Writing as Therapy
A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. In this book, Julia encourages everyone to write what she calls "Morning Pages". This consists of writing three pages, every morning, first thing upon rising.
There are some other instructions, the most important of which is to allow the information to free flow on to the paper, with no attempt to edit or analyze. If you are able to write at a normal speed, this whole process only takes from 15-20 minutes.
I have done those morning pages, nearly daily, since discovering her book, but I
have not always been able to do them. For Julia's method it is essential that you do these pages, first thing in the morning, before the duties and responsibilities of the day corrupt your mind.
Next, I discovered Natalie Goldberg, the Author of "Writing Down the Bones". Natalie has a technique she calls "Writing Practice". Her rules are to sit with pen and paper and free-flow write for twenty minutes. Anything that pops into your head goes on the paper and the pen never stops moving until you are done.
On the days when I did not complete my Morning Pages I have always attempted to perform my Writing Practice. I find each technique to be very beneficial in stimulating my creativity. Both methods help me to identify issues that I need to address or heal. The various writings offer insight into my present thought that I really enjoy capturing on paper.
For years, I have been saving quotes. I read regularly and I often stop to record a quote that I find particularly stimulating. It could be anything, really. Here is an example from my reading yesterday: "Every experience is what you make it and it serves a purpose. It might inspire you, it might educate you, or it might come to give you a chance to be of service in some way." -The Peace Pilgrim
I have collected these quotes, for no particular reason over the years, but now I have found a use for them. I randomly select a quote, transcribe it to the top of my "Writing Practice" page and then start writing. It is interesting to see where the quote takes me. I write for 20 minutes and am usually amused where I end up. It may be that I write something closely related to the quote, but more often than not the writing takes on a life of its own.
I have recommended to several of my clients that they engage in some type of daily writing. Many remarkable results have been reported. For some the writings have brought them face to face with thoughts they had been purposely avoiding. Others reported having learned more about themselves and still another informed me that she had found answers to elusive questions through the process.
I strongly recommend some daily writing for each and every one of you. I started doing the Artist Way practice because I hope to become a published writer, but there are great rewards for everyone who follows this course. Today I write, simply for the pure joy the experience offers.
There is something noteworthy, which occurs when you elect to write every day. At first it seems that the writing is forced and not accomplishing much. In a short time, however, your subconscious realizes that you are serious and the writing changes in its content and intensity.
Sometimes I have to force myself to do the writing exercise, but then an extraordinary thing often happens. My thoughts explode and I find myself hustling to keep up with the flow of information. This is when unbridled joy takes over.
When the thoughts flow faster than the finger's ability to keep up, I find myself lost in the now moment. Gone are the troubles I sat down with. Distant are the toils, which face me when I am done. For the moment, it is just my heart and my hand working together to capture what I hear, internally.
There is a great joy in being immersed in a now moment. Daily writing practice, however it is accomplished, is one of the ways I bring myself into that awareness. I strongly encourage each of you to investigate some form of daily writing. The rewards greatly exceed what one might expect from a 20-minute investment.