Make an Observation
When I released my eBook, a dear friend told me what he would like to see is my inspirational writing. He’s a wise man, so I listened. Every day I find some time to go back through years of writing to find what of it still inspires me.
Yesterday, I found these thoughts — each expressed in 25 words.
I watch her
work tirelessly for others,
making withdrawals
from her emotional bank account.No time for a deposit.
No wonder she feels without funds.——
I watch myself
focusing intently,
giving my brain control
of my emotional bank account.Time to stop and marvel
before my funds start running out.
I had this thought in 25 more words. . . .
Words measured carefully
tell how we use our life and our energy.It took only 25 words to say
we need to love ourselves first.
Would you add 25 words of your own?
The 25 Words of Work / Life Wisdom Writing Project
Will you accept my invitation to put 25 words of advice or wisdom into a blog post? Here’s how you might go about it.
- Look for something you see too much or too little of.
- Write a sentence about it.
- Count the words you have written.
- Edit the sentence until you have 25 words exactly. Notice how your idea changes as you edit and how your feelings change with each rewrite.
- Add a picture if you can.
- Post your 25 words on your blog by July 19th.
- Link back to this post or leave a link to your post in the comments section.
I don’t want to miss yours when I compile all of them.
It will be my challenge to a creative way to connect all of the ideas together. In a giant “25 words of wisdom” blog post, featuring what you wrote.
Are you in? Surely you have 25 words to spare for this one.
Click to see the SLIDES of what everyone wrote.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Karin H. says
July 9, 2008 at 7:19 AMHi Liz
Never sure if typepad trackbacks work with wordpress, but 25 it is:
Time
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 7:24 AMHi Karin!
You sure show that it doesn’t need to take TIME to say something important. Wow!
Thanks for that!
Bhupesh Shah says
July 9, 2008 at 7:36 AMIt takes a moment to say I love you but a lifetime to remember that you didn’t.
Mark Goodyear says
July 9, 2008 at 7:41 AMOh yeah. I can get excited about this one. Here’s a ten word thought about vacation:
It’s okay
to do stuff,
but stuff
isn’t rest
necessarily.
There’s a variation on this about truth (instead of rest), but it contains some naughty words (instead of stuff).
Karin H. says
July 9, 2008 at 7:44 AMHi Liz
You could call it a quick rant about another experience I had today 😉
Karin H
stephentrepreneur says
July 9, 2008 at 7:59 AMHello Liz, it’s been a while since I’ve left a message or commented on your site. But I saw your message in twitter earlier, and just had to have a go at this great idea of yours:
Here is the result. Hope you like it.
Karen Swim says
July 9, 2008 at 8:06 AMLiz, what a wonderful idea! I’m in too but I’ll need more time than Karin. 🙂
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 8:09 AMHi Bhupesh!
It would be a good life to remember those words.
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 8:10 AMThanks, Mark!
I’m so with you!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 8:11 AMAh, Karin,
Other people are so often the motivation for our clearest thoughts and best writing.
mark says
July 9, 2008 at 8:11 AMHi Liz! I saw your tweet and figured I would just paste my entry below –
I live in a tropical paradise, yet I think about the orphans and refugees around the world who are suffering. It’s time to take action.
Have a GREAT day.
MH
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 8:11 AMStephen,
I hope your sentence gets picked up and passed on.
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 8:12 AMCan’t wait, Karen. . . .
Diana says
July 9, 2008 at 9:40 AMLiz,
Here are mine:
http://willowbrook2.livejournal.com/
DazzlinDonna says
July 9, 2008 at 10:01 AMHere’s mine: Shine
Karen Lynch says
July 9, 2008 at 11:27 AM“The details of the gathering don’t matter; what matters is that you gather.”
Liz, I posted this today at http://www.pinkribbonreview.com and think for sure this will be a regular thing on my site. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 12:38 PMKaren,
I’ve already been there to see it!
I think I might do it more often as well!
Courtney says
July 9, 2008 at 2:00 PMI think this is such a great idea.
I posted 25 words here:
http://amomspeaks.com/2008/07/09/25-words-im-no-supermom/
Cath Lawson says
July 9, 2008 at 3:42 PMHi Liz – I’ll give it a try. It’s a little bit intimidating after reading the great ones you’ve written though.
Casey Zalusky says
July 9, 2008 at 5:31 PMThanks for getting this started. While I don’t have a blog, it’s great to read what others have shared.
Jennifer Mannion says
July 9, 2008 at 9:24 PMHi Liz, As I twittered to you — I LOVED this writing project. Thank you! I had been “working” on a post for 2 days that was stumping me. I saw your post and KNEW that would take the place of my previous post! It was JUST what I needed and I could see using this exercise for a long time to come! Hope you like my 2 entries and I can’t wait to see how you tie them all together! Thanks again. Gratefully, Jenny
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:36 PM@16
Diana!
