It could be the OCD in me. But there is something soothing about seeing a blank page or a blank screen and then filling it with words. And the words form sentences. The sentences form paragraphs. The paragraphs and singular statements form a life of work.
There is comfort in the fact that I can fill something with the motions of my mind.
There’s too much truth in the fact that not everything I write is worth reading.
And there is some truth in the fact that I am pleased with some things I write.
Writing is not something I love to do. It is something I love about me.
Writing takes a jumbled thought and puts it in order. Or puts it in my eyes so I can dissect it and re-enter it in to my thoughts in different form.
Writing takes a memory and makes it permanent for the time I can no longer recall. Or the time I am no longer here to recall.
I can take an absurd thought that sparks hope or ideas and put it to paper and I can see how truly absurd it is. Or how truly inspired I feel.
Writing leaves behind a part of me.
Writing steals something of me.
Writing completes a part of me.
Writing creates a part of me.
Writing is a physical act. A physically mental act. It is an action.
Writing is my action.
Where you imagine blood running through your veins I know words run through mine. Cursive, printed, bold, italic, whisper soft, tiny squared writing.
Writing gives me an outlet that words and running could never afford me.
My written word is proof of life.
Good for you. You know good for you.
LikeLike
Good to see you again Phil! 😉
LikeLike
My written word is proof of live ..that is the best line ever. I haven’t read anything you wrote that is not worth it.
LikeLike
Oh my! Thank you Chris. 🙂 I have a best line ever!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
I write for similar reasons. Writing give me peace and allowed me to do what I enjoy.
LikeLike
Peace, definitely helps me feel peace. Thank you.
LikeLike
Don’t tell me what to do. Sorry just being OD. Love your writing.
LikeLike
Hahahaha! 🙂
LikeLike
How well you explain yourself. Just teasing. This is outstanding, Colleen.
Ditto for me.
LikeLike
😉 Thanks Tess. I’m glad you share this, and I thought that many of us would share this.
LikeLike
I love when you say that writing is a living proof. I completely agree on this point 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Lgyslaine! It’s an invigorating feeling isn’t it? To ‘get it’, capture it, and feel the life of it? 🙂
LikeLike
Colleen, There is so much truth in your words, and I see explainations for my own actions in your truths. Thank you, Bill
LikeLike
You’re welcome Bill. We have this together don’t we? 🙂
LikeLike
“Writing takes a memory and makes it permanent for the time I can no longer recall”. For me, the most important quality of writing.
Memories are precious but we don’t have any guarantee that we will retain them. Some pass with time but some pass with illness, dementia is a horrible condition and nobody is exempt when it chooses its victims.
Write while you can, preserve as many memories as possible and please, continue to share them with us.
LikeLike
Thank you Steven. I do want to make sure that the things I think and find important I can share with my kids and grandkids. Forever. Thank you for being part of this journey. 🙂
I do worry about forgetting, forgetting the actual memory, or forgetting to share them. I’m glad we have ‘here’.
LikeLike
Bravo – what a joy is it to write – and an even bigger joy to read what you have written. I love the perspective you have offered about the “sense” words can make of things.
LikeLike
Thank you Stacey. It does often help to put the words in my head on paper, and then sometimes that helps put an entire new spin, or better understanding on what had been in the noggin!
LikeLike
I work with so many students who cannot put what is in their head on paper – and it frustrates them. What a gift it truly is to be able to self- express. I guess that’s why my students appreciate other people’s lyrics through music so much.
LikeLike
The music appreciation makes complete sense. When someone says to me they ‘can’t’ write what they feel, I believe they can. Though I have to admit, often is the time I write something the way it was in my head, see it in writing, and change it. Part of the beauty of writing. 🙂 But connecting with what others wrote is also part of the beauty. Writing something that pulls feelings and thoughts out of others…powerful.
LikeLike
I am spending a week with my mum so I am not writing. I am reposting old posts which no one read but I am itching to get back to writing. Lovely post.
LikeLike
I’m enjoying the reposts. I hope you have a wonderful time with your mum! 😉
LikeLike
Thank you. So far it’s been great.
LikeLike
Writing and painting are similar. Your brush is a pen.
