I don’t know if I will ever write again

It has been almost a year since I created this blog. Every fortnight I would excitedly write and post a new article. This time though, some people have started asking me why I haven’t written a new one. It has been over a month, they reminded me. I don’t have million readers but I always thought that if I could have just inspired a small crowd of people, I would be very happy – and I am. Lately, though, I questioned my own ability in writing. I have been a little doubtful whether I am good enough as a writer. As I recall, there have been many topics in mind which I wanted to share and there were some thoughts which stopped me from sharing. Is there any value in my shared reflection? Do people truly feel inspired by what I have written so far? Because as for myself, the process of writing itself, such as searching and considering topic of article, writing it down and posting it always gives me a great joy, and I truly value working on improving every sentence and paragraph, or articulating my thoughts more clearly. However, at the same time, I know that there are many great writers out there, people whose words flow beautifully, whose thoughts are concise and inspirational. Compared to mine – sometimes even the topics I covered turned out to be unoriginal. I thought, unbelievable! there is always someone somewhere out there who has already spoken, written, or shown about the same ideas as mine. So, what’s the point?

To write something good is not easy, every writer knows this fact. Even people with great talent do need to spend considerable time on their thoughts, sharpen their mind, polish their creation again and again like a piece of rough diamond to a beautiful piece of jewelry. My best friend, who is a good writer, experience it a lot. Sometimes some texts which I think looks great and perfect, to her eyes would still be a rough edge needing polishing.

Creating something in writing requires a lot of thinking and pacing back and forth, careful choice of words, evaluation, rewriting, rewriting, sleeping on it, and…rewriting again after (cooking instead, or gardening or watch TV), before finally reading and reading it again before you read it on my blog. From a draft to finished post is a genuine hard work. It is, I agree, 90% hard-work, 10% talent. I hardly ever have first-written article that is ready for sharing without some cosmetic changes, if not a major make over . Am I a bad writer? Don’t I have a real talent in writing? Should I give it up all together and take up…cooking instead? The answer is NO to all, because who I am matters, and what I do, no matter how small and imperfect, is my own, and this is me. Whether many don’t or do like my work, God will always like what I do if I do it sincerely for others. He has given me ability, this much, so much, and I will continue using it. Also, because despite of each person’s imperfection, every day people are sharing their thoughts through articles, essays, blogs, books or social media. Why? Because each person in this world, one way or the other wants to be heard and listened to. We want to share and contribute to the word through our stories. We love positive messages; and can’t get enough of them. We connect through WORDS, one of many ways of expressing who we are. We rediscover in our time and moment what has already been discovered by others in their own time. In THE STORY OUR LIFE, OUR STORY MATTERS. Its originality comes from the fact that it is OUR OWN UNIQUE STORY. If we do see similarities with others, it only means that we are all connected, we are living in the context of relationships which shape our life.

Today, if you read this post, we have connected. Maybe tomorrow, if you decide to share your story, my post could be a part of yours. Your simple words in a ripple effect can be an encouragement and inspiration for someone else as well. So, don’t wait till you are (or your writing is) perfect to start writing. Others are waiting for yours.

I for sure will write something again next time.

Never give up! Have a great week.

Sr Grace