I was recently asked by a good friend to write an article on a specific topic. I was told the article would be anonymous, but that it needed to be real, raw, and personal. It needs to be honest and not cliché.
My friend’s challenge got me thinking about this sort of writing – “honest writing” if you will, and just how difficult it is. I thought a lot about the entries I’ve put up on my blog, and realized that most, if not all, are very much self-censored. The modernist in me crafts these blog entries that have neat and tidy endings, almost as if I’d placed a big red bow on them. Even if I don’t solve the questions I’m wrestling with, I still end my entries with some sort of triumphant, “But I’m on my way to figuring it out.”
I wonder what would happen if I wrote more honestly… But how does one do that? As I started to think about the idea of honest writing, I found that I had more questions than answers…
Questions about honest writing:
- What IS honest writing? How does one write what is truly in ones soul?
- Why is it so hard to write honestly? Are we scared of being seen as less than what we portray in our not-so-elaborate, in-person selves? Do we fear being held accountable to our words? Are we afraid of worrying our loved ones, or maybe even infuriating them?
- Is there every a point where a writer can be TOO honest? Does extremely honest writing create more discomfort than it creates comfort? Should an individual sensor oneself for the better of mankind, and maybe for their own good?
- Does honest writing serve a purpose for anyone but the writer? Or is it just therapy?
- When does “honest writing” become just a “vent session”?
- Are blogs really a good medium for honest writing? No one would question a novel, poem or play that’s been published, but a blog? Especially since employers are using our personal blogs as testimonials of us as individuals…
Your thoughts and ideas are welcome… I’m always anxious to hear what people think about matters such as these. The spectrum is quite large, but also extraordinarily fascinating.
So please, share.
I look forward to learning, and gaining new perspectives on “honest writing.”
honest
goodbye, hello
Merry Christmas, one and all!
Over the past couple of days, I’ve noticed a lot of “lists” emerging, specifically on Facebook. A lot of people have been reflecting on the year 2009, and all that 2009 has brought – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ll be perfectly honest. 2009 is a bit of a blur to me. Granted, there are things I remember about this past year, both good and bad, but for some reason, this past year just seems to have flown by, and I’m not entirely sure where 2009 went.
I spent time with my extended family last night, celebrating Christmas. The majority of my extended family had a really difficult year. Lots of illness, lots of death, and lots of heartache. The one phrase that stood out to me throughout the course of the evening was, “Goodbye 2009. Hello, 2010.” The majority of my family members are anxious to say goodbye to this past year, and to welcome in a new year – a fresh start. I thought a lot about 2009 last night, and the the coming of 2010.
Here are some of the thoughts I had…
Next year, I don’t want to feel this way. As I sat around my family, I thought about all the sadness they’d experienced throughout the year, and recognized that I had my own sadness I was mourning. There were some very difficult parts of 2009 that I don’t know that I’d care to relive. And yet, I realized something… I HATE that feeling. I hate the feeling of having gone through an entire year, and only feeling a sense of lament… Was 2009 really that bad, or is it just a matter of perspective?
I don’t want to look back on 2010, and wish that it had been different. I don’t want to look at it and see only the ugly and painful things that happened. At the end of 2010, I do not want those things to reign or to be the only things that I see. When I get to the end of 2010, and I’m celebrating Christmas and the New Year, I want to be able to say, “2010 was a blast! Let’s do it again!” I want to say, “Let 2011 bring as many joys as 2010!” I want to be able to look back on the year and say, “Wow – that was worth it!”
I don’t want you to think that I’m ungrateful for this past year. I've been reflecting more and more on the brilliant things 2009 brought. This past year has proven to be a great year of growth for me. I have also met some amazing people this past year that have literally changed my life. But I also recognize the fact that sometimes pain is needed - that through hard times and through pain comes growth.
I am in no way looking at 2010 and asking for it to be a breeze with no pain and no hurt… But what I AM asking for is a renewed perspective – a perspective that looks for the things to rejoice over. I want to look for ways to grow – not just realize, after the fact, that I’ve grown. I want to see people and situations in a new light… I want to love unconditionally. I want to better appreciate what I have, even when it feels ugly and uncomfortable. I want to become a dedicated, passionate person – one who lives it out, not just talks it out.
How, you say? Whew! Tough question… No idea what the answer is. But as I’ve mentioned before, I love questions. Here's what I'm thinking: I just need to start doing it. I need to start doing all the things I want to learn and be… Sometimes, I will fall flat on my face in failure. That’s inevitable. And I’m sure it’ll be a painful process, as I hate failure. But at the same time, if I don’t “do” until I “learn” – I’m not sure I’ll ever get to the “doing.” So the way I look at it, I just need to start DOING these things. I need to start moving. 2010 is going to be about motion for me.
So, goodbye, 2009… and hello, 2010. May you prove be a devastatingly brilliant year… One of constant motion, ridiculous love, abundant rejoicing, and substantial growth.
