MJR: Frankly, My Dear . . . - Frankly, My Dear . . .

Frankly, On Faith: God is Not a Game Player, He’s a Team Leader.

Nov 26, 2017 | 2 comments

Frankly, On Faith.

God is not a game player in the sense of messing with us. He doesn’t tease or do a bait-and-hook.

But He’s a great Team Leader. He’s honest from the get-go. Transparent in His game plan for us.

God gave up His star player so the rest of the team could win.

He has never changed the rules. He didn’t replace you with a better athlete, because He knows you are His better athlete. For this game you’re in, for the piece on the board that you represent, the cards you’ve been dealt, the track that you’re on.

He’s in it with you. 100%.

You don’t have to worry about being left behind. You’re not going to be forgotten. The bus isn’t leaving without you.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.
For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
~Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

Never forget who’s team you’re on. Never forget who picked you first. And never forget you’re not alone, ever.

TWEET THIS: Frankly, On Faith: God is Not a Game Player, He’s a Team Leader. @MollyJoRealy #faith #God #team

Frankly, On Faith: God Wants Everyone to Win

And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Social Media Saturday: That Time You Thought You Had Nothing to Say

Nov 25, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Social Media Saturday

So, here’s the thing. Yah, I know. Some of you hate that phrase. But there it is anyway. What? I’m gonna pretend it doesn’t exist? Fuggedaboutit.

I’ll keep this as short and sweet as one teaspoon of sugar in your coffee. [Unless that coffee mug’s a 24 oz. tumbler. Then we’re gonna be here a while.]

So, you’re on social media. Because you have to be, not because you want to be. And you hate it. I mean, You. HATE. it. Am I right? Yup. Know how I know? ‘Cause y’all tell me so. Regularly.

Why do some of you hate it? Because y’all think you don’t have anything to say. Or sure, you can chat up the store clerk with digressions on the value of laundry detergent fragrances, or your family at the dinner table when it comes to tonight’s hockey game or next week’s NCIS episode. But then you get in front of your Twitter feed.

And you stare. I mean, you just stare.

And that blinky spinny icon thingy on whichever media site you’re looking at. It taunts you.

It says, “You’ll never be as quippy as the next guy. Never!” And it gives off a computerized maniacal laugh. Muahahahahah . . . Okay. Too far? Yah. Maybe. Let’s walk it back a few steps.

Anyway. So how is it you have something to say to friends and your family and your coworkers, but y’all don’t know what to say to your Swarm?

Two words: Performance Anxiety.

Y’all get stressed.

*Insert Gibbs slap here!*

Stop it. Stop being stressed. Stop thinking you have nothing to say.

Obviously, you have a lot to say. And there’s an audience. They’re already ready for you. Honest!

All you have to do, is not change your voice.

Did ya hear me on that? It just means write the way you talk. Super simple. Not sure you can? Record yourself. Listen to how you hold the coffee audience captive. Pay attention to those “hello” moments at the gas station. And when you’re ready to share something of yourself in the world, pick a person to address. Direct your posts to one or two people, not the world at large.

It can be someone specific: Your 23-year-old daughter. Or the Postal Clerk you chat with once a week. Or it can be a general idea of someone: A 30-ish tall, dark and handsome guy named Rain. Or some insecure Italian redhead named Josie. The point is, you know how to reach these people. You already speak their language. So speak it into your keyboard.

Yah, it takes some practice. And here and there you need to pick a different audience. Maybe you send your tweets to Paige and your Facebook posts to SuperGirl. LinkedIn is for those business cohorts who said you wouldn’t amount to much [insert snickering laugh here]. But once you know who your audience is, you’ll recognize your voice. And you’ll be able to say everything you need to say.

Promise.

TWEET THIS: Social Media Saturday: That Time You Thought You Had Nothing to Say @MollyJoRealy #socialmedia

And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Five Things Friday: Thankful

Nov 24, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Frankly, My Dear . . . :Five Things Friday

This post is late again, but that’s because I’ve been trying to think what I could possibly write. This week I’ve been overwhelmed with a sense of thankfulness and gratitude. Not just for the season that it is, but because so many things come to mind that make me smile and fill my soul with joy.

Yes, thankfulness is what this post is about.

Words. This goes without saying (no pun intended, y’all), but without words, I’d be lost. I am strongest, healthiest, happiest, when I’m able to communicate and network. Some creatives paint, or design buildings, or calculate equations. I word. Yeah, like a verb. I’m so incredibly-can’t-describe-it-fully over-the-moon in love with words.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Thankful for Words
Food. Because I need to eat. And I love to cook and bake. Because being in the kitchen is my next favorite place to being in front of my laptop or a good book. There’s something beautiful about adding ingredients together to make something edible, delicious, and worth sharing.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
Books. Like y’all didn’t see this one coming. Of course I’m crazy thankful for books. Books to read, to learn from, even books that aren’t so greatly written are helpful (as in a what-not-to-do sort of way). Whether they’re on Kindle or in print, books are magical worlds to encounter and each world is different. I can time travel, fix someone else’s problems, experience cultures I’ve yet to visit. I can be a superhero. All without leaving home.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Thankful for Books
Happy Planners. I know. I talk about these a lot. But especially now that I’m gearing up for next year. I love the creative scheduling it gives me. The ability to do life on my terms, the color-coordinating of my week with my topics with my focus with my destination with my mood. Happy Planning tracks my reading, writing, social media, work, house, budget, and social schedules. They keep me on track with projects. And they allow me to be creative through every step. So yeah. I’m super thankful for Happy Planners.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Happy Planners
Families. There are so many family blends. My blood family takes the cake. We are a crazy, fun, hilarious, loving group of peeps that have so many inside jokes y’all need an interpreter at the family dinners. Then there’s the church family, the writing family, the faux fams, the friends-closer-than-a-brother-family, and all my besties who make up a quasi-sister-clan. I’m thankful for so many things, but mostly for these people who love me as I am yet keep pushing me to strive toward a better greatness than I see in myself. You are all beautiful, and I couldn’t make this journey without you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Family