I was over there this afternoon. Beautiful!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:37 PM#18
Donna,
That’s one of my favorites!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:38 PMYeah, Courtney,
I’m no supermom either!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:38 PMNo worries, Cath,
Once you get started it gets easier.
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:39 PMCasey,
I’m enjoying this as much as you are!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 9, 2008 at 10:40 PMHi Jenny!
What a great way to get to know you!
This particular 25 word thing has served me well for years. 😉
mousewords says
July 10, 2008 at 2:05 AMI just wrote 50 thousand words last month. I can spare 25. 😉
But wow. I can only hope they’ll be as beautiful as yours!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 10, 2008 at 5:33 AMHi Mousewords!
Thanks for taking part. I know that you’ll be doing something that will make my mind want stare and my heart take notice.
Ami says
July 12, 2008 at 9:52 PMHi Liz! Thanks for this prompt. It inspired a prompt at my writing blog and I posted my own version here:
http://writingherlife.blogspot.com/2008/07/exercising-my-writing-muscles.html
Thanks again for the great prompt.
ME Liz Strauss says
July 13, 2008 at 10:12 AMHi Amy!
Thanks for being a part! I’m delighted you found it useful!
Terry Starbucker says
July 16, 2008 at 12:46 PMHi Liz – Thanks for the inspiration; here’s my post: http://tinyurl.com/6ceblz. I also linked back. Look forward to your “connecting” post!
Terry
SpaceAgeSage says
July 16, 2008 at 4:54 PMOkay, finally took your challenge, but not sure about trackbacks, so my post is here.
Thanks for the mental fun!
Claire "Blog Angel" Raikes says
July 16, 2008 at 6:18 PMHi Liz, I couldn’t see a trackback url anywhere, so have come back here to share my efforts:
http://www.businessblogangel.com/bizblogangel/2008/07/liz-strauss-25.html
For someone who tends to use 400 words when 40 will do, this has been a really valuable exercise for me – so thank you very much. :o)
Claire "Blog Angel" Raikes says
July 16, 2008 at 6:21 PMHi Liz, I couldnt find a trackback url anywhere so here are my efforts:
http://www.businessblogangel.com/bizblogangel/2008/07/liz-strauss-25.html
For someone who tends to use 400 words when 40 will do, this has been a really valuable exercise – so thank you for that. :o)
ME Liz Strauss says
July 16, 2008 at 7:05 PMEveryone has done such great things with so few words!!
Brad Shorr says
July 17, 2008 at 10:49 AMSuper idea, Liz. Can’t wait to read them. Here’s mine –
http://tinyurl.com/5gmu45
ME Liz Strauss says
July 17, 2008 at 9:26 PMthanks Brad!
Brad Shorr says
July 18, 2008 at 7:13 AMHi again Liz, here is an entry from a client and very new blogger –
http://tinyurl.com/5hnw6v
Karen Swim says
July 18, 2008 at 8:50 AMHi Liz, this was great fun! Here’s mine: http://tinyurl.com/5q3pda
Mother Earth says
July 18, 2008 at 10:00 AMHere is mine dear liz
http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2008/07/18/25-friday-words-liz-strauss-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx
happy weekend 🙂
Katie Konrath says
July 18, 2008 at 2:15 PMHey Liz,
This was fun. I’m looking forward to the results – it always amazes me how many different texts can result from a restrictive writing project.
My 25 words are at http://www.getfreshminds.com/2008/07/25-words.html
I’d put them here, but then you’d miss the fabulous picture I found!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 18, 2008 at 4:41 PMHey Katie!
I’m looking forward to figuring out what to do with all of them. It’s a challenge of more than 25 words . . .
Love the picture!
ME Liz Strauss says
July 18, 2008 at 4:48 PMThanks Karen!
It’s beautiful and brilliant. Thank you for all of it.
ME Liz Strauss says
July 18, 2008 at 4:49 PMHi Mother Earth!
That photo so perfectly fits your clouds beneath your feet feeling. 🙂
Suzie Cheel says
July 19, 2008 at 1:57 AMjust posted
http://abundancehighway.com/lizs-25-word-inspiration/
mousewords says
July 19, 2008 at 2:53 AMI got sidelined by loss of internet connection today, but I finally got my words in!
http://mousewords.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/25-words/
ME Liz Strauss says
July 19, 2008 at 7:25 AMHi Mousewords,
It was worth waiting for!
Stephen says
July 19, 2008 at 8:00 AMI know that it is late in the process, but here is my contribution: http://tinyurl.com/5jov9q
Thanks, Liz!!
