Writing From the Heart
by Christine Molloy
I am a writer. There, I said it. It has taken some time to come to that realization as becoming a writer was something that I thought would happen, someday. What I didn’t quite realize is that as I was trying to become a writer, I already was one.
I dabbled in writing when I was younger, writing a poem here and there or writing meaningful, heartfelt messages in greeting cards to my friends and family. One time I wrote a personal essay about a patient I took care of when I was working as a nurse and miracle of all miracles, it was actually published in a popular nursing magazine. I enjoyed the writing process but never took the time to fully devote myself to it. Other things got in