Guest Blogger/Author Feature… The Magnificent Christy Birmingham
IAM so happy to introduce you all to my friend ‘The Magnificent Christy’ who IAM sure many of you know here on WordPress, but if not, you must visit her and enjoy her journey on her blogs When Women Inspire and Poetic Parfait. Christy is a young budding writer, blogger and author who inspires her readers, not only through her own true experience coming out of an abusive relationship, but from women all over the world who are changing their own life and their Environment in positive ways. It is important to Christy to let others know that everyone can recover from the depths of darkness and make a difference in the world, co-creating a harmonious world.
You’ll love Christy’s friendly, bubbly personality and warm heart that touches all her readers. Christy encourages everyone to blog about their truest moments, both joyful dreams and dark days… as it has the potential to not only catapult you into creativity, but connect you to new friends who can inspire and support you based on their own ‘dark nights of the soul’. After all, we have all experienced them to some degree and each unique insight has the potential to help another move towards living a most passionate and inspiring life.
No-one needs to be alone in this day and age of virtual technology.
An example of Christy’s inspiring writing is her post… What Gets YOU Out of Bed in the Morning?
Lucy dropped out of school and got a job that she did not like very much. When her son was five months old, Lucy fell into a deep depression and could not get out of bed for several days. I thought back as I read this part to when I had my depression and how difficult it was to even brush my teeth. I recall my parents making me do it, but I had no desire to do anything related to hygiene—or anything else for that matter. The bed seemed safe to me, and I imagine Lucy likely felt that way too. As she explains:
“I couldn’t get out of bed, hardly ate and was a mess. Mom was not having it. She told me to get my butt up and to do something with my life.”
That quote in particular resonated with me, as my mom and dad were crucial to my becoming productive again in real life rather than wanting to stay in bed all day under the covers. I wondered if other people have had similar circumstances. Perhaps it was not a parent who said to get out of bed, but instead was a partner, other family member or friend.—someone who cares about the person battling depression.
Looking back to Lucy’s story, I have been thinking how glad I am that she did get out of bed eventually and continue to take care of her child. She admits that having a child is difficult, and I can only imagine how much she likely wants to stay in bed still some mornings. I am sure that a large part of why she does strive to be her best is to be a role model for her son and to provide the best life she can for him.
While I do not have children, I do have parents and a few close friends who encourage me to live to my fullest potential. That is part of why I get out of bed in the morning. The other part of it is that I have the determination to help others to see that they can come from rock bottom and still make something of their lives. It is not easy to keep going, but there are happy moments to look forward to when you do so.
Christie shares what she’s learned on Compassion through her Blogging…
It can be easy in blogging to stop thinking about your audience or caring about the subject that you’re writing about. I know it. I used to obsess over how many page views I got per day at my blogs, and I looked primarily at what subjects would bring me the most reads. However, I’ve realized that’s not what’s most important. Instead, writing with “soul” or compassion is what really counts. And, interestingly, once your writing has genuine depth, that is when the views will come.
Adding Soul to Writing
Without the soul, it’s just a lot of meaningless words put together, right? Without the heart, what is your blog post? I had lost heart, so believe me when I say you’re not alone if you feel that way. Once I put feeling back into my blogs, I discovered longer comments, and more of them, left by readers. I also felt better about what I was writing.
It all started, ironically, with caring more about myself. I thought back to why I had started blogging, and I recognized it had nothing to do with how many page views I got per day. It had to do with expressing messages to readers, whether it be through poetry at Poetic Parfait or through uplifting true stories at When Women Inspire.
Once I reconnected with my original motivations for blogging, I realized that I had deviated from the compassion path. I began to explore my feelings and be kinder to myself so that, in turn, I could express kindness in my writing. This involved talking nicer to myself, as well as being less self-critical. Only once I did so could I be honest and vulnerable in my writing again.
But Compassion Won’t Always Be Returned
Ah, yes. Even though I did the work to add compassion to my writing, I want to point out that there were still people who did not return the compassion I expressed in my writing. I didn’t judge them and still don’t (I try not to judge anyone!). I only express this point so that you will not become deflated if you receive an email or comment pointing out flaws in your blog post.
If the received critical words bother you, I encourage you to take a walk or talk to someone. Doing so can help to clear your mind so you can get back to writing with empathy, sympathy, and humanity. At least that is my hope. After all, a world without passionate writing would be empty, wouldn’t it?
Christy’s Biography…
I have a BA in Psychology and have taken professional writing courses at the University of Victoria. I am an avid freelance writer, author, blogger and poet living in British Columbia, Canada and am the proud owner of the blogs Poetic Parfait and When Women Inspire. I dedicate one to poetry and all kinds of literary goodness and another to supporting women initiatives to positively impact and change the world. I have written two poetry books to date, other work appears in the Poetry Institute of Canada’s… From the Cerulean Sea: An Anthology of Verse (2013) and the literary journals… The Claremont Review and Tipton Poetry Journal.
