Thank You For Your Kindness

In response to the Coffee Challenge; Why I am a pro shoutout movement

Our words are our offspring. We gave birth to them, and like any parent, we want to see them appreciated. We want to see them spread love and make an impact.

We all have planted the seeds to embark on this writing journey. Sometimes we worry that if we water the seeds of others and don’t spend enough time watering our own, it will not grow.

Think about it this way. If we spend time watering someone else’s, the soil around our seeds will never run dry. Someone will be around to ensure it receives all the water it needs in return –it’s a part of giving back.

It took me some time to call myself a writer or feel comfortable sharing my work on any platform. Because of the constant support I have received from other writers, I can confidently say that I am a writer.

I can’t tell you how many times a smile has crossed my face while reading someone’s kind words of encouragement. Even from miles away, they have left such an impact that not only made me feel good inside but prompted me to do the same.

A gentle wave hit me, creating ripples that I transferred to other writers.

The Importance of A Shoutout

A shoutout is about showing appreciation and doing so publicly. Letting that person and the whole world know that you think their work is fantastic or how much their writing resonates with you. Receiving a shoutout is like winning a prize. It comes in as a surprise which makes it even more appreciated.

I was so touched by a piece that Marilyn Glover wrote about me. My eyes were teary just after reading the title. It’s now a treasured piece that I will always keep with me.

I continue to use all the positive words I have received to build a stronger foundation to walk more confidently in my writing journey. That foundation has grown stronger because of the many people who continue to offer their support, and it wouldn’t exist without them.

My feet are grateful for being provided with this path to now walk on. If I feel this way, I know that reciprocating is the way to go. I do my best to read and support others, and as a new writer of Coffee Times and a fan of the shoutouts, I will be sure to shine a light on other writers.

There is so much we can learn from the world around us. Both the sun and the rain have their moments in nature, and there are instances where they both coincide. Together they can create a sun shower that often leads to a beautiful rainbow. Rainbows contain different colors that form an arc.

If light entering a water droplet can produce this beauty, we too can achieve great things when we come together. The colors of the rainbow represent us working side by side to uplift each other. We can each be a splash of color, creating a rainbow effect all around us in the writing community.

Let us not be like plants that compete for the sunlight by shadowing those we read as competition.

We each can get our dose of the sun, and if we are in the shadow, be patient, the right time will come. If someone is not having the best day, your shoutout might be the sunlight they need to create a rainbow in their world.

I have found a home in the writing community because every shoutout has been an open hand ready to welcome me.

It’s not all about taking Our hands are open Not only for receiving but for giving Extending a helping hand in time of need Remembering there’s a place in this world for both you and me Whatever we do should be done out of love Being kind builds a network We can use our words to uplift instead of being a judge Where ever you are on the map Is never too far away to receive a shoutout

A Special thanks to Hamsalekha, Sahil Patel, Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar, Omy, Gurpreet Dhariwal, A.H. Mehr, Arbab Z., Marilyn Glover, Terry Mansfield, David Perlmutter, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Penelope Mayfield, Danielle Loewen, Michelle Renee Kidwell, Annelise Lords, Shameem Anwar, Paul Douglas, Neera Handa Dr, Kris Bedenian, I. Trudie Palmer, Alison McBain, Jade Hadfield, B.R. Shenoy, A Rustic Mind (Manali Desai), Dr. Preeti Singh, ☕️ShannonMoose, Vashni Stories, Nandkishor Shingne, Shuntay Wright, Anastasia S. Manyonga, Filza Chaudhry, Trista Signe Ainsworth, Britt Blomster, DMTakeshi, Teisha LeShea and so many others who continue to support and inspire me here on this platform. Each follower is appreciated and everyone who takes the time to read any of my pieces holds a special place in my heart. I am grateful for every clap, read, and comment.

A special shoutout to Coffee Times and all of it its amazing editors, readers, and writers. Thank you Winston for this uplifting challenge.

The deadline for this challenge is December 10th and I need 1,000 claps. Every clap helps and don’t forget to be kind and give a shoutout. Thanks again to all of you.