Do you know how powerful writing is?
This morning I awakened into deep reflection. As I do most every morning. My thoughts were a bit gloomy. I felt heaviness over unrequited love that I’m experiencing. I felt myself feeling heavy over being heavy. And, yes I mean fat. The day seemed to be starting with nothing but impossibilities.
I began writing while my deepest unfulfilled longings flooded my heart and mind. I wrote about all that I see wrong in…him. In me. In life. My pining was extraordinary and beautiful. Irony. We all live it, right?
You may not be a writing type. But, I do want to encourage you if you are facing any kind of adversity to grab a stylus, a keyboard, or a quill….if you will. And, understand it’s time to take hold of your destiny. Yes, you may have to do like I did and acknowledge the impossibilities. Sometimes we have to do that to create some push. Write about all that you’re pushing against if you have too. But, more importantly write about your strengths. Write about what your desired destiny looks like. Visualize that situation that is bothering you and describe what it would look like if it all worked out.
Maybe your job is offering up challenges, or maybe your children are offering up challenges. Life is messy. And, even if it wasn’t….we are messy. And, that’s ok. Have you ever gotten to a place where you feel like you have tapped all of your resources and they’re running dry? If you have I want to point you to one source you may not have considered. That source is….you. I believe we all possess an inner creative reserve. Sometimes its neglected because well, life. It has a way of getting in the way. But, if you’re facing a struggle I want to challenge you to sit down with yourself and write.
Writing is good for our brain. When we write we both reinforce as well as create neural pathways. Writing is good for our emotions. Maybe a day at the batting cages just isn’t possible. While you can’t grab a bat you can grab a keyboard. I mean…you have one in your hand if you’re reading this. Even if all you can scribble out is a sentence or two do that. Juice never flows unless there is some squeezing. This applies to your creative juices not just oranges.
Be honest with your writing. If it looks like the diary of a teenage drama king or queen…so be it. It’s you and that is to be respected by you. Your writing doesn’t have to be seen. It can be a gift of therapy to yourself.
The bottom line is that when so many wells have run dry and you’re running on fumes yourself there is the resource of writing. You can create entire worlds with your words. This morning I’ve gone from mad, to sad, to glad by writing my way out of my emotional stupor. And, you can too. While your situations may not be changing right before you you can improve your mood, your outlook, your level of hope, inspiration and peace until they do. And, that’s where the battle is right? In the mind? I’m reminded of the words of a sage king named Solomon, “As a man thinks in his heart….so is he.” Ancient wisdom understood that our reality is an extension of our thoughts.
On that note, I want to leave you with some writing prompts.
1. What emotions do I feel as I visualize everything working out in my favor?
2. What words come to mind when I think about how I want my day to unfold?
3. Write a list of strengths. What are two strengths that I haven’t acknowledged in a long time?
4. In what way can I love myself better?
5. Who are some people that are not in my circle that I admire?
6. If I could be mentored by anyone who would it be? Feel free to name as many as you’d like and why you chose them.
7. What positive words can I use to reframe the negative thoughts I have about myself? Others?
There is always a better way. And, sometimes….it’s the write way…
The Catalyst 