For the Love, Joy, Peace, and Patience of Writing

For the Love of Writing

I love the habit of writing. Every day, I have a routine that leads to a blank notepad and a blank computer screen. Here, I take several deep breaths to clear my mind, then let the thoughts fly. I love what follows. Writing is my playground. I turn my mind loose and let it go. I write in my gratitude journal, I make plans, I make lists, I dream and create. I try to make sense of things I’ve read and experiences I’ve had. I think about my thinking and the thinking of others and how I can live out my mission more effectively. More optimally. I get lost playing and exploring. I love seeing my meta-cognitive world dancing with my analog and digital worlds. This is a treasured part of my day, and I truly love developing this habit of writing.

For the Joy of Writing The habit of writing brings me joy. I think this might have to do with my approach. I’m intentional about beginning every writing session with gratitude. Gratefulness for my faith, family, finances, and fitness. For my career, connections, commitments, and contributions. My motto is that “I’m living the dream,” but this is also my mindset. It’s a daily decision. The writing habit allows me to reflect on things that bring me joy. I’m not oblivious to pain and suffering. I actually see a lot of that throughout my week. But knowing that every day I have hundreds of opportunities to share an encouraging word or a genuine moment of connection is a tremendous source of joy. We all have incredible power to connect and to encourage in person and in the written word. I like to think that I’m developing this writing habit as a craft so I can more effectively reach out and lift others up. My growth as a writer is a process that requires the habit of daily practice. And this practice brings me great joy.

For the Peace of Writing

The habit of writing brings me peace. I used to approach my writing with the idea that there was a perfect idea and a perfect way to approach and express this idea. Now I see writing more like taking a walk or a hike. There’s no real perfect location to walk or perfect place to focus your attention on that walk. When we choose a place to go, we’re not missing out on all of the other countless locations we could have chosen. When our focus and attention is drawn to one point, we’re not missing out on all the other countless places where we could be looking. We have to allow ourselves to be present in the moments given to us, regardless of where we are or where we are looking. Being present in the moment without judgement is beautiful. This is my habit of writing. I don’t mind letting the millions of thoughts pass by when I stop to explore one particular thought that catches my attention. I may only spend a moment with a particular thought, or I can spend hours with it. Either way I’ve given myself permission to savor this moment, this experience, this thought. I can’t have it all or do it all. But I can absolutely hold onto and cherish the moments and thoughts I have before me. It is a beautiful thing to focus on what we have and let go of the rest. My habit of writing has helped me develop my habit of peace.

For the Patience of Writing

The habit of writing brings me patience. There’s something special about a blank page. For me, it is a scenic walk in the moment. I don’t have to wait for inspiration. I get to just sit down and begin. A lot of mornings, I smile in anticipation of spending time with the page. It’s like my mind gets to go on recess. I love the picture of kids bursting onto a playground with excitement. They don’t think about or prepare to play. They just play. With that same mentality, I never really have to think about writing. I just write. I’ve learned that if I allow my mind time to play, eventually it will settle on a topic or idea. When my mind goes on a walk, eventually it will focus on some unique detail or picture. My mind needs this writing habit to burn off some energy, play, and explore. I know that this is part of the process and I no longer judge it. I allow it. I’m gaining patience with myself in the process. And that’s a pretty cool epiphone (the discovery, not the guitar).

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience…

These are some great qualities to nurture. These are some pretty flexible qualities. These are some pretty universal qualities. I like to think that these qualities are constantly surrounding us, just waiting for us to notice, appreciate, and apply to our lives at any moment. The Spirit of these qualities surrounds us. I’m glad that I noticed them today. Thanks, writing habit, for letting me play, explore, experience, and encounter the love, joy, peace, and patience gifted to me through writing.

Enjoy the day!