To Deal with the Obstacles Life Throws at Us
It’s not like I don’t have support people; I do. It’s about working things out without laying a trauma on them that will probably resolve itself, when they have their own issues to deal with and don’t need to agonize over something that really isn’t a problem. Know what I mean?
As a visual person, I find that writing something down and looking at it helps clarify the issues and possible routes of attack. If I feel silly writing about an upset, chances are “it ain’t no big deal”! But when something is a big deal, writing it down accomplishes two things:
- It helps slow me down so I don’t take impulsive action I may later regret. (I am that way.) Sometimes, the situation resolves on its own if I don’t rush headlong into preemptive actions.
- It helps me visualize what is upsetting about it and what some of my choices may be.
By working them out on paper, I can ask myself questions like:
1. What upsets me about this situation?
2. What would the ideal alternative look like?
3. How does this affect someone else?
4. How do I get his/her perspective?
5. Is there a way that we can both win?
6. Since I can only change myself, what specifically do I need to do to solve MY problem?
Then I can take considered, better thought-out actions that take the other person’s well-being into account.
To Pass On Information Others May Need
That’s the work part of my writing. I’m a health/travel writer and other people could benefit from knowing what I know or from my translation of what someone else knows who isn’t as well-equipped to communicate it. I do lots of different kinds of writing: instructional design, advertorials, webpage copy, brochures, white papers, etc., for consumers and medical professionals. Switching back and forth between types of writing helps preserve my mental agility, and hopefully my ability to work for years yet to come.
To Create Something I Need to Create
As my mother and sisters have artists’ eyes, my art is in my words. I want my creations to touch hearts and change lives, provide a sense of being whole and loved in the people who receive them. I want to experiment and grow in my writing so I can become a celebrated late bloomer. (Hello, I haven’t got all life, here!) And so I write, and write, and write, and plug along, wondering when I will have created something other people recognize as art.
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