“Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.” – Julia Cameron
Writing is one of the most powerful tools in our recovery toolbox. Writing, that is pen to paper, is much more effective than typing. Think about it. We feel the pen glide across the paper as we create the shape of each letter. We see the blank paper begin to fill as we thoughtfully create each sentence. We hear the words in our inner ear as we document the events and associated feelings. We smell the paper and sometimes the ink as we write. We even smell and taste the beverage and food we use to comfort ourselves as we write.
When we put pen to paper, we hold in our hands a book of our reality, vulnerabilities, and record of progress and healing. Often, upon review, we can see the pain in the penmanship as we struggle to write the words we hesitate to admit, or we notice our font increases as we find serenity and joy as we write. Occasionally, we find the watermark of tears where we took time to cry or coffee that we dripped while contemplating our next statement. Please refrain from typing, as one misses the therapy of the curves, dots, and crosses of our alphabet. If you just insist on using technology, at the very least use a stylus and tablet as this is the supposed modern equivalent of pen and paper.
"My two fingers on a typewriter have never connected with my brain. My hand on a pen does." - Graham Greene
HYPOCRIT, you think am I. Note this my friend, I often create the drafts of blogs and lessons on paper prior to the final edits on computer; although it is becoming more difficult as a result Parkinson’s Disease, there is great healing and learning in hand writing the document.
The effectiveness of the healing process is directly proportional to the effort put into the task of thoughtful writing. Ask yourself these questions prior to writing:
· Am I willing to be rigorously honest?
· Am I seeking truth?
· Am I willing to call a friend (sponsor) if I find pain, fear, or shame?
· Am I committed to accepting what is found (good, bad, and ugly)?
If you can honestly answer yes to all these questions, then you're ready to begin.
Tip #1 Materials
The materials needed vary from person to person, however there are some general guidelines in what is needed to write. First, use a comfortable, quality pen. While, on one hand, this may sound a little conceited or snobbish; consider, on the other hand, the possibility of finding ourselves writing several pages over the course of an hour or two. The distractions of pain and a faulty pen may be avoided with a comfortable pen containing a smooth, consistent ink and ergonomic grip. Many prefer a 0.7 mm rollerball with a fuller bodied shaft when journaling, as they find a more comfortable grip, enjoy the ease of pen movement, and ease of seeing the dark ink contrast with the paper. Others find the 0.7 mm a little to bold and prefer a 0.5 mm. Again, this is users’ preference.
Second, acquire a journal to organize your writings. As we learn working the steps, situations and feelings are not isolated events. Having a dedicated journal for our recovery writing allows us to review or make note of new ideas while writing. Thus, preventing the distraction of searching for where that other writing is located. Most prefer a heavier paper than the spiral notebooks we used as kids. The bleed through may distracting when writing, and more so when reading. Some prefer hardback, others soft, that is your preference. The goal is practicality, comfort, and extended use. Furthermore, if we have a nice journal that our family recognizes as ours, the less likely the chance of it being used by someone else. Not to mention that using a nice, quality journal gives us the impression that our writings are significant and worthwhile.
Tip #2 - Location, Location, Location
First Location Consideration
Select a location that is good for your mind. A place with few distractions. The deep thought we enter when writing slows our minds thus allowing us to explore our feelings and examine the circumstances surrounding them. We have a chance to review our lives from multiple perspectives and gained knowledge. Consider the possibility of a location, and/or time, that enhances concentration and thought. It is highly recommended that we refrain from listening to radio or TV as this distracts the mind and interferes with the inner ear. Silence, while often awkward, is the place we often find our deepest thoughts, truths, and healing. The greater the silence the greater the opportunity to hear.
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” – Christina Baldwin
Second Location Consideration
Select a location that is good for your body, in other words is ergonomically situated to write. A comfortable and supportive chair, a well-placed writing surface (or at least a hardback journal), and sufficient lighting are suggested. Tastes vary but comfort is a must. While the porch swing may be your favorite place to sit and think, it may not be efficient for a writing. A solution might be a TV tray or portable table in front of the swing. Or when you become uncomfortable on the porch, move to the kitchen table. Note: if you find yourself with backpain every time you write, you naturally will want to write less, or rush the process. If you feel physical pain move to another location.
Third Location Consideration
Location three – Select a location that is good for your spirit. I prefer writing or working in a place of inspiration. For me that is overlooking a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it is an ocean, lake, river, creek, or pond, as the sight of a body of water or sound rain inspires reflection or creativity. However, others, especially when working the steps, may opt for a location that feels safe. If this is your need, then find that space and put it to good use. Also, it is recommended that the journal and pen are on the nightstand at night. This allows for those evening prayers, step 10 work, and midnight inspiration.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” - Anne Frank
Step 3 - Get it on Paper
Remember this is your private journal. You share only what you want, with whom you want. It will not be published or otherwise publicized. These are drafts of thoughts, often in real time. The idea is to write, not create a novel or prose. We are seeking raw truth. Rigorous honesty. A recovery brother stated “man, rigorous honesty sucks!” Yes, yes it does; however, it also unlocks the doors of truth and healing. For without truth there can be no healing. While writing ask yourself: am I seeking truth or attempting rationalize, justify, or minimize my actions? If it is the latter, write why you feel the need to rationalize, justify, or minimize your actions. This will often lead to the core of the issue that needs healing.
“I write in order to find out what I truly know and how I really feel about certain things. Writing requires me to go much deeper into my thoughts and memories than conversation does.” - Leslie Marmon Silko
What to Write
In recovery, we find great healing in the writing exercises of the 12-steps. The 12-steps, especially in a Christ-centered recovery group, offers much healing in route to a path for better living. However, do NOT try to work them without the guidance of a recovery sponsor. There are "open" recovery groups that consists of more than alcoholics and addicts.
J. Keith Miller, suggests in his recovery book, A Hunger for Healing, we all may benefit from working the 12-steps.
Topics
Gratitude lists – what and why. Write 5 per day, never repeating an entry for 7 days. Note: nothing is too big or too small for a gratitude list.
Prayers - write out your daily prayers. This is interesting in that we can go back to these at a later date and see how God has worked in our life.
Fears and insecurities - Remember fear is False Evidence Appearing Real or Forget Everything and Run. Fear is in the future; reality is in the present. Why are you in fear? If what you fear is the bad future, what is the good?
Feelings – just write how you feel. When finished you may write how you want to feel and why.
Hopes and dreams – I want to…
A Biblical passage – write the passage, what it means to you, and how you can apply it to your life.
Your character defects – write the defect, what it means, the antonym of the defect, and one sentence what the antonym means. Google "Character defects and antonyms" for ideas.
In Conclusion
Recovery writing is a way of healing. We can face our fears, express our hopes, and deal with our feelings. Through the exercise of hand writing our feelings on paper we get them out of the dark recesses of our minds. We get them into the open, into the light, so that we can deal with them; more importantly we can ask God to deal with them. Pray as you begin, write, and finish. Ask that God reveals what needs to come to mind, gives you the courage to write it out, and that His will be done in each circumstance.
Summary
Step 1 – Use good equipment. A good pen and quality paper. Enjoy the art and healing of writing as you put quill to paper.
Step 2 - Remember the three locations:
1. A location with minimal distractions and maximum silence.
2. A location that is ergonomically sufficient to write.
3. A location that inspires or feels safe.
Step 3 – Get it on paper. Find a topic and write.
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