The Why of Writing

The Why of Writing

 

Why do we write?

In the most simple of terms, it’s a way to convey the thoughts in our head so that another person (or hopefully, many people) know what we mean. Sounds simple and yet, we often have to put a lot of thought into how we want to phrase what we think.

“Why do we write?” can be answered in general terms with broad strokes:

  • because it’s how I express myself;
  • because I want to make a difference;
  • because I can’t keep it all inside.


It also NEEDS to be answered each time we sit down to write a specific piece for a specific audience or purpose.

We must take the time to ask ourselves “Why?

When writing, “Why?” is Always Step 1. (Tweet this!)

By answering this, we hope to simultaneously  answer why our readers will bother to read it.

That’s important, isn’t it? Otherwise, we’d just write in our journal and call it a day.

But those of us who write to reach others owe it to our readers to pursue the answer to “Why?”

Mindful writing is better writing. (Tweet This)

Many of us write because:

  • It’s habit;
  • A blog post is due;
  • It’s ___________ (fill in the blank with: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…)
  • I need to teach a concept
  • I hope to inspire others
  • I want to sell a __________ (fill in this one with: book, product, course…)


By answering the specific why for this specific writing piece, and even writing it down to refer to as we go along, it gives our process a purpose and a direction. If we refer back to the why as we spew out the words, we can catch ourselves, reel it in, and shift the focus when we notice we are wandering off course.

Take me, for example. Tonight I’m writing because:

  • a blog post IS due;
  • I want to help others to be better writers;
  • I’m working on breaking down the process I use with my clients and the “Why?” is always step 1. (Tweet it!)

So, tell me about your “WHYs.” I’d love to hear if they are a part of your writing practice.

Happiness is a Bad Penny?

Happiness is a Bad Penny?


Bestselling Publisher Linda Joy
 has inspired me to become a Sacred Sponsor of the Choosing Happiness Crusade and Video Series. 

This inspirational series features 30 intimate soul-inspiring video conversations created to inspire YOU to believe that despite the messiness of life – happiness is within reach. Unlike other “interview” style events, Linda makes you feel like you’re sitting at the kitchen table with your dearest friends getting real, raw and vulnerable!

You can reserve your seat today to get access to 30 happiness videos and 42 inspiring gifts. Get started here: www.ChoosingHappinessCrusade.com.

Happiness can mean work. Yes, happiness doesn’t always just land on our doorstep or wait for us on the carpet beneath our feet as we tumble out of bed each new day. Sometimes we have to go looking for it. Or, even harder, we have to create it.

Sounds daunting and, yet, it’s empowering. Create our own happiness? So, if it’s not just there waiting for us to absorb it, we can make it happen? Yes! Every day. Every moment. Regardless of what’s going on.

Now, this isn’t to say that in the face of tragedy or depression or other challenges, we can just paint on a happy face and all will be well. It does mean, however, that we always retain our power to choose.

In times of darkness, we may choose to feel the depths of sadness and I think that is a good choice. We need to feel our feelings to work through them. In fact, there’s almost nothing worse than painting on a happy face and pretending we are unaffected by tragedy. I don’t mean to be judgmental. We all do what we need to do to put one foot in front of the other and many of us have not experienced feeling, acknowledging, and, God forbid – talking about our feelings.

However, feelings are funny things. Like bad pennies, they keep showing up.

We can cover them, hide them, make them into something else but the original, raw feeling is deep down in there somewhere, waiting to resurface, perhaps when we least expect it.

So, I aim to choose to feel my feelings. I’m not awesome at it all the time but it’s a goal. In doing this, I don’t always choose happiness, but that’s a goal, too. In fact, it’s kind of an end goal. To get there, I may have to choose sadness, anger, shame, and guilt for a time, to get them out of my way on my path to happiness. In my experience, it’s the only way to get there. (Read more about these other feelings on our path to happiness here.)

When that bad penny shows up, instead of shoving it in a pocket or trying to ignore it, try bringing it out into the light in all its rawness, experiencing it and then cleaning it up so that its brightness can return?

Turn your bad pennies into shiny ones as all these amazing women did in these 30 happiness videos and 42 inspiring gifts. Get started here: www.ChoosingHappinessCrusade.com. And it won’t even cost you a penny!