Todd Jordan says
July 19, 2008 at 8:48 AMWhat a great project Liz.
Here’s my entry: http://www.toddrjordan.com/thebroadbrush/2008/07/writing-project-25-words-of-work-life-wisdom/
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work says
July 19, 2008 at 9:11 AMHi Liz, I’m pleased to find this challenge today. You can read my 25 words here:
http://www.delightfulwork.com/2008/07/19/wildness/.
Peter Knight says
July 19, 2008 at 9:31 AMGreat exercise Liz! Here’s my entry:
http://www.byknight.com/journal/
Joe says
July 19, 2008 at 9:46 AMThis is not really all that good, but I wanted to give you a little 25 word thought.
How can we live without wondering how we got to where we are
I read my Grandfathers WWI Diary, now again he’s not so far.
Burma Shave (you know I just had to add that!)
ME Liz Strauss says
July 19, 2008 at 10:15 AMThanks @Stephen,
Great food for thinking in your thought. 🙂
ME Liz Strauss says
July 19, 2008 at 10:19 AMHi Peter!
Creativity finds the perfect answer inside the question . . . had I fewer goals, less haste, and more patience I would make this comment exactly 25 words.
Oh I did. 🙂
ME Liz Strauss says
July 19, 2008 at 10:20 AMThank you, Joe!!
[grin]
TheFemGeek says
July 19, 2008 at 11:01 AMHey started a Tumblr blog to get the old cranium working and here is where I put my 25 words. Hope you like:
http://tiff-thefemgeek.tumblr.com/
Bobby Clark says
July 19, 2008 at 11:14 AMNeed to wake up
From this automated existence
Learn to live life passionately
As time is running out
And there is much yet to experience.
Liz Williams says
July 19, 2008 at 11:26 AMCouldn’t resist this challenge:
Majestic white egret walking ahead turns to stare, oh mystical union! She shudders and plop – a spreading white puddle. Laughing, we get out the hose.
(file under: see too much of this )
Meryl333 says
July 19, 2008 at 11:27 AMLife is a series of selected fictions. When we acknowledge our shared Truth we find Unity/Love.
Aaron Stroud says
July 19, 2008 at 1:42 PMGreat idea Liz! Here’s mine: the neglected path.
Mark says
July 19, 2008 at 1:54 PMIn case WordPress loses the back link – http://lostconsciousness.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/%e2%80%9cphotography-is-truth-and-cinema-is-truth-at-24-frames-per-second%e2%80%9d/
Lara, The Data Digger says
July 19, 2008 at 3:29 PMI found this writing exercise irresistible! Thanks to Vicky @eeUS for giving me the link. Thanks Liz for the motivational boost!
http://laranieberding.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/the-25-words-of-work-life-wisdom-writing-project/
David Taboada says
July 19, 2008 at 4:06 PMLoving souls
Phil Baumann says
July 19, 2008 at 10:01 PMHate to be redundant, but not sure if my post will track back. Here’s the link
http://philbaumann.com/2008/07/19/25-words/
John Cooper says
July 19, 2008 at 10:02 PMI’m getting these (I wrote two of them!) in under the wire, so I hope I see them in your compendium – what a great idea! 25
http://www.metronetiq.com/archives/2008/07/the_25_word_cha.html#more
Anant says
July 20, 2008 at 1:20 AMOne wishes that we all went back to having a lifetime to describe things that mattered instead of counting words – as I am doing now.
Phil Whitehouse says
July 20, 2008 at 7:47 AMNice idea! Sorry I only heard about this today. But here’s my effort:
http://philwhitehouse.blogspot.com/2008/07/25-words.html
elaineb says
July 20, 2008 at 2:23 PMHer is mine`s!
http://houseofluxe.com/2008/07/20/25-words-of-work-life-or-wisdom/
Mark David Gerson says
July 20, 2008 at 7:02 PMHere’s mine (even though I know I’m too late):
Today I remember that surrender is the key to writing and life: trusting that all is in divine order in every moment, in every breath.
http://markdavidgerson.blogspot.com/2008/07/25-words-of-living.html
ME Liz Strauss says
July 20, 2008 at 10:09 PMHi Elaine, Phil, and Mark!
Spent the last two days working on how to present these. Managed to include you all. 🙂
Karen Levio says
December 2, 2008 at 7:03 PMHi:)
What a good day I can share this thoughts of mine.
Saying words to someone must be comes
in the heart not in mind.coz words are
easy than actions.
Once you say It, You do it.
Karen
ME Liz Strauss says
December 2, 2008 at 7:08 PMHi Karen,
Thank you for sharing those heartfelt words. I hear you.