Are you serious about your hot dog – or whatever you’re making?

This morning I read an amusing news story about a dog fight in Chicago – hot dogs, that is.

Vienna Beef, one of the world’s most famous hot dog makers, is suing the owner of a rival hot dog company, accusing him of either stealing Vienna’s 118-year-old recipe or lying to customers by claiming that he’s using it. The rival is the grandson of one of the two men who founded the company after their hot dogs became a hit at the 1893 World’s Fair.

According to this story, the lawsuit accuses Red Hot Chicago of false advertising, unfair competition and trademark infringement. In Chicago, the “meal on a bun” is part of local history and where loyalty to one of the region’s 2,000 hot dog stands is passed down from generation to generation.

One of the funniest quotes in the story was by Tanya Russell, a mail carrier who stops at a downtown stand called Fast Track, to deliver some letters and to grab a Vienna hot dog before finishing her route. “This is Chicago, and we take hot dogs seriously.”

If only we would take our writing and speaking so seriously, right? You might even be able to pass down this gift from generation to generation!

Last night I was on a NACWE telecall, and the guest was Joslyn Johnson, one of NACWE’s youngest members. Joslyn shared how everything we do needs to be related to God’s purpose for our lives. If you read my blog at Tablet Of My Heart, you know that I am passionate about women pursuing their purpose and calling from God, and using their gifts for God’s glory.

If your gift is writing and speaking, I encourage you to set aside any distractions, excuses, or fears, and begin using this great treasure that is inside of you. Don’t wait. Don’t hold back in intimidation, doubt, and fear. The world needs to hear your great story!

Just write. Share the messages that are burning on your heart for God.

This morning I found this quote by Eric Maisel, author of a book I ordered at Amazon today, A Writer’s Space: Make Room to Dream, to Work, to Write .

“The writing life is defined by the succession of choices you make, primary among them whether or not you will write. You honor your writing space by entering it with this mantra: ‘I am ready to work.’ You enter, grow quiet, and vanish into your writing.”

Isn’t that beautiful? Find your writing space right now.

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