Pathways to Illumination by Christy Birmingham
I published my first book of poetry Pathways to Illumination in 2013. It is a chronicle of a woman’s struggle with depression and anxiety after the end of an abusive relationship that gives hope to others of the light it unfolds. My second book of poetry Versions of the Self released in 2015 is a collection of poetry that inspires and enthrals all aspects of life in relationship to others, but especially with self.
A Book Review…
“A book of poetry that gives the reader an emotional glimpse into a woman’s difficult journey through an abusive relationship. From the relationship’s inception to its tumultuous middle, to its dark end–and finally to the woman’s reemergence into light. Through the poet’s vivid imagery and rich symbolism, the pain of depression and despair is palpable, as is the soul’s will to heal itself.” ~ Carrie.
Connect with Christy…
Website: Poetic Parfait & When Women Inspire
Twitter: ChristyBis
Facebook: Poetic Parfait
Pinterest: ChristyBis
Thank you Christy for joining us all on this great adventure, for sharing with us your experience with Compassion and for your continued support inspiring others to seek an enlightened and good life.
Do you want to be part of my Guest Blogger Feature… Your Magnificent Self?
Every other Monday throughout this year, I will host a Guest Blogger/Author Feature and put YOU, my magnificent fellow Blogger/Author in the LIGHT. Not only this, I will feature your book/link to purchase in my website library and include your writing on Compassion in a FREE E-Book at the end of this year.
I know this is an incredible venture that is deeply impacting the world we live in.
For more information and how to apply, please read my post here.
Call to Action
Thanks for helping me share this Guest Blogger Feature with your friends… (Sorry I don’t have a reblog button as I host my own website… but maybe you could write an introduction and link back to this post?)
Together we can support each other and create an abundant, joyful and harmonious life.
Barbara Franken… Creative Visionary & MasterCreator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness
A paperback and Digital Book is available from all Major online stores… Amazon and Apple
I share my own magical journey, exploring Who I AM with the help of nine Elemental Beings and expand from a world of fear, struggle and limitation into a New Energy Consciousness of love, grace and freedom. It is in this loving space that I discover my Divine and ALL LOVING self and allow myself to integrate together as one Body Consciousness… a DivineHumanBeing… and Magnificent Master Creator who expresses and creates heart and soul passion on the physical plane and beyond.
There is no time like the present moment to Sign Up and give YOURSELF a magnificent gift… I promise YOU you’ll answer your own question… How to accept myself for Who IAM?
More Info: MasterCreator Class ONLINE
All the money raised from my books and classes go to my ‘Creative Art Project’ The Magnificent Consciousness that I bring to our little ones to inspire them to explore, discover and express life and know their part in it ALL.
47 Comments
Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.
Thank you Barbara for having me here today! Wow. Your introduction humbles me. It is such a pleasure to be at your motivational site xx
Christy it has been my pleasure featuring you, getting to know you better… I just love how you embrace life and inspire the world… Love just has to win. 😘 Barbara x
Beautiful post. You can’t go wrong with compassion. Maybe you don’t always see the dividends, but I believe it comes back to you.
Compass is unconditional, we don’t need to receive any more goodness because that is what we all are… underneath a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding. Thankyou for your own presence here and beautiful contribution Jay x much love Barbara x
Jay, compassion really does come back.. a boomerang of sorts.. the wording you used is beautiful. And Barbara’s organization of this post is truly beautiful xx
Once we allow compassion to flow through us there is no stopping it… 😘
It’s the filter through which we should all be experiencing the world.
Oh indeed Christy is magnificent and a wonderful inspiration. I was drawn to her first of all in this blogging world, because yes, she had had dark times but she wasn’t running away from her dragons. She was fighting to stand there and encourage, to inspire and to reach a better place inside herself. I’m honoured to know her here because she has continued to strive to reach, to stay in and to help other reach that place. On top of all that she’s an amazingly talented writer. We can all fall down in life, it’s not the falling down. It’s the getting back up and standing there and that is what she’s done. A wonderful post xxxxxxxxx
Beautiful words shehanne for Christy… it is when we face the darkness our own true power is revealed and we can be an example to others… life is changing and we need all the help to encourage others to transform their lives… because they can and coxcreste a most exciting and harmonious world… right here. Much love to you, Barbara x
Much love to you Barbara. What a greatly inspiring blog. I’ve subscribed and look forward to your posts. Thank you so much for following me. You are right about life changing and too often people get stuck. That is why it is always so good to see posts like this, to know people like Christy. xxxxx
Thankyou Shehanna, I have a vision of us all living together in freedom and harmony… and this is my contribution to being the change. Love your blog too, you’re funny, I like that and do need to loosen up at times, but that’s what friends are for😘love barbara x
Much love Barbara. Listen we all have very different roles to play in life and that relates to how we are and what we can bring. I just like a laugh so I put the hamster dudes on that. Much love x
Shey, your words have me crying.. happy tears though.. you see it has been a long time since I have taken stock of my progress.. and true that you have known me since those beginning words of that first book.. Oh thank you.. And Barbara brought this all together so well in the post.. Let us all stand confidently in ourselves ♥
It’s all about unique talents coming together to create harmony and take us beyond into a new adventure with our head held tall. 😘
Well, I am glad they are tears of joy because that is the place you have reached. As I said overby, we don’t always see the progress we have made especially with everything you went through and overcame but others do and you are an inspiration xxx
So humbled.. Thank you, dear friend xx
Christy really does inspire with compassion!
