It was a cold, snowy February night. I drove home from UWP in tears over the stories I had just heard; stories from women who had faced huge obstacles in life and had tremendous strength within them to overcome. It was overwhelming to hear, and even more overwhelming to realize the power within each one of them at having written those stories down.
On another cold, snowy day in January (let’s face it – this is Wisconsin so there are a lot of cold, snowy days!) I sat at a restaurant by the highway telling a writer the changes I felt she needed in the book she had given me to edit. My comments were not easy to hear, and I wondered how she was taking it all in when she reached across the table, grabbed my hand, and said, “Will you be my therapist?”
Writing is a powerful tool for working through feelings, emotions, trials and goals. It is amazing what comes out of us when we open our inner doors and allow things to flow. One of my greatest joys in the years I taught writing was seeing women (men do this too, but more privately) discover and uncover things about themselves through their writing. I’ve had students come into a class apologizing for how long it’s been since they’ve written anything and warning me not to expect a lot from them. Over the weeks I watch as they find a voice, and with that voice find the courage to share stories and look at things in a deeper, more personal way than before. Sometimes they cry; sometimes they are shaken; sometimes there is visible relief. No matter how it comes out it is always amazing to watch them realize their own power through their words.
Writing can take away the sting of the past; can help you make sense of the senseless. Writing can help you calm down, help you release your anger; help you say things you wouldn’t otherwise say aloud. Writing can give you hope, help you set goals and see ways to reach them. It is a safe, personal, self-guided way to deal with stress and anger. It has been proven to relieve stress induced illnesses such as asthma. It has helped heal veterans and abuse victims. It has given hope, purpose, and closure to prison inmates. It is an amazing art form, with amazing potential for healing your life.
As I sat this fall with more writers, writers who really want nothing more than to work on the words that tell their stories, I realized once again the power that writing holds. One woman is putting her past to rest through her poetry. Another is opening her future by realizing what is important to her – what lies in her writing.
Art is healing – no matter what medium you use. Writing is one tool that can successfully bring healing and hope into your life. Pick up a pen. Write your story. Realize your power.
Colleen Kappeler offers writing therapy, writing coaching, and editing. She also works as a freelance writer and editor. You can visit her site at http://kenoshawriter.synthasite.com
Ms. Kappeler, along with Jeanette Stevenson, Life Coach, will be offering a women’s weekend workshop this spring, April 25-26. The workshop will deal with discovering and uncovering yourself through writing and vision board work. Registration ends April 1st.
2 comments ↓
I am going to sit down to write right now! Thank you for your words of inspiration and your continued support and passion for writing.
Very inspiring words…. I can attest to the benefits of writing, even at its most basic, just keeping a journal. Forcing yourself to record your feelings each day, even if it’s just a few words, is a way of monitering your progress through life. At first, the entries do not seem like much. But, as the months and years go by, you reread what you have written and see the deep, insightful, creative person who is you. (Or you see a cranky brat, and you realize why you have no friends…lol…sorry.) Art is the fuel that drives humanity!
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