Turning words into wisdom

Therapeutic writing, starting with just five minutes at a time, can help you turn your words into wisdom.

by Sue Meyn — 

It has been my experience that when we take time to write the words that describe our lives day to day, we acquire wisdom from those words. That wisdom may not show itself immediately. The words we use may be disorganized and unremarkable — even ordinary and routine. They also may be passionate, emotional or self-absorbed. Nonetheless, it is from them, I believe, that our wisdom emerges.

From where I am sitting right now, I can see a stack of used journals — a pile that startles me by its size. How much wisdom, I wonder, would I find in those pages? There probably aren’t many passages I would want to publish in an article, but they all contributed to who I am now. Little pieces coalesced into greater knowing.

Increasing and improving my awareness has been the focus of my life for the past 30 years — around the time I got into therapy. Little awarenesses turn into cues, clues and arrows, pointing me in the direction I will go next, keeping me on my path. What a relief to be able to listen to my own guidance instead of the myriad voices around me. And we all can do this, if we want to.

Therapeutic writing, starting with just five minutes at a time, can help you turn your words into wisdom. If you are fearful of someone reading what you’ve written, just tear it up afterwards. It is through the actual writing process that the power comes — the power to open, shift and transform.

Sue Meyn, L.P.C., has been part of the counseling field for more than 30 years and encourages people to find their own power in journal writing classes. She facilitates groups for The Wellness Community, an organization that supports cancer patients. www.journalmagic.com, sue@journalmagic.com or 480-945-9180.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 28, Number  3, Jun/July 2009.