Oh how important writing is. Writing is a kind of catharsis for me. It is a way to release and purge, to purify the mind. What comes out onto the page or screen is not always beautiful but it helps to sort ideas and place them appropriately. We may also stumble onto things about ourselves that we never knew. Sometimes I think, "where on earth did that idea come from?"
Some may say, "I'm not a good writer". That's why practice of writing is so important. Creating a habit is difficult but once the work of establishing habit is complete, your creative ability has more freedom to flow. How interesting is it that routine and structure allows freedom. It's a conundrum of freedom in fixation.
On the other hand, if you have a talent for words but don't know where to start. here's a morsel of guidance. In recent years I heard something about 'growing where your planted'. It's most beneficial to you and others if you can find a way to grow right where you are in life. Some may think this is restrictive, but it is very rare for a person to be gifted in a way that they can simply write well about anything. Write about what you know. I also see the planted part as the gifts we've been given by our creator. We did not choose these gifts nor can we change them. We can be unaware or neglecting of them. Our job is to discover the gifts we have and develop them. Development comes from routine, discipline, drive, courage and learning.
Very few writers are born ready to write best-selling novels. The skill level comes from a discipline that creates boundaries that in turn provides focus. Skimming the top of lots of ideas will lead to mediocrity. Digging deep into what you're good at is where you will grow leaps and bounds. If your good at something you don't remain good at it unless you work at it. Improvement involves pushing your limits.
Even writing for pleasure takes discipline to see the benefit. Committing to a daily journal can be the hardest thing in the world. Often we sit down, look at the page, and think that there is nothing worth recording. Just start writing. Once you get started the thoughts and emotions will break through that wall of self-critique. No one has to agree with what you say or like your style of writing. It is purely for release and mental stimulation. Writing a letter to a person that you'll never send can be very healing. Getting your ideas for a new business out on the paper can bring you a more clear outlook. Free writing may bring you to an idea for a short story or article if you are looking for more in-depth writing tasks. Finding an emotion that was difficult to deal with in the day and confronting it on paper may lead to a solution. If you work out a conflict on paper before conquering it in real life you'll have greater success and if it involves another person, you may save face by having already organized your thoughts instead of just spewing out of emotional reaction.
Don't stop before you even get started. Shut up and write! In journaling you're creating a history book in a sense, about yourself, for your family members to read and share for years to come. What a learning experience that could be for a child or spouse. To sensor or not to sensor, that's a personal choice but highly discouraged. In a journal you can reveal your true self and all the intricacies of your soul. How beautiful! Maybe it's not always picture perfect but who is?
I've always loved writing. It's been a great way to reminisce and record special events in my life. It's been a way for me to vent and express things that maybe I would rather not share with anyone but can't hold in. It's not about becoming a professional writer. You don't have to want to write for a living to write for pleasure. One thing that's really fun to start with is writing a letter to a friend and mailing it. Remember how exciting it was to get a letter from a friend when we were little? It's still exciting when we're older! I can remember reading and re-reading the letters my friend would send to when I was a little girl. I could be connected with her at any time through her words in the letters.
Writing is important. I highly recommend it in this age of snapshot news and video clips. It takes thought and effort. Writing allows deep, free expression of ideas and promotes growth in mind and spirit.
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