Writing Can Be Life Changing

I enjoy writing and regard it as a hobby.  Putting words down on paper to express an idea is powerful exercise especially if you’re feeling frustrated about something occurring in this crazy world around us.  The act of writing can be life changing in many ways.  The amazing thing is that anyone can learn how to be a good writer, and everyone can improve their writing because it’s a never-ending skill that can always be relied on to communicate complex thoughts and feelings.

I’ve seen letter writing improve relationships that seemed to be irreparably damaged.  Perhaps no letters are more famous than the exchange between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  Our two founding fathers were very close during the time that the colonies declared their independence from the crown of England.  Their views of government, however, came to be a breaking point after George Washington’s term ended and the animosity between them became as ugly as some of the political fights we are seeing today.  One letter changed it all although it took time, even for these great patriots, to untangle the complex issues that had driven them apart. But they worked it out and remained friends until their death which happened to occur on exactly the same days and exactly fifty years after their wonderful efforts that produced the Declaration of Independence.  If you put that ending in a novel no one would ever believe it but that’s how it happened.  That Declaration is still one of the most powerful documents ever written. Never underestimate the power of the written word.

That same power is in the hands of anyone who puts the written word on paper.  Writing can be life changing for the reader as well as the writer.  No one seems to believe that until they try it out for themselves.  Have you ever kept a diary or a journal?  We started keeping a retirement journal on our first journey south to escape the cold of the northeast winter.  We refer back to it quite a bit and it’s interesting to revisit all the things you did and all the things that happened.  Now, there are some entries that are more complete than others and some days that have been skipped completely but, what we managed to capture has been a perfect way to capture the memories of this most wonderful time of our lives.  It has been spectacular and far better than we ever dreamed.  We know we’ve been very fortunate but every time we take out our journal there’s always something new to bring a smile to our face.  Keeping a journal can be far more beneficial than you realize.

Writing has transformed me many times.  As a student of history, I probably take more interest in current events than the average person and, believe it or not, there are things that happen in the world that has caused me to become very upset.  I have found the best course of action is to sit down at my keyboard and type out a letter to some newspaper editor or government official to let them know exactly how I feel.  You know what happens?  I feel a whole lot better when I organize my thoughts and form the words to communicate exactly how I feel.  My letters (at least the good ones) can be almost like a legal brief to make the points I feel are important and back them up with key facts that are strong enough in my opinion to convince anyone that my point of view is the correct one.  Does it change anyone’s mind?  Extremely rarely, although it has happened.  But it accomplishes two things.  First, is that I feel better and am in more control of my emotions because my finished composition is always done respectfully.  Sometimes that takes more effort than I care to admit but I eventually get there.  Second, it has communicated my point of view to someone who might be close minded about a different perspective.  My letter may not change them, but I think it’s a step in the right direction.

Writing can be life changing and provide more enjoyment than you might realize.

If you’ve never tried your hand at writing, why not start today?  You may find that you have a talent for it.  Tell a story and see what happens in the process of getting it down on paper.  You develop a true appreciation for the written word.  It will make you a better reader as you notice the skills of a gifted writer in word choice and plot development.  Writing can be life changing in more ways than you can imagine.  The world of the internet has changed the writing world as well because anyone can be a contributor and the act of “blogging” has become a profitable enterprise.  You would be shocked at how many retirees have started websites or taken up writing as a second career.  Everyone has a book in them whether it’s their life story or a new story that becomes a work of fiction.  Why couldn’t you be the next name on the best seller list?  Whether you make that list or not, I can guarantee you it will be a lot of fun trying.  Why not get started today?  It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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