Barnes and Noble lends a writer’s air to the atmosphere. The perfect angle of book and story struck a chord inside of my soul. Words popped into my mind, which spent a fortnight or more absent to my thoughts. I longed for my laptop. I longed, for the first time in months to open the portal to the written word, polish my fingers with each typed letter, in the creation of words and phrases to build a world, or open the door to a new adventure.
The direct instinct to write felt welcome in the absence of ideas.
Every day I listen to the stories of pain and loss as my clients sit across in a comfortable maroon seat, and I, attentive to their hearts, nodding and adding ideas or direction to their often painful chatter.
This, my line of work has taken listening to a whole new level. Instead of a teacher’s mindset of education and direction, I find myself attending, and guidance toward new ideas; comfort when strikes the pain of recognition of trauma.
“Somehow, within every crisis lies the glorious possibility of rebirth” (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 2009, 5–29).
Somewhere in time, my mind locked the door to the written word. At least, from my hands. I eagerly read and study as is my nature and apply the ideas to my daily life.
Change is a gift.
If I find a story, which strengthens my purpose, I shift myself to measure that path and move toward a new goal, or build on a current goal. However, the stories, poems and ideas have vanished inside of myself and I wondered in silent reflection, where did they go?
Writers write, and write often, I’ve heard.
For some, they have a mantra of 5000 words a day. The ball dropped on me last February as my workload increased. I listened, engaged, and directed but for myself I had nothing to give. The strain of relationship drama, the heartache of loss, my business toll increased, and the endless duties of a new counselor left me bereft of any inspiration outside of work.
As you know, self-care isn’t expensive, but takes time. As my music ceased, so did my creative writing, and my artistic side picked up the slack. Where my time was in writing I have created greeting cards and began expressing myself with ink, glue, and colorful papers instead of the typewriter, laptop, or notebook. Words, became stamped sentiments with sweet and short duration meant to stir the hearts of the receiver.
The day before, I was in a Rubber stamp store in a small Door County village called Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin. Inside, rows and rows of amazing wood block rubber stamps begged for creation. The papers, stacks of the colorful artistry ready to cut, shape, and glue into designs.
While here, I spoke with the lady checking me out, who so gracefully enjoys my stories, and hers fill me with joy. “Thank you for the free session,” she laughs.
“There are times when friendship calls simply for a human presence, a listening ear and an understanding heart, so that soul can unburden itself to soul” (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 2016).
We began talking about Christmas and Hanukkah. She became Jewish and shared her story. I, being respectful to all religions, thrived in our small, simple connection. Afterward, she came around the counter and hugged me.
Her warmth reminded me of connection.
Her words reminded of hope.
Her presence reminded me that I have a story still brewing inside of my soul, and its longing to come out presented itself while sitting at a small side table at my favorite book store.
Where ever you find yourself today, as a writer, I hope you’ll read these words and be inspired to resume the journey of creativity with words. Whatever stories you’ve heard over the past months, I hope they grace the pages so we can be inspired alongside of you.
When you are ready to share, I want you to know I am waiting to hear from you, from your heart, because outside of all the formalities of writing, the story and idea is a gift we want to hear. All the wisdom, education, and artistry of the correct word for the best paragraph impact matters, but the heart of connection means more than formalities.
I leave the following thought here for the ponderer’s mind: But if we have people who have the power to tell a story, there will always be readers. ~Isaac Bashevis Singer.
John Donne captured the idea: “All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated…”
Your words might stall for a while, and you’ll be in a recharge state of mind. During this time, let the energy of life move through you so when you pick up your pen again, you’ll create like the Creator and build chapters to fulfill our human experience in sharing a moment with our fellow readers.
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This post was previously published on Blue Insights.
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