Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: “I don’t know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down.” But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.
One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.
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April 28, 2007 at 11:53 pm
The Artist
What a beautiful piece of writing, and so true. The process of creating in itself so often doors to inspiration when in ourselves we are feeling blocked..
April 29, 2007 at 2:16 am
Brian Allard
Great thought Helen–It seems that writing stimulates the mind and opens us up to new ideas and possibilites.
April 29, 2007 at 3:01 am
Jana Allard
And, it somehow helps my mind to clear of negative thoughts that try to invade my space.
April 29, 2007 at 8:03 am
helenl
Hi Winsome, Yes, it is “the process of creating” Nouwen is talking about. The writing and the re-writing and the re-writing. People who do not revise their work cheat themselves of the “deep wells of hidden treausures” that are waiting to be discovered.
Hi Brian, I have a friend who writes novels. She says, “I write to learn.” You wouldn’t believe how much research goes into her fiction – how many facts are needed to make a story believable.
Hi Jana, Or allows the negative thoughts to take their true form, so they can be rightly expressed. Writing is not always about being cheerful. It’s about discovery of what lies in the “deep wells.” Those “treausres” are “beatuiful” because of their truth, not due to their positive nature. Think of prophecy, that’s sometimes very negative, because it deals with a warning of what will happen if we don’t change our ways. Modern writers can be quite prophetic. Poets can, if they rememebr not to be preachy.
April 29, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Jana Allard
Helen – I think I have tendency to run from negativity because I was raised around so much of it. My mind always functions in the mode of “how can I make it better?” Thanks for reminding me to think of prophecy. My oldest son was recently prophesied over and it was very negative with hope given that things will be better by the end of the year. It has proved to be a true prophecy. I realize you were speaking of prophecy in a manner different than the prophecy given to my son, but God has used you to clarify all this in my spirit. I love you.
April 29, 2007 at 8:27 pm
helenl
Jana, negative things don’t always lead to a negative end. I was one of the “lucky” ones raised with a postive view of the world. And I sy “lucky,” knowing not many of us were.