A case for writing from the NYTimes
In an opinion piece in the New York Times, Maria Konnikova described an old tradition/wonderful exercise that she called the Unset Angry Letter.
The Angry Unsent Letter, she says, "serves as a type of emotional catharsis, a way to let it all out without the repercussions of true engagement."
And, as she points out, with the Angry Unsent Letter (and letters in general) rarely being used these days, combined with the ease of venting publicly through social media, there's a lot more nastiness out there.
Wouldn't we all be so much better off if we vented all that stuff on paper in a letter we never intend to mail, and then let it go?
Writing and getting feelings out on paper leads to perspective ... which can lead to compassion (for self and others) ... which leads to a way happier you and planet.
Peace though pens. Yes, please. More of that, please.
I have been dreaming a lot about paths. I do my best in given circumstances, but sometimes I fuck up, I fall down, and do things that aren't always good for me. But I keep writing and walking. The path is mine; I’m on the right road.
Learn how the simple act of paying attention and responding with “thank you, more please” will beget more and more reasons to say “thank you, more please”.
I’ll bet you’ve heard Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day – or at least the iconic final line: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” and felt a longing to live that way. But are you …?
The devil is the voice in your head that whispers: Yeah, you know you have to quit smoking, drinking (or some other behavior that enslaves your spirit …)… and you will … of course you will. But, the devil will say: not today.
Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to have that public platform to thank all the important people who brought me to this time and place in my life. (But wait, I kinda do right here …) So, inspired by the Academy Awards…
With the ease of venting publicly through social media, there's a lot more nastiness out there. Wouldn't we all be so much better off if we vented on paper in a letter we never intend to send?
Y'know “…in the event of an emergency, put your own oxygen mask on first."...? Well, writing’s my oxygen mask. It's the thing that keeps me from losing my shit when I feel like I'm losing my shit.
I have no idea what happened to the people in the brown SUV. It could have been us. It almost was. A split second (and the hubster’s quick acceleration) is all that saved us.
“The calendar flips and nothing is different, really. Still, there's much to celebrate: the world's the same, and never the same river twice.” A poem for the new year.
A story of the magic of co-creation in New York on a gorgeous sunny day. With a little inspiration to create your own magic any day perhaps.