LikeLike
Very similar. The vision in the head…to the paper.
LikeLike
Love this Colleen…….. your description is smart. I love writing too, thats a big reason we are here !! ~ Ellie
LikeLike
Thanks Ellie, it brings us all to this same place. 🙂
LikeLike
me too, my legacy.:)
LikeLike
Amen.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you’re a writer and share your wisdom and humor with us. I never knew how much I loved writing until I started this blog. I really thought the majority of my blog was going to be projects that I did with the kids and things along that line. I knew I wanted to share some funny stories that motherhood brings but never in my wildest dreams did I know how much comfort and clarity that writing brings!
LikeLike
I’m glad you came here with an idea, and expanded on it. 😉 It’s the glory of writing. 🙂
LikeLike
*smiles*….
Writing for me is many things. A lot of the things you say nod nods.
It is also a catharsis. And it sometimes angers me … the words I put to paper.
It is an escape. And a prison.
It helps to organize my thoughts. And it lets me ramble too.
Writing is like riding a bike … or paddling a kayak. You are free to explore….within the rules that bind … writing rules … bike paths … the rivers edge. Until you choose to break the bounds … and write free verse … and take your bike off path … or paddle out to sea.
*s* … it makes me smile to write about writing.
LikeLike
Oh my Gosh Irish Katie….EXACTLY! So well said! Thank you for making this better!! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, lovers of writing unite! This post has motivated me to push forward as a writer, you have a wonderful and inspirational way with words!
LikeLike
Thank you Thomas! 🙂 I’m glad if it inspired you in any way. You know I have much hope in you and your writing!
LikeLike
Another great piece, Colleen. Of course, I love it. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Paulette. 🙂
LikeLike
Colleen, you are so spot on … in your thoughts.
Writing cleans too … a very good vacuum cleaner by the way. Writing open doors … and they can shot doors too, if we don’t use the words clear enough …
Brilliant post!
LikeLike
Oh another benefit of writing love! 😉 Thank you Viveka. And like our spoken words, our written words can close doors, you are so very right.
LikeLike
I think the written word can more easily close doors, because if we got the spoken word wrong .. we can explain – but the written word .. is what it’s.
LikeLike
It is what it is. This is true. Once written, there forever.
LikeLike
I loved it and pinned it so I can find again.
Nancy
LikeLike
WOW! Nancy this is the first time I’ve ‘seen’ something of mine “pinned”. 🙂 I think someone else did before, but I don’t know “how to” pin so your link took me there. Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I do understand this. I once wrote a lot more creatively, but when I began to work in an academic environment where I write all day long I don’t quite have the same energy for creative writing. I may return to it more deliberately “down the road” as I retire. But even then, working on a journal submission or even a complex report, I get very excited as I start from nothing and move to final project! 🙂 You very eloquently described the feeling!
LikeLike
Thank you Debra. As much as I love to write, when something I write strikes a chord with another writer I get that “yes!” feeling.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Another excellent example of your writing prowess…and I missed this one, too! Your words are truth for many – and especially of you!
LikeLike
Thank you Koji. 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like you needed to get this off your chest
LikeLike
😉 I always have something lingering that needs off of there! 🙂 Thank you Sandra Harriette.
LikeLike
I had to come read this post because I do love writing. I also love reading, especially a post like this. I particularly like this: “Writing is not something I love to do. It is something I love about me.” Brilliant. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh Robin thank you. 🙂 That makes me feel wonderful!
LikeLike
Love this post…and as you probably guessed…I feel the same. Great writing!
LikeLike
Thank you. I’m so glad others understand this. 🙂
LikeLike
I also love that you can go back and read your writing years later through a different set of lenses. It amazes me sometimes to read what I wrote – and I almost don’t recognize who wrote the post. I laugh at myself – I cry all over again – the posts jog my memory and I am so glad that I recorded myself so that I do not lose my history. Very cool post – again.
LikeLike
I’ve done that! It is amazing. For years I wouldn’t touch and re-edit any posts. Now, I find some I bring forward because I think I say better now what I tried to say then. Thank you Stacey.
LikeLike
Oh – I totally agree!!!!!
LikeLike