I write because
Yesterday evening I had the honor of facilitating the Veterans Writing Circle for ASU. It was a facilitation because as I interacted with the three women who came to our zoom room, I quickly realized I was outclassed at every turn. I like to claim I am some sort of writer as I have a published work but I was humbled as each shared with me their small pieces in their responses to my prompts. One such prompt was, the title of this blog. I write because. The words they spun in the 10 minutes I gave them were nothing short of inspiring. One of the participants words brought tears to my eyes. In just a short paragraph, her words literally made me cry. I don’t just walk around crying, in fact most of the time, my emotions are in check. My personality at times requires it, if not my positionality in life. So for me to let down my guard and shed some tears in the presence of these three women whom I had just met had a profound effect on me, hence this blog.
I respond now to my prompt: Why do I write? I write because it is a balm. It heals things in me that I don’t even know need healing. Writing for me can be an outlet of anger without violence. It allows for me to lead others, teach others and have some positive influence over things I can’t seem to put my finger on. I write because at times, I feel alone, and my words become my friend. I write because, it is, at times, expected of me. I write because I have an expectation of me. I also write because it is not expected of me. I wasn’t the brightest of students, no English teacher said to me at one point, “Boy Shawn you really have a talent here, you should pour your efforts into writing!” I write because I want to leave a legacy, I want my kids and grandkids to read my words one day. I write because I have a story and it longs to be told. I write because at times my ego requires it. I write because I want to. I write because, well just because.
I hope today you find something you love to do. Something you do that creates in you a place of serenity. Something that connects the outer you to the inner you. What do you do just because?
