Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I despised writing. Why? Honestly, I couldn't give you an exact reason. Probably because, I'd rather have played Call of Duty or basketball. Whenever I was given a writing assignment, usually I would simply throw a ton of bs into as many pages as possible and turn it in. For me, writing was a requirement and became one of my most hated activities. Now, a couple years later, I've fallen in love with it. But, why?

Writing gives me the opportunity to give my thoughts their proper voice. Whether it's about relationships, social issues, or sports, writing allows me to properly release all the thoughts stuck inside my head and share the strong opinions I possess. I used to lay in bed countless nights, not being able to sleep, stuck thinking about my future, past, and current problems. Now, whenever I can't sleep, I write. Sometimes I write songs, while other times I simply write phrases. It relieves all the stress I endure through thinking. Writing allows me to release my thoughts, joyful or sorrowful, onto paper.

Writing is dangerous. Yet, through that danger, some of the most beautiful thoughts, songs, and stories were brought to life. Writing forces the author to be vulnerable with everyone. That vulnerability has created some of the greatest pieces of art this earth has treasured.

Writing allows me to imagine a world without the problems I face and the tragedies I've endured. Revelation 12:11 states that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of ourtestimony. Writing has given me the opportunity to share my story with the world. Personally, sharing my story has been vastly important because, whether I acknowledge it or not, my story has the ability to help others in need. Vice versa, when I've struggled, I've found comfort in realizing someone, who I may not even know, is going through the same thing as me. Writing helped me realize the truth: I'm not alone.

Through others' brave writing, I've found some of the thoughts that shape my worldview. Also, it allows me to learn about places I've never been, activities I've never engaged, and truths I've never been told. Writing shrinks the world and makes it accessible to every human being.

Dianne Hardy once wrote, "It only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche." Today, the world is growing darker each day. Whether it's terrorists attacks in the Middle East and Europe or the fight for social justice in the United States, society is constantly bombarded with the urge to remain silent against injustice. Most importantly, writing gives me the opportunity to fight for those who cannot and speak for those who are silenced.

Writing gives each human a platform to fight against the injustices we face. We all have voices and we must use them.

Grab your pen and paper. It's time to write your story.