For A Writer, There Is No Day Off

We write what we know, right? And “what we know” is a never-ending evolution that begins the day we first said “how do” to the world and ends when we depart.
That said, it is imperative that we hold onto and learn from all of the landmarks in our lifetimes. Even the most painful times of our lives can bring the greatest learning, the greatest healing and greatest victories of all. In that vein, we have to put pen to paper (or keystrokes to Microsoft Word) in the blissful and brutal times alike, relishing the emotions and experiences because they make us who we are. These very experiences and emotions are also the springboard into our contribution to the rest of society.
Why do we write? It can be for our own reflection and our own growth and for our eyes only in our moments of solitude. Or it could be to help others succeed where we have stumbled and fallen. Writing is the beautiful sculpting of words in a way that it captivates others, compels them to listen and inspires them to broaden their own horizons.
Because of this divine calling and because our lives never let up, for better or worse, there is no such thing as a day off for a writer. We have to log every leg of our journey because missing the profound perfunctory jewel of a single moment of our lives is letting opportunity slip through the cracks. You may not realize the significance for days, months or years but someday it will all gel and the masterpiece will take shape.
You may think you cannot sling words together like the wordsmiths in the industry. Who cares. Does that shame some of the American Idol hopefuls from trying out and looking like fools on our television screens? No. If we have something to say – a message, a teaching, a moral or an anecdote, it is our duty to impart it to others.
If you sit idly by and watch the parade go by, afraid to share your thoughts and feelings and contributions with the world, what will your mark be? Are you content letting everyone else but you dictate your life for you? Or do you want to stand up and be counted and leave your imprint on this world? That is for you to decide.
In the meantime, be it in the mainstream media or the recesses of your mind, write. It is therapeutic, helps us work through issues we cannot even trust with our best friend and it helps us develop every day we live and breathe.
On top of that, it is the only job I have never wanted to take a day off from.