Thank you kindly ♥
Lovely for you to resonate with christy’s words on compassion… Thank so much x Love Barbara x
A lovely post. Christy is amazing.
Yes she is and thank you so much for joining this party themed ‘compassion’ much love to you x Barbara x
Hi Barbara! Was about to turn off my computer, and then I saw this post! I was very excited to see Christy here! I read quickly and then had to go back and read more thoroughly. I have her poetry book, “Versions of the Self,” I bought it at a time when I was beginning to compile my first poetry book. Her book was a guiding light for me in the way I always feel like her writing shows me her heart. There’s an energy to her writing, and it’s very beautiful – strong and clear. Her poems have unique wording that I adore; it’s her signature. For example, “Toss me a secret” is one of her poems, and I just love the way the language unfolds. She says, “…I will handle it with care, Hold it in my hand like a raven–making sure the beak is able to open.” She’s not only a really loving and supportive blogger, but she’s a very talented writer.
Ka, so lovely of you to pop over for some heart expansion with Christy and myself today. What a guiding light she is and her writing is changing the world… horray. Just as much your’s does too. How are you, still up to your elbows in work? Do you have time to join in this adventure with us this year at all? Much love to you and as always Thankyou for your kind words x barbara x
Yes, Barbara on one mundane level, i really am… Your words are touching towards me and Christy – and I would so love to show up here, too. Sometime this year may be a possibility. There might be an opening around the bend in a couple of weeks and we can dialogue via email about it. What do you think? I feel your heart, too. Love you, Ka
Ah… heart to heart… we’ll keep in close contact… divine contact… 😘
I do feel we are <3
Great post on a genuine soul.
Hello, so glad to see you hear cheering our Christy on… a genuine soul indeed, love to you, Barbara x
Thanks, Barbara! She is one of my favorite inspirers!
Christy is such a wonderful writer and poet Barbara.. and this was another magnificent read..
Love to you both.. <3 Sue <3
So many comments for Christy it confused my system!! Sorry for my delay in replying to your lovely words of love to us both… Thanks so much and here to wishing you well Sue x love Barbara c
You are welcome and no worries at all.. <3
What a fabulous feature here today Barb. Christy is a wonderful symbol of people with compassion and soul. So wonderful to see her featured here. 🙂 xx
Isn’t Christy just that, it makes my heart sing to know that there are great loving people with so much heartfelt motivation like Christy in our younger generation. Somehow it makes life feel easier… thanks for your kindness x
Yes, Christy is certainly a bright ray for everyone. My pleasure Barb. <3
Christy, you are all of that. Compassionate, inspirational and motivational. Whatever road you had to take to get here, I’m glad you made it.
Sorry for the delay in replying JP but something decided to go amiss with my comments… Thank you so much for joining in Christy’s guest feature and feeling into her beautiful beingness… much love to you, Barbara x
My pleasure, Barbara. XO
I enjoyed this celebration of Christy, Barbara. She continues to inspire. Beautiful photos and quotes, too.
Sorry for the delay in replying Jet but something went a little crooked with my comments… Thanks so much for tuning in here and resonating with the love. much love to you, Barbara x
Thanks for hosting Christy today, Barbara. I am a big fan. Christy, this post touched me with your honesty and sincerity. You are so right – if we as bloggers and authors cannot write what is meaningful and truly a reflection of our souls, then we waste our time and that of our readers. Well said!
Lovely to meet you here John and for resonating with this post. Indeed Christy has a way with words that flows from her heart and soul… love barbara x
Beautiful post on such a beautiful soul. I couldn’t agree more with you, Christy, about when you write from the heart that is when the viewers come. There are some days I just cannot keep up. 😂 May you achieve great things and above all, know the glory of Love! 💞
Thankyou AmyRose for being here and resonating your heart with Divine compassion. love Barbara x
[…] The Magnificent Christy Birmingham […]
Great post! And the THIRD post on inspiration! Hmm..I’m thinking there is a theme here..for me 😉 Thank you for sharing, Barbara!
Isn’t Christy inspirational Anita… great to see you hear following syncronicities… much love to you, Barbara x