Just Write

I really enjoy writing. It is very therapeutic for me, it helps to clear up my thoughts and learn new things about life and myself, it provides the chance to inspire and encourage others, and so much more. Some days I’m not sure which I enjoy more, writing or running.

I have been running every single day now for 237 days. I have not been writing nearly as much as I have been running, and this frustrates me. Writing could almost be considered easier than running, especially when considering the conditions that I’ve been running in lately. Between the weather and illness, it’s been tough to keep running everyday, but I have. Weather and illness doesn’t have much affect on my ability to write.

Writing is not hard, you just sit down and start writing, or typing, whichever suits your fancy. But writing is actually very hard, because real, honest writing can be scary or painful or difficult or confusing or frustrating or all of the above and more. When writing, especially when writing for other people to read, there is much at risk, but there are also great things to be gained. And just like running, writing doesn’t come easily for me, each sentence is a struggle, and I’m constantly wanting to quit and give up.

And yet I recognize the value to myself and the potential value for others that is available through writing. Through telling my stories, telling my truth, sharing the words and thoughts on my heart, I am able to grow and inspire others on their path to growth as well.

If you have never attempted to be a writer, this may sound like nonsense to you. But I think most of the things we know are good for us, the things that can lead us into an amazing life, are hard, complicated, confusing, or scary. Most of the time, good things don’t come from easy paths. It is only through making the choice to do the thing we want to do the least that we realize the life we want to live the most can be found.

And so, I’m making a commitment to myself, and I suppose to you too, dear reader, that I will start writing more. I’m not sure it will be the best and most earth shattering writing ever written, but I will write. Each day I will sit in the chair and put hands to the keyboard and pour out my words. Some days may end up with a page full of gibberish and nonsense. Some days may lead to publishing a post that scares me to do death to publish. And some days I just might write up a little something that will inspire, encourage, motivate, or help someone else on their own walk through life. That one is my goal and my hope. But I know that there will be good days and bad days for my writing, just like there is for my running. But each day I will write.

I am not committing to publishing a post every single day. But if my words are ever going to have an impact in someone’s life they have to actually be put out there for the world to read. So I will publish as often as possible.

Today, I want you to think about your own life. What is something you know you should do, but you’re afraid to do it? What is something you’ve been wanting to start or improve or do more of but the effort feels like more than you’re in the mood for right now? Is there something you do that is really hard for you, but when you finish it you feel amazing, strong, proud, and inspired?

Take the next step, put yourself out there, punch your fears in the face, and overcome those obstacles. Your amazing life is just on the other side of a little effort.