Why I Write...

A few weeks ago, something caused me to recoil (as I do) and stop writing. A friend happened to be over when I made this rash and unrealistic decision. He saw how upset I was and in our discussion, I figured out that I was particularly upset at the idea of not writing. I found myself saying "To me, writing has become breathing.".  I had not really, realized how much I have depended on this outlet.

​He was more upset at the reason I decided to shut myself down. I am a people pleaser, by nature (even though I proclaim to be "recovering") and I had displeased. You would think, at my age, I would have learned what my 19 year old son told my daughter the other day "You can't please everyone, so don't even try." Wise one - that kid of mine.

​So this following quote is one that I need to learn to embrace if I am going to put myself out there:

​I have never claimed to be an authority on anything. I know that perfection is fiction. We are all human and as humans, we all deserve to give and receive a little grace. I am the first to admit my misteps and mistakes and always try to choose my words carefully...but I too am human. And I am vulnerable and authentic in my writing, and that may not always sit right. And that means that I will get hurt. But I have to choose between courage and comfort. All I can be is me, and tell my story.

A few days later, that same friend asked me what the difference was in keeping my writing private and sharing it publicly. This was a great question and I thought awhile on it, as I do both kinds of writing. I flashed back to my first few blogs, when a friend's response to my writing was "You know, I could buy you a nice journal so you don't have to air everything out there.". I remember wanting to stop, right then and there. But I didn't...why? Because I write in the hopes that it could help ONE other. If ONE person is encouraged, nudged, thinking differently or wheels are turned, it is worth it!

My friend, Daryl Myers, does an activity with his HS ELA students where they write "Why I..." I decided to write mine today.

My call to action is this: Find your thing. Your breath. And do it. And do it loud. And do it proud. And use me as a cautionary tale - don't stop if it is part of you.

"Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no
I got to keep on movin'
Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on movin'" - Mathew Wilder