Sep 24, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, On Faith.
I’m gonna keep this short.
You’re here for a purpose.
Not only that, but you’re where you are for a purpose.
Will you stay there? Probably not, and that’s okay. Because life is always full of movement. Just like a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
But know this: If you’re breathing, there’s a reason.
You have a purpose.
“But our bodies have many parts,
and God has put each part just where he wants it.”
~1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
You’re not meant to be an ostrich, or a closet shelf, or a candle hidden under a basket. Those things are buried, empty, fruitless.
You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : Many Parts, One Body
He knows.
And He’ll keep growing you until you’re ready to blossom. Now and then you’ll be pruned (no fun), but rest assured the Heavenly Gardener is using only the best fertilizer and tools to make sure you are tended to properly. There will (hopefully) be runoff that will trickle over to the other seeds you and He have planted. He’ll use you to shelter, He’ll use others to shelter you.
All you need to do is open up and ask Him to feed you.
And just like the rest of His garden, He’ll tend to you perfectly. If you let Him. Your job is just to share what He’s done for you with the rest of your world.
TWEET THIS: You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet. @RealMojo68 #franklymydear #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 23, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy
Twitter: @MollyJoRealy
Instagram: @MollyJoRealy
Photos can’t replace words for informational learning, but let’s be real: Visuals are a big part of our world today. Our attention spans are shorter. If you want someone’s attention you need to grab it immediately and a photo can do that ohsomuch quicker than text.
Recognition comes before cognition. This means our brains will say, “Wait a sec. That looks familiar.” And then our eyes read the words that follow for more. It can be a photo of someone we know, food we like, or a place we’ve been researching online. Or we see something completely unexpected. Something beautiful, gross, shocking, lovely . . . you get the, uh, picture.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : NOLA research
This is why logos are so important to brands.
We “know” who a popular company is without thinking about it.
Whether you’re a writer, a painter, a home improvement DIY-er, visual postings will increase your followers.
I mean, I can tell y’all about my Lizzie Cat. But unless you’ve seen her photo, you don’t really know how beautiful she was. Am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . Lizzie Cat
Photos are great on a sidebar, as a Tweet, on Instagram, and of course, Pinterest. Look at Facebook: How many posts do you scroll through that don’t have a photo? Not too many any more.
You don’t need to be a pro-photographer, but you do need to know a few basics.
Here’s a few tips I learned through trial and error:
- If you’re posting to your professional or public sites, make sure it’s something your audience cares about
- Take a few photos and post the best one: clear, in focus, good display
- Use photos to enhance your story, not tell it for you
- Don’t drown your viewers in twenty photos of the same scene
- DO share multiple views that capture the enormity of your surroundings
- Before-and-After posts are great for home and yard clean ups, holiday decor, parties, and announcements
- Coffee and foodie photos are always da best.
- And cats. Always, always, always cats.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks
Depending on which media site you’re posting to, hashtags are also useful in describing and enhancing your visuals.
How do you use photos to draw an audience?
TWEET THIS: When Your Photo is Worth a Thousand Words @RealMojo68 #socialmediasaturday
With a smart phone camera and a watchful eye,
Happy seeing!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 22, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
So, I know the blog’s been a little eclectic lately. A bit of this, a touch of that. A few guest posts. But that’s just like life, isn’t it? I mean, are all your shirts blue? Do you only ever eat eggs for breakfast? Do you never hang out with different people?
I think not.
And that’s why this blog is a li’l bit of everything me and you.
Today’s Five Things Friday is the essential foundation of Frankly, My Dear . . . These five tenets are what FMD is built on. And just like a recipe or a closet, they’re made to mix-and-match. One wouldn’t be without the others. That’s why there are contributing writers, and many readers. We just blend together, dare I say it, like sweet and tea. And Frankly, My Dear . . . I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Frankly. Okay, Yes. It’s Southern. Yes, it’s Gone With the Wind. Yes, it’s, well, in a polite way, my way of saying I’m gonna be who I am and while I respect all y’all’s opinions, I’m gonna say it like it is. I hope that’s okay with you. And since the blog’s been around for a few years and is growing, I’m gonna assume it is.
Frankly, My Dear . . .
- Faith. This is a biggie. I can say with certainty I would not be here without God and the peeps He’s placed around me. Y’all are my strength, my source of encouragement, my sounding boards. And I pray each day that I’m able to give as much back to you as you give to me. There’s such beauty seeing God at work in and around me, and I long to share it with each of you.
Frankly, On Faith.
- Family. Whether it’s blood family, God’s family, or my writing family, I’m blessed by every one of you. Family are the ones who see your inner beauty when it doesn’t show. The ones who talk you off the ledge. The ones who let you tether yourself to them for strength and guidance. And they’re the ones who laugh and cry with you no matter what, no matter when. Just because you’re family.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : New FRIENDS
- Food. There’s nothing better for me than feeding my people, and feeding them well. Food, drink, snacks, desserts. Doesn’t matter. The kitchen is my second favorite creative place and I relish making recipes. Heh heh. I said relish. But seriously. Food is more than essential. It’s a beautiful necessity. And I love sharing it with you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
- Fun. This is the “everything else” category: Writing, crafting, travel, reading, DIY, home improvement, Happy Planning. And coffee. These are the things that make us happy individually and collectively. These are the seasonings to life.
Seattle Souvenirs: Coffee, honey, and books.
What are your favorite parts of life?
TWEET THIS: Five Things Friday: Frankly Faith, Family, Food, and Fun @RealMojo68 #5TF #fivethingsfriday #franklymydear
With open arms and a happy dance,
Happy Living, y’all!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
