The Days of Stress, Honesty & Thunder.

Those words piece together the reasons why I write.

The “why” question has been on my mind lately. Why do I write? Why do I spend time each day letting words pour out of me? I could easily say no. I could ignore my gut feeling to write. I could choose to place my time elsewhere. But, instead I choose to be here and to close my eyes and to let everything roll off my mind. And I write.  So, what is the driving force? A few factors play into my reasons.

For me personally, it is a great stress reliever.  It helps me get everything off my chest. When I have good days, I get to put everything down so I can remember how I feel. When I have bad ones, it helps me take out my frustrations and gain perspective on what is bothering me. Usually on my bad days, I always try to end with words of gratitude. Those words have a way of putting my mind at ease and changing my attitude. Some days I just want to dream, and writing allows me to see what those dreams are and if I want to put my time and efforts towards a new challenge.

And when I write to relieve stress, I dive into my “why” quite often. Why do I think the way that I do? What drives my thoughts and words and actions? When it gets to the point of explaining your “why”, that is when writing becomes interesting to me. The point where honesty exists and I get the opportunity to learn about myself.

I write to remember. The more I grow, the more I realize how quickly seasons in my life pass. I don’t want to forget how it felt to experience things or chase things or just be present with people. So, I write. I write to remember it all.

I also believe the want to remember drives a part of my photography as well – especially when it comes to the details. I often photograph the details more than anything because I enjoy seeing how much they add to the story.

I write to inspire. Mostly to inspire myself.  If others can gain from it as well, I like passing on the words of encouragement. We can always use a few more of those words in our days.  I believe words can spark action. I believe seeing words down on paper or screens or newspaper articles or restaurant napkins or written on the back of photographs – wherever – is important. Honesty becomes present. And I love that aspect. Because when you finally become honest with yourself and realize where you are at and what you are working with, I believe at that point you can chase after all you want to accomplish. When you put good motives behind your actions, you have the chance to inspire others. That to me is worth it.

…It is raining outside. The thunder is lighting up the sky. It is very loud. My eyes are closed. And all I can think about is the fact that it feels like I hear someone speaking. He wants my attention. He wants me listening… I read those words one day, and for some reason they stuck to me. They stuck to me like glue. I couldn’t escape them.

I write because words can stick. I don’t know how many times I have read words in books or magazines or blogs that just stuck. I couldn’t move pass them. I needed to see them and read them and contemplate how they were moving me. Once you realize the impact writing can have and how great words are, the whole concept of writing has a way of sticking.

I know my “why” is ever evolving and at different points in my life my driving force will change. They will both grow. They will both adapt. And I enjoy knowing at this point one thing – that this is where I began. These are the reasons I started.