Writing's Power to Heal

Writing's power to heal lies not in pen and paper, but in the mind of the writer.

--APA

Sharing our stories can also be a means of healing. Grief and loss may isolate us, and anger may alienate us. Shared with others, these emotions can be powerfully uniting, as we see that we are not alone, and realize that others weep with us.

--Susan Wittig Albert


It's been a year since I started this blog. I started writing again so I could do something positive with all the emotions I had inside my mind. To try and figure them out so to speak. The address I haven't publicized, but rather shared with only a chosen few...putting posts out when the mood would strike me - not blogging for the sake of blogging but just using it when I needed to examine something and see where it was going - why I was thinking about it or rather trying to decipher some confusing feelings and dreams.

For a time I couldn't write - the words simply would not form for me like they used to - but time is a powerful thing and a year ago I was able to let the keyboard sing again. Like most, I worry about my writing and if I will be judged for what I put down on paper. However, this format enables me to let my thoughts go in an anonymous world and in doing so it has saved a part of me and gave part of me back to myself. Finally I can love the giver - myself.

My writing has allowed me to finally get mad at my ex-husband! It has allowed me to walk on a hiking trail I traveled on long ago. It has allowed me to remember and cherish a special person I love deeply and have lost touch with... It has allowed me to love my old self and build a new self. It has allowed me to define the new space I live in...realizing that it's a good space after all.

This weekend I dreamed I was riding on a train in a antique passenger car... I knew my fellow passengers but I didn't know them...We were all content to be headed in the direction we were going. After I opened my eyes and going throughout the day, I realized that these dream was telling me that my life is heading in the right direction. I had been off-track for a while, but now I'm back on the right course. It is the greatest feeling to realize this feeling of contentment.

What a difference a year has made for me - I'm enrolled in a Master's Program and yes, I have the confidence finally to hold my head up and be a Single Parent (after calling everyone and checking in with everyone else first - yes it's okay, okay). I have a healthy, terrific, smiling, singing, skipping daughter who loves me and my mom and sisters are absolutely fabulous. And my friends, my chosen family - the ones I call on via a rotation basis so too many crisises doesn't overwhelm just one - well, there's not adequate words to describe the roll they have played in helping me build back my live and my self-confidence. They love me for me. They are there for me for my tearful "have to go sit in the car and cry" lunches and are there to laugh and call to make sure I'm watching our favorite team in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen this year.

A month and a half ago life was finally able to break through and make me realize how blessed I am with the life I have re-built and since that day the peace that I have prayed for so long has been present.

So now without my thoughts being clouded by worry I can continue observing things in life that touch me and record them here - my very special healing space.