Spiritual growth and writing

​Spiritual growth and writing
 
I frequently recommend keeping a journal, writing a daily gratitude list and for those wanting to grow spiritually and emotionally a more organized approach.   Those in the 12-step recovery program will be advised by their sponsor to work the steps. For most, this means using one of the available workbooks for each step and then going over it with one’s sponsor.  For those working an organized program of spiritual growth their spiritual advisor will probably give them assignments.
 
Barring any neurological or other physical problem preventing one from writing most do not have a good reason for not writing. Yet, many are unable to follow the recommendation to write for one of the following reasons:
 

• One’s mind goes blank when one sits down to write.
• One is illiterate and too embarrassed to tell one’s spiritual director, sponsor or therapist.
• One is fearful of having their spelling, grammar or logic criticized.
• One is fearful of being criticized because of what one has written, i. e. shameful secrets.
• Writing is boring.
• Thoughts are clear in my head. There is no point in writing them down.
• It is too time consuming.
• I am doing fine.  I do not need to write.
• I am already a good person.
• It is no one’s business what I have done or what I am thinking.
• Someone will use what I have written against me.

 
Some of us, on the other hand, find writing painless, especially if we do not have to get honest with ourselves and write about thoughts or feelings which are uncomfortable.  Even when uncomfortable some of us will find writing much easier than talking. I am one of those persons who can write about some philosophical topic for pages and pages.  This writing may not, however, tell the reader much about me other than I am a skilled wordsmith.  I may not be skilled at honestly writing about thoughts and actions which I find shameful and embarrassing. I may also be fearful of being outed as someone who is dumb, unkind, more sinful than the average person, or the opposite of my public image.  If I write I will certainly be outed as someone who is (a) a terrible speller (2) a master of talking around an issue, or (3) a very poor self-editor.
 
I write for the following reasons:
 

• It is often when I am writing that I discover that my thoughts are not as clear or logical as I was telling myself.
• When I write, I am often surprised by what I write.  Writing down a thought or an opinion gives me the distance I need to see it clearly.  The part of me which views my writing is often the part of me which sees other more clearly than I see myself.
• When I write positive thoughts it feeds the positive part of my brain. 
• When I write and share shameful thought I find that I am not unique.

 
All of us are going to change.  We will change in a positive direction or a negative direction. If we are not actively using some tools to be intentional about moving in a positive direction we will  likely feed negative thoughts and actions.  Writing in a tool which helps me clarify and reinforce my positive intentions for today.  It also helps me face who I have been, who I am and who I want to me. We cannot, of course, change the past, but we do not have to repeat it.   Let us use the tools which will help us be our best today.
 
 
Written  December 18, 2017