“Journal writing is the voyage of the interior.” Christina Baldwin.
Writing is actually great. It can be a calming, elegant experience that warms the soul like a hot cup of tea. Words may or may not flow through your heart to your brain to your wrist. From streamline cursive to chicken scratches, we all have our own way of doing it. Girls are much more adapt to journal because it’s seen more as “feminine,” but the reality is that everyone should take the time to write.
Articles like this are easy to write and just flow. The Odyssey -- among many other outlets, such as blogging -- have given everyone the opportunity to write and express themselves. We can share stories, personal experiences, or express opinions and beliefs. A lot of people run to writing online to be bold in opinions. Lots of people, like myself, have blogs to tell our story, whether it be unique or not.
What you might not realize is that every article written is a moment of transparency by the author. The article I wrote last week has nothing to do with me personally but it says something about who I am. Personal or not, writing is an expression of ourselves. The Wall Street Journal and NY Times have lots of writers that speak on politics, entertainment and lifestyle. Although an article about North Korea seems very impersonal, the language of the writer shows an expression of themselves.
I did mention a downside to the quote, that would be the fact that you have to dig down and be true to yourself. Life is not always roses and sunshine. People hurt your feelings, days are long and hard and emotions can trip you up. While we avoid writing to dismiss those feelings and experiences, it only hurts us in the long run. It’s kind of like, if you have something to say, say it, don’t just hold it in. The expression through writing can open other doors as you learn new things about yourself. You can get to the root of problems or calm an anxious heart.
We might not want to sit down on a daily basis and write about every thought and feeling experienced, and we often don’t have time for that either. Writing in any form, about anything can be a “voyage of the interior.” Writing breaks down the barriers that keep us from being true to ourselves. The expression in any form clears the heart, soul and mind. It’s refreshing, beautiful, and courageous.
As I share my thoughts and opinions on the Odyssey platform and my story on my blog, I am leaving a way for my descendants to know me. It’s a way to leave my mark. We all have a way to change the world, whether it be through writing or not. Like most things, there is good and bad. You could really hate writing, but it actually is good for you. It’s like drinking those green juices, good for you but not the best thing you ever tasted.
