Little Words Project

Courage & Craft

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

A month ago, I wrote about one of the bracelets I had recently purchased from the Little Words Project. (If you missed that post, “Strong AF,” you can read it by clicking here.)

Strong AF was only one of the bracelets I had ordered for myself. 

I also bought another bracelet at the time. A custom design. The bracelet reads, “Courage&Craft.”

Courage and Craft is the title of a writing craft book written by the late Barbara Abercrombie. 

I bought the book when it was released in 2007. I was pregnant with my son when my husband and I went to the book launch event at the now-closed Dutton’s Brentwood Books. 

In the book’s introduction, Barbara wrote:

“Writing is about discovering who you really are, where you’ve been, and where you’re headed. It’s about turning the messy, crazy, wonderful, and sad stuff in your life into something that has order and clarity and meaning — a piece of writing that other people can connect to and be moved by.”

Writing, specifically writing well, requires craft. Understanding how to put words down on a page. How to craft sentences from those words, paragraphs from those sentences, pages from those paragraphs.

And more than that, writing — specifically, writing authentically — requires courage.

Barbara wrote:

“It takes courage to write down what you think and feel. But if you don’t figure out a way to get past the fear and write the truth, what are you ever going to write about? Even if camouflaged by fiction, you’ll be writing some truth of your own reality.”

It is this definition of courage that I keep in my heart:

“Courage doesn’t mean sudden, miraculous strength of character; it means doing something difficult despite the fear.”  

For me, that definition does not only apply to writing, but to life as well. 

My bracelet is a way of honoring Barbara. 

It’s also a way of honoring myself — the hard work I do on a regular basis. The work of taking twenty-six letters (that’s it, just twenty-six letters!) and re-arranging those letters in such a way that an idea that first lived in my heart and my mind can be brought to the page and shared with others. 

Friends, do you have a phrase that helps you stay motivated? A phrase that represents your creative life? I’d love to know!

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.

Strong AF

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

Recently I used some of my birthday gift money to buy myself a couple more bracelets to add to my wrist. (I was going to write “to add to my collection,” but that doesn’t feel right. These bracelets don’t just sit on display, like the glass hearts I have in my writing room. These bracelets are worn on my right wrist every day.) 

My collection of hearts

I have written about these bracelets before, two years ago, when one of my closest friends gave me my first four bracelets. (In case you missed it, or just want a reminder, click here to read “The Power of Little Words,” written in May 2024.)

This week, I’d like to share with you one of the bracelets I bought from the Little Words Project. (I also bought myself one custom bracelet, which I’ll write about another time.)

The bracelet reads: STRONG AF.

Now, I don’t curse a whole lot. I think it’s because I’ve always either worked with kids or the public and cursing on the job was never an option. As a result, the “F word” doesn’t leave my lips very often.

So, why did I buy myself a bracelet that means, “Strong As F*ck”? 

For a couple of reasons. 

First, my mom’s initials are AF. Wearing this bracelet is a tribute to her, and a way of carrying our love with me all the time. 

Secondly, my mom is a strong woman. Even when she doesn’t think so. Even when she’s frustrated that her 81-year-old body doesn’t always move or feel the way it used to. (Though, her hair is still brown and no one believes my mom is her age. People always guess younger.)

I understand those feelings of frustration. I deal with them all the time. Sometimes I move beyond frustration, and I go down that slippery path of feeling weak and/or incompetent. 

Because the reality is, my body isn’t always reliable. I can’t always depend on it to behave the way I want it to, to be able to do the things I want to do. And that makes me sad. And scared. And worried about the future. 

My mom is dealing with these feelings now, in her early 80s. 

What will it be like for me by the time I’m that age? I turned 50 this year. (I’m still not used to writing that/saying that/knowing that.) I have a handicap placard in my car’s glove compartment and a wheelchair in our downstairs closet. And if I need these things now (and the truth is, I started using these things in my late 30s), I’m scared of what my body will be like by the time I’m in my senior years, when things are expected to slow down and function differently.

That’s where “Strong As F*ck” comes in. 

Because I am continuing to learn that strength takes many forms. It’s a lesson I’ve been working on for many years, in fact. But sometimes students need reminders. 

Strong AF is my reminder. 

What’s yours? I’d love to know. Do you have a word, a phrase, a mantra that helps you when you’re feeling down, when your body refuses to cooperate, when your mind plays tricks on you? If you feel comfortable, please share in the comments.

The Power of Little Words

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

For my birthday (a couple of months ago), one of my closest friends gave me four bracelets. 

Not just any bracelets. 

Bracelets from Little Words Project. 

I didn’t initially realize the connection between Taylor Swift, Swifties, and friendship bracelets. So while my right wrist may look like I’m part of a trend, that’s not the reason for my bracelets.

My friend knew things have been hard for me lately. Actually, things have been hard for a while now. She also knew I’m quick to offer encouragement and words of praise to others, less quick to show myself the same support.  

That’s where the bracelets come into play. They are a daily reminder — of who I am and how I choose to live my life.

J chose four words for me. 

Teacher. I taught for twelve years. I’ve been retired for eleven years now. And I still miss teaching. (A portion of the proceeds from this bracelet go to AdoptAClassroom.org)

Breathe. Because sometimes I need that reminder to slow down and take a deep breath. 

Resilience. When you’re saddled with a chronic illness, there isn’t much choice. You have to demonstrate a combination of toughness, adaptability, and strength. 

And my favorite word — Badass. 

“I know it’s not usually a word you use, but you are a badass,” she said.

She’s right — I wouldn’t ordinarily think to describe myself as a badass. I am generally inclined to think of myself in other terms — such as polite, punctual, organized, neat. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may remember a post I wrote last year about  how difficult it was for me to think of three adjectives to describe myself. (In case you missed it or have forgotten it, you can click here to read the post.)

But it means so much to me that J sees me in this way. She not only sees my spirit, she celebrates my spirit. And she wants me to do the same. 

Which is why you’ll find me wearing these four bracelets each day on my right wrist.

Readers, do any of you wear friendship bracelets? What words are on your bracelets? Or, if you don’t wear them, take a look at the Little Words Project website. What words would you choose for yourself?