Becoming a Master Chef

As we end this year, I’ve done a little reflection. And here’s what I’ve learned.

It’s easy jumping into various pots/roles, especially women. We share so many roles -- wife, mom, sister and best friend. Our additional pots are, full time employee, part time business owner, community advocate, and PTA participant. You name it; we’re there. 

Give it a few good months, after doing all these things, we find ourselves becoming irritable, overwhelmed, confused and sick. How does this happen? We started off full blast with good intentions. Hey, we’re every woman, right? I love that song. I sing it boldly, shaking my head to the beat.

I’ve learned and I’m not sad to report; I am not every woman. Yes, God gave us the ability to multi-task. There are occasions that call for it. However, God also created a diverse group of women. We don’t have to do everything. No woman should ever feel like a failure because she can’t jump into another pot, especially if she is cooking in other areas of her life. See the food in her pots, she’s not going to eat alone, she’s already sharing it with her family, church, job and friends.

When another pot is presented to her, she peeks inside and feels a tug on her spoon/heart to add ingredients. I have no doubt her flavor would make it all the better, but what happens when she pours into several pots at one time? She depletes her ingredients.

I write this piece, because I have jumped into pots, knowing I’m already at the end of my ingredients. We women had a deep desire to be helpful. However, we must remember the calling. You know the one calling God placed on your life. Never neglect that ONE. I almost did. One day, I heard clearly while praying, “I never intended for you to stop writing.” For me that was like hearing, return to your first love. It was a wonderful sound and a stress reliever.

Yes, the pots will continually present themselves, what we must remember is the one calling. No, we don’t turn our back on the pots, we say, “I’d really like to help, but I don’t have the time to make it excellent.” This I learned from my fellow author during an interview. Thank you Toshiba!

The next thing we do is reach out for help. We have a pool of contacts on social media and email. When a pot arrives that we cannot contribute to, pray and call on the help of others.

There’s a way to fill all the pots and everyone may enjoy the food.

Become a Master Chef confident in your calling!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming 2016

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Pre-teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Say, AHHHHHH!

It’s not quite autumn. However, my youngest child has returned to school. I grew up in New York, and there, we didn’t return to school until after Labor Day. This time was closer to beginning a new season. I loved this time – new season, new clothes, new possibilities and the exciting, yet, calming presence that followed.

Autumn has been defined as a time of darkening. The leaves fall off the trees, the air cools, and life appears lonely for many. It is also a time of harvest and hope -- a season that allows us to calm our spirit and settle down, but not without expectation.

Growing up, I learned to expect my own personal harvest. Each new school year meant I was getting older, evolving, maturing, and learning more and more about myself. By the time I was nine or ten, I learned I liked the fruit that came with autumn.

With this season came a structured routine for my days. I knew what time I would rise, head out for school, return home, do homework, chores, bathe, have downtime and rest. It was all defined. By no means was it boring to me. This was how I became most productive by having a schedule and adults in my life that supported and provided guidance.

In your life you may be prepared to step out of your summer. You’ve decided that you’ve played long enough and now you’re ready to settle into your autumn. You’re very excited about the newness of this season and what fruit will follow. A talk with God and an active plan will help provide calmness, along with the right guiding and supporting people in your life.

Not only am I looking toward the physical season of autumn, the cooling of the air, the change in the color of the leaves, and the strong branches that will remain, I rejoice over my personal autumn.

I’m not afraid of the labor. I love the harvest. I look forward to enjoying the fruit, taking a healthy bite and saying…Ahhh. I also look forward to sharing the fruit with others.

I hope you’ll join me and step into your personal autumn.

 Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Christmas Vow (A Novella) Coming Christmas 2015

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.co

Light Up in the Presence of Passion

Can you name your most memorable teacher? Quite a few have had a continual impact in my life. In second grade, there was Ms. Rose. I am not sure of her religion then. She always wore a black dress with a cross around her neck. Her gift to us was an unlimited supply of salted pretzel sticks.

Then there was fourth grade, Ms. Evans. This militant lady sported a massive salt and pepper Afro, wore white turtlenecks; tucked neatly into her flare navy skirt, and soft walking shoes. Ms. Evans canvassed the rows of desks and chairs, shoulders back, sturdy and strong with a list of directives. You will not lean over the back of your chairs, you will face forward, you will begin each page of schoolwork with a proper heading, and you will do your homework. And we did.

There was the beautiful Ms. Wilson, our creative arts and dance teacher in fifth grade. Don’t ask me how Ms. Wilson wore daily a pressed to perfection skirt suit while teaching drawing and dancing, but she did. And we were good! Well, the dancing was for me. My artwork wasn’t very good. Ms. Wilson never judged and always encouraged me to do better.

Finally, I have to name Mr. Gruber, my high school math teacher. I will admit I had a crush on this Jewish, balding man, whose shirt never remained tucked into his jeans. He moved sloppily across the chalkboards and spoke passionately about congruent angles with a very audible lisp. 

I was falling for Mr. Gruber in my most discrete way. Why? Perhaps, because he convinced me that I was just as smart as my classmates. In fact, after I tested poorly, he would go over the exam with me. Not only that, he would design me another test. Consequently, I begin passing with A’s and B’s the first go round. This teacher wasn’t physically attractive in any way to me. (I’m sure he was to his WIFE!) His actions were never inviting or inappropriate. His passion, however, was contagious. It mesmerized me! How anyone could love a triangle or an algebraic equation so much? Good God.

I’m thinking about memorable teachers because as my JUST WRITE! writing class continues to grow; I continue to grow as a teacher. I know that if I offer my students, literary terms, technical skills with guidance, but lack passion, I am just sounding tinkling brass.

The burning passion is the love that brings life to any topic. It connects the teacher and student. Long after the student and teacher enter separate worlds, the passion will always be their conduit. You may not be a teacher or a writer. However, whatever you do in life, do it passionately. Passion draws us and captures our attention. In fact, I think somewhere in the Bible, God says, with love and kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Keep passion in your life. For it leaves a timeless imprint, allowing you to touch someone’s soul. Amazingly, twenty plus years later, when I see a congruent triangle, I will remember Mr. Gruber and smile. A spark is ignited and I light up to make it a passionate day for you and for me!

Sit By The Empty Tomb - Just For A Moment

For the past 40 days my church has been in an attitude of intentional devotion. We have set aside time, seeking the Kingdom of God first. Each morning, at 6:33, our pastor leads us in Bible Study, prayer and communion. It is a very sacred time. Our souls are constantly being fed the word of life.

This wonderful time is leading up to Easter. As a Christian, I would say this is our most sacred time of the year. For if Christ died, but never rose, wherein lies the hope. Granted, His death is significant, taking on the sins/punishment of the world, we no longer have to bear it. We are free. Our God did not leave it there.

My mind is one that is always thinking, considering. Perhaps Christ could have disappeared into the Heavens after His death. Perhaps…

That would not have been the hope we were looking for. He said, in three days, He’d rise. And He did. Christ allowed us to see the victory. He allowed man to see Him die, to see Him buried, and to see Him rise. What amazing hope!

Man witnessed His living again. I believe it had to be so. We needed to witness the miracle of His rising. Of course, people would talk about, celebrate, observe, this Holy time for 2,000 years and beyond. This is something that cannot be an after thought.

Sadly, it is possible that we could treat it as such. We could get caught up in the new clothes, baskets, candy and family dinners without commemorating this time. It’s possible. How do I know? I’m a victim of this. Yes, I’ve been doing my devotional time each morning on the phone with my pastor. Some days I take notes. Some days, I’m rushed. I’m doing it while preparing for my day. Yes, this is OK. However, I am not meditating or fully concentrating on His miracle for me. It is important that I do.

I had to set aside time. I wanted to sit by HIS empty tomb. I needed to look inside it. I needed to see where His body rested. I needed to remember why He died, and why was He born. As I gather these thoughts, His warmth touches my heart. I’m thankful for this moment in time. The concept of the grave was all about me. All about us.

I never want to become complacent over His miracle and the hope that rests in His love for me. I will never understand it. Never. All I can do; sit by the empty tomb. Just for a moment. He never intended to stay there and neither should I. As He rose, I must also rise. The hope is in the rising. I rise so I may carry on His love for man, and share His amazing hope.

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Author/Inspirational Speaker
Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers
Missing the Mark (Novel One)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)
Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)
(Above All - Novel Four)
Spirit Over Will (Devotional)
www.brooklynndorcent.com
Why Not...Read for Love

Forget Me Not

 Are you one of those people that forgets me? I mean, you. Seriously, I’m not trying to confuse you. Actually, that’s me. I forget myself.

I’m passionate about what I do and the connections in my life. As a wife and mom, I forget to take care of myself. I’m running, looking out for my family. As an author, I’m writing, looking out for my readers. As a coach, I’m guiding, looking out for my writers.

It’s never work, because I love it! However, in keeping so busy, I forget me. I forget to make my smoothie, take my vitamins, make appointments, or make personal confessions.

I thought this through having lunch with myself one day. I stared at my work desk, full of notes and post-its. They were all over my phone, too. I’ve written so many reminders.

OK, why haven’t I written a note-to-self? I’ll tell you why. I’m too trusting of myself. I sincerely believe I’ll remember me tomorrow. It’s a deceiving thought. Tomorrow comes, but once again, I’ve forgotten me. I understand that my routine is overly structured. This is good to a certain extent. I get my writing and other assignments completed, however, I’ve left no window open for me.

I’ve found an easy fix to get some fresh air. I’m putting a note to myself on my laptop. Will this method work? I’m certainly hoping it will. I’ll make a note-to-self to remind me to keep you posted.

Grace and Peace,

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Author/Inspirational Speaker
Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers
Missing the Mark (Novel One)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)
Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)
(Above All - Novel Four - Coming Soon - Pre-order your copies TODAY!)
Spirit Over Will (Devotional)
www.brooklynndorcent.com
Why Not...Read for Love