Sunday, April 27, 2008

Writing to Save the Day

Daily quote from Henri Nouwen today is pure gold:

Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions, to reflect on our experiences, to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories. Writing can also be good for others who might read what we write.

Quite often a difficult, painful, or frustrating day can be "redeemed" by writing about it. By writing we can claim what we have lived and thus integrate it more fully into our journeys. Then writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others too.

I for one am so grateful Henri wrote - he has saved my day many times. Speaking of which, for anyone who cares I haven't broke the chain since November 21 - hard to believe 5 months can pass like that, but it truly has redeemed my days.

1 comment:

anj said...

I love this quote - my counselor, who recommended I start journaling, told me at the end of our time together, to always remember that writing connects my heart, mind and spirit. Nouwen, of course, says that so much better!