Emotional Uprising

"I want us to right our world, and

writing is the tool I feel helps us to do it."

Julia Cameron

December will require alterations in our traditions, impacting life as we have known it. Although we may be longing for the New Year, surviving Christmas or Hanukkah may need assistance.  We tread lightly around our elders and children, but we can respect our own emotional uprising through the written word.

To be accountable, we are careful with our language in framing what the holidays might look like; but what about our own inner sadness draped behind the plastered smile upon our face?  If we do not address our disappointment within, stress will soar higher.

For those of us who do not write daily, send an email expressing the frustration or determination one needs to shed or acquire. Reach out for suggestions of how others are dealing with the changes in our world, community or home.  Other than pouring out our emotions through the written word, we can heal by giving to others.  Use positive energy in creating new rituals or customs, rather than sinking into the sadness of loss.

Screams Safely Onto the Page

"Vulnerability in writing is 

the enemy of grandiosity."

Julia Cameron

Maybe fifteen students were gathered for a meditation.  When completed, the leader asked for each person to write down a reflection from the experience.  Going around the circle, each vulnerable person shared.  Some had lists, while others had lengthy paragraphs.  One embarrassed person claimed she couldn't write at all, except, she had completed a two page pencil sketch!  It was lovely.

Not every person has the desire to become an author or poet, but everyone has the ability to compose  whether through words or sketches.  Stringing letters of the alphabet together whether in order or not is learning how to write.  Learning the position of nouns, verbs, or adverbs teaches us sentence structure.  These are elements of our education, but writing for personal pleasure has no boundaries or limitations.  Words, phrases, patterns or tears can be caught by the eager page that has no sense of editing.

Maintaining a personal journal is therapeutic.  The writer can just release whatever is being felt onto the page and leave it there.  The person can capture the words of his or her inner screams safely onto the page rather than into a person's face.  As the person browses back through earlier entries, he or she realizes how many times they have changed perspectives or survived troublesome situations.  It is a private testimony to help guide healing to the heart and clarity of thoughts.

Articulating with the Soul

"Writing is a friend whose shoulder we can cry on.  Writing is a confidant who listens and lets us sort things out.  Writing is a comrade, marching with us through the steep days of sorrow and despair.  Writing is our weather and also how we change our weather.  Writing is our landscape and how we view the landscape that we have." 

Julia Cameron
THE RIGHT TO WRITE


Writing is creative and liberating.  It does not matter if we use a computer or a fancy journal.  The intent is to self-express and as the hand moves across the page or the fingers move on the computer keys, our ego is distracted while our emotional make up creates previously undisclosed wisdom upon the page. 

We can sketch or draw on our private spaces and grammar is never circled by a red inked pen.  There is no right or wrong as we have free license to do nothing but experiment and explore.  When all is said and done, the writing can be burned or kept on a shelf to be savored on another day. 

When I do not remain disciplined in my writing, I feel as though my insides get all jammed up.  It doesn't matter if I share my feelings with my friends or mentors or sisters of my heart, I am not complete until my words flow onto the page. 

Just as an athlete refers to the 'zone', I can refer to the flow.  As my hand glides across the page I unknowingly release attitudes and perceptions that are often a surprise to me.  There seems to be a cadence that comes, a rhythm or a flow, where things just stream upon the page and later I will wonder from where they have come.  The written words will resonate, and I know I have been in touch with my soul.  I have communicated with my higher self  for awareness, clarity and courage.  Indeed, Divine Spirit has been articulating with my soul.