Writers Workshop - How I hate Labels

Writing Prompts:

• Choose a prompt from the list of writing prompts provided that inspires you most.
• Write.
• Go to Mama Kat's and paste the URL from your post into the list of links that will be displayed…this way anyone can click on your post thumbnail and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

To view more detailed instructions on how this weekly meme works, check out the Writer’s Workshop FAQs.


Writing Prompts:

1.) What type of flowers would be in a bouquet that best describes you?
2.) A memorable fishing trip.
3.) Yuck. Food Poisoning
4.) 10 things you would do if you didn’t have to work.
5.) What’s your stance on ‘labeling’? Were you labeled as a child? Have you labeled your own children? How do you feel about this?

I chose number five.   This is my stance on Labeling.

Labeling, it is all around us; nearly everywhere you look.  Just listen to the little girls on the playground at school.  It starts as young as six or seven and continues on well into adulthood.  I think we have to be so careful what labels we give people, even those we love.  Our children hear enough negatives from the kids at school, from those who don't like them (or like you either).  Their world is filled with "not being good enough".  There are invisible labels in every TV show and every song on the radio.  Sometimes, the labels can be positive, but often, the labels mess with our heads and have negative connotations for our emotions and feelings.  We are bombarded on every side with the expectations of who we should be, instead of acceptance  of who we really are.  I think that any label given to tease or shame or put down, should never pass our lips.  Anything we say about someone should be said in love and kindness.  I love Mother Therese's quote that says:  "If you judge them, you have no time to love them."  I think that labels are a form of judging, and take away from the wonderful, awesomeness that every single son and daughter of God possesses.  They remind us of who we are not, instead of who we really are.  I think, I am choosing not to let the labels be in control of my life.  I have heard them enough.  Now it is time to hear Him.

Galations 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

"The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.
Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.
Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.
We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves."  Joseph B. Wirthlin

Love Is The Way
by Patricia A Pitterle

I'm too short.  I'm too fat.
I'm too thin.  I'm too tall.
I'm too shy.  I'm too loud.
I don't talk at all.
I'm too young.  I'm too old.
I'm too serious.  I'm too quaint.
The voices condem me
For not being a saint.

Whose are these voices
Yelling loud in my head
If I listen, I hear things
Better not ever said?
What do they know?
What do they see?
What makes them so sure
They are better than me.

They can't see my heart
Or the sweet Spirit's touch   
They can't hear the whispers
Of a soul filled with such  
Sadness and aching
And longing for love
Seeking safety from darkness
From the Father Above.

They can't hear the words
Of a short, simple prayer.
Coming straight from the heart
Filled with love that is there.
The words speak compassion,
Kindness and delight
Until I behold
A world filled with His light. 

They can't see my faith
In the judgements of sin.
They can't know how it hurts
Always watching them win.
They don't listen to hope
As it swells in my breast
Praying for friendship
In my deepest distress.

To them, I am a burden
I'll never be right.
They want me to go
All alone in the night.
They want to keep perfect
Their own little place
They have forgotten
They too, need His Grace.

Each of His children
Have struggles and cares.
Each one fights a battle
In a world that's not fair.
Each one has burdens
Yet, in His eyes
Each one has worth
No matter their size!

So take a deep breath,
Breathe in and breathe out
Now listen to His voice
It's quiet, don't shout.
He will tell you the things
That He wants you to know.
To keep you on the path
That will help you to grow.

Life isn't easy
He has never said so,
But He's promised the burden
Is His, let it go.
Be kind to His children
Remember, Love is the way
That we can return
To be with Him some day.