choice of the people who live there. Some Hispanics only want to be around other Hispanics, some blacks only want to be around other blacks, and so on. But, every now and then, someone crosses a line and starts speaking a common language that brings different people together. Sometimes it’s literally a matter of learning someone else’s language and or dialect, but most of the time it’s sharing something; sharing a meal representative of your culture with someone from the outside, or sharing music, or sharing art, or more.
For me personally, I find that people rarely listen to anything I say; if it comes out of my mouth it zooms past other people’s ears. But when I write, when I express myself with my own personal mastery of the English language, people pay attention to what I have to say.
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Today, I have a returning guest to The ToiBox blog. Please check out my interview with author Tatum James.
I’ve been in bed sick for days and just happened to have coughed myself awake when I decided to check my email. I was so thrilled to learn that I’d won an award in the April WEP-IWSG Challenge. Click the image to learn more.
The next challenge opens on June first.
I just finished the IWSG Book Club book and look forward to the discussion. Since I haven’t been online much lately, I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of great polls and discussions, so I hope I don’t miss out on this one (though I know these discussions stay open forever).
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Now, on to the personal updates.
I’m sick, but that’s not unusual. I’m also very blessed.
I’ve been having a tough time lately adjusting to some drastic changes that have helped me balance my day job and my writing. It can be easy to sometimes feel like I’m sacrificing too much. At the end of the day, though, I remind myself of just how blessed I am that these are the woes in my life. There are people around the world who would take on my problems in a heartbeat to be free of theirs.
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Thanks for stopping by.
It may take some time, but I will stop by your blog too.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Lee Lowery,
Juneta Key,
Yvonne Ventresca, and
T. Powell Coltrin!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #45).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
22 replies on “#IWSG May 2019: I’m blessed.”
I love how you remind yourself about how you’re blessed during times of change and sickness. It’s something that I need to remind myself to do when I’m in struggling with something. Amazing how quickly counting your blessings can change your perspective on things.
Yes, it’s all about perspective. Thanks for stopping by.
Sorry you’ve been sick. Congratulations on runner-up.
The written word is one place where it’s a level playing ground.
Yes, being able to write, instead of speak, has helped me many times. Still, sometimes it’s not an option. Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats on the winning and knowing there is more than one way to be heard. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thanks for the well wishes. Being able to write is one blessing I will never take for granted.
Congratulations on being runner-up!
“But, every now and then, someone crosses a line and starts speaking a common language that brings different people together.” I LOVE that! If only it happened more often.
I know what you mean about feeling as though people don’t listen when you speak. I have that a lot within my own family…the territory of being the youngest I suppose.
Thanks for the well wishes. I too am the youngest, so I get that with family. Unfortunately, I sometimes find myself having to disprove sterotypes or overcome prejudices with others. Still, there have been times when I’ve left people notes of words previously spoken that were not received when spoken but were accepted once read. Hey, whatever works; right?
Sorry you’re sick! It seems like you have a great attitude, though! It’s important to remind ourselves that things aren’t always so bad.
Thanks, Sarah. I haven’t always had such a great attitude, but I decided that life is easier when counting blessings than collecting grievances.
I really liked what you wrote about the different ethnic groups and their languages coming together with a common language. Well done.
Congrats to your WEP Award.
Thanks for the well wishes. I think it’s always good to consider that people who are different from you, probably have more in common with you than you realize. Being open-minded is a quality I cherish.
Congrats, and God speed on the mending! Nobody likes being sick, of course, but accolades help the mending. That and strength and attitude. Great post.
I feel writing gives us a way to hold the thinking people’s attention better as well. Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks for the well wishes and thanks for stopping by. I like the idea of communicating with “thinking people.”
I hope you feel better soon. I’m surprised you even posted. Congrats on working through sickness.
Thank you.
I hope you feel better soon. Being sick even if in area of normal is not fun. Congrats on your reward. Happy IWSG.
Thank you.
You make a good observation about people not listening when you speak. People can be terrible listeners – even some readers misunderstand things. Language can unite us or divide us. It’s down to willingness to open ourselves to others’ lives.
Thank you.
Dear Toi,
Congratulations on your Jewel Box, WEP-IWSG, award.
Thank you for this heartfelt post on the importance of language. In France we also have segregation according to language (‘argot de banlieue’ , a form of slang which corresponds to poorer areas of big cities: young people of working class, Arab or African descent) There is a great film about this called Le Brio by Yvan Attal (Charlotte Gainsbourg’s husband).
to know more go here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Brio
they qualify it as a comedy, but I do not agree, it is a very serious debate on society in France.
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. So please visit me and share, contributing to new nominations.
Have a lovely day.
Sunshine here in Toulouse.
Cheers
Susan Rouchard
So sorry I’m just now seeing this message. I think it went to spam because there was no name or link attached to it. Thank you for your kind words and the nomination. Sorry if I missed out on participating.