Am I Nuts? by B J Bassett

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?Why are you crying the blues?Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again.He puts a smile on my face.He’s my God. Psalms 42:5

Everyone needs a cheerleader, someone in their corner, cheering them on. An encourager needs to include himself with uplifting words.

I talk to myself. At times I feel foolish doing it. I ask myself, “Am I nuts?”

Self-talk is something some of us do naturally throughout our waking hours. People are becoming more aware that positive self-talk is a powerful tool for increasing our self-confidence and curbing negative thoughts. Those who master positive self-talk are thought to be more confident, motivated, and productive.

Research confirms self-talk, conversations we have with ourselves about ourselves, calms anxiety, and makes things clearer.

Our thoughts are the source of our emotions and mood. The conversations we have with ourselves can be destructive or beneficial. They influence how we feel about ourselves and how we respond to events in our lives.

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, “The most influential person who will talk to you all day is you, so you should be very careful about what you say to you.”

Prayer:Father, I long to be an encourager to others. Teach me, I pray. And help me uplift myself too. Thank you for answering my prayer. Amen.

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.