I have always thought of my life as a chapter book - almost like the movie The Adjustment Bureau. In case you have not seen this film, GO SEE IT! Please.
Anyways, my life is a chapter book, and throughout the chapters, I, as the co-author, get to make decisions that I think follow closely with God's will for my life.
Choosing to join Odyssey's team was one of those decisions I felt called to add into my chapter book. When my editor first approached me I was thrilled and ready to start writing. A week or so later, I had second thoughts. I like to consider myself an introvert unless moved by my gut to be otherwise. I do not share my feelings unless I feel called to, forced to, or I am with people I truly consider family. I backed out. I felt so torn between whether or not to write and share, so I prayed. I prayed for days, and finally felt called to join.
It was the best decision I have made in a while. With that being said, there are three reasons that I love my decision to write for Odyssey.
1. We are a family.
Although I do not know some of the people on my team, I know the majority; I love them all. We can relate to one another, we can find comfort in reading each others' articles, we can bond, grow and cherish the writer's unique guild that we have created. I love Odyssey because we belong to a group of individuals that just collectively loves and understands one another.
2. Endless amounts of reading material!
I don't know about you but I could scroll for days through social media and be entertained the entire time. I love learning, seeing new places, reading about new foods, experiencing things through the lives of others. What can I say? I live vicariously through others sometimes. Plus, I get to add more things to my bucket list! Have you read through some of the articles on Odyssey? You should try it. I get stuck on the toilet sometimes reading articles!
3. Venting...in a professional way.
Have you ever just needed to get your feelings out in a way that forces you to be correct in your syntax and process? I enjoy being able to write about the things that I have buried deep down inside for years; the things that haunt me. I know that sometimes it is really hard to verbalize emotions -- especially when you have anxiety or depression. Writing has become an escape; a structured escape. I am not be the best at writing, but at least someone listens. At least my odyssey can continue. I have kept a journal since I was 12, and now I have about 14-15 full journals sitting on my bookshelf.
I write. That is how I survive. I write and write until the words bleed from my fingers and hopefully move someone to think. If I could change one person's life through my writing, even if it is my own life, I would be satisfied. Odyssey provides a safe haven to write about anything and everything that could possibly be interesting to someone else, and I think that that's pretty neat.
I love that I chose to write for Odyssey. I love that they chose to let me write for them. My reasons may be selfish, or may not relate to anyone who is reading, but I find comfort in Odyssey because of those reasons. I find comfort in my family of scribes.
