I never really considered the power of putting pen to paper until 2012.

That’s the year my mom died.

As a result, I found myself in a club I never wanted to be a part of, namely one filled with grieving souls. After resisting everything associated with grief for roughly one year after her death, I realized this approach wouldn’t help me throughout the journey. I needed to figure out ways to express on the outside what was happening on the inside.

Upon reflection, I remembered that I’d always enjoyed writing as a young girl. It was a way to share my dreams, fears, and other shenanigans in elementary and middle school. In addition, I enjoyed the sacredness of writing, often keeping my journal under lock and key in a special hiding place.

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In 2013, I returned to that sacred space, again releasing the power of putting pen to paper.

Day after day, I freely purged my thoughts, letting out what had been locked inside my heart. And as ink flooded the pages of my journal, I discovered that I not only felt deep sadness, but also confusion, anger, and disbelief.

The following questions plagued my mind:

• Why was it that my mom, after having survived two divorces, Crohn’s disease, a series of mini-strokes, and a major stroke, had her life taken from her with a 30-day timeframe?
• Why had my heart not been prepared for the enormity of loss?
• How could I live and thrive without someone who was not only my mother, but also my confidante, friend, prayer partner, and so much more?

I’ll be honest. Nearly nine years after scribbling my thoughts on paper, I still don’t have the answers to every question. What I do have, however, is a deeper understanding of the depths of grief. Further, I possess an awareness of myself that I didn’t have before my mom died.

I’ve come to a place where I fully accept all of who I am without concern about other’s expectations. I appreciate the richness and complexities of my personality. From my quirkiness to sarcasm to playfulness, I embrace who God created.

Oh, the power of putting pen to paper …

My discoveries have brought me have brought me contentment and helped strengthen my faith.

Who would have ever thought that simply putting a pen to a pad of paper could be so powerful?

Now, don’t just take my word here. Science backs up the value of writing. For instance, a 2016 article identifies five health benefits of journaling: https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling#1. So needless to say, writing is something I look forward to every day, knowing that it can literally change me and impact others around me.

It provides a small, yet profound and predictable, space for me to be me. No editing. No second guessing. And no circling back. Just authentic expressions of the love, the grief, the highs, the lows, my doubts, and my fears.

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Friend, I believe you too can experience the power of putting pen to paper.

In case you’re wondering what you might be able to write about day after day, consider using journaling prompts — simple stems to jog your thoughts and help you begin the process of writing. Here are a few I enjoy the most:

• What I’m feeling right now is ….
• What I need the most in this moment is …
• One way I can honor myself today is …
• Something new I learned about myself today is …
• I continue to think about …

My challenge for you today is to take a moment to consider the power of journaling as you process life’s transitions. Remember, it’s a sacred space, an opportunity to express your deepest thoughts and feelings. It can also serve as a key to help unlock what may be hindering you from taking steps forward. Finally, writing offers a beautiful means by which to remain loyal to yourself.

I’d love to hear what you discover. Don’t forget to share below!

XOXO,

M.

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