I’ve been now writing, intentionally, for ten years. I began in August of 2012, when two of the teachers in our Preparing for Leadership class showed appreciation for a paper I wrote and invited me to share it with the class. Prior to this, NEVER in my life had I considered writing as an aspiration. And yet: these two souls saw something in me that I didn’t see, and now, ten years later, I think of them almost every time I sit down and begin.
D & S: Thank you. You have changed my life.
The Sun
For those who are familiar with the literary magazine The Sun, I rediscovered this gem from the founder, Sy Syfransky’s Notebook: (Issue number to follow when I locate it in one of my many piles.)
He writes: “Why it matters to me why I write every morning:
1. Because writing is hard, but not as hard as not writing.
2. Because a good sentence can rise from the ashes of a bad sentence, and someone needs to write those bad sentences, and who can write bad sentences better than me?
3. Because when I sit down to write, a door inside me opens. I may just stare at it, unable or unwilling to take a step toward it; still, a door opens.
4. Because sometimes I walk through the door.”
Permission to Play
I first read this on July 16, 2014, and it opened a door for me. It gave me permission to play, to “write bad sentences.” This led directly to loudly singing in the car. And buying a guitar. A slippery slope, this “walking through the door,” it opens us up! It was another part of the evolution in my life, one that moved away from the ideals of perfection that I had been holding myself to, unsuccessfully. Because no one can meet the yardstick of perfection – it is always just beyond us, a false ideal, and trying to achieve perfection is a great strategy if you want to remain unfulfilled and unsatisfied with your life.
A Safe Space
At the height of my mid-career transition, writing gave me a place to be me, without judgement or explanation. It was a safe space to explore my evolving ideas without donning the armor often needed when sharing fledgling ideas with others. I began writing when upset and angry and it gave me clarity; it also was the pause that allowed more productive, mature communication. This all remains true, and also, it helps slay the dragon of anxiety. It is a great way to document life, express elation or suffering; or to work through a problem or decision in the workplace.
To Sy Syfransky: Thank you. Your words still inspire me. I continue to walk through that door.
At The Workbench
Many people have conflicting feelings about writing.
I invite you to start (or continue) writing about anything, really. The unresolved argument, a persistent dream, a decision that you have to make. Leave the judgement behind and do what feels right and good – to you. It can become part of a self-care routine, or a way to get clarity on your life. It can ignite joy.
Let me know how it goes!
-Sending love and light –
Check out
- The Sun Magazine https://www.thesunmagazine.org/
Photo above: Brent Gorwin on Unsplash
Thanks for reading!
If you enjoyed this, please help me spread the word by sharing with your people.
To subscribe: https://kristinaau.com/contact-us/
You can also follow me here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinaau.workbench/
Twitter https://twitter.com/KristinaAu1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaau
Interested in individual or group coaching?
Explore the options at Workbenchcoach.com.
At The Workbench, we are dedicated to all things coaching and personal growth.
It is here we take the time and make the space to pursue our significant dreams
and goals, one action at a time.
What can I help you build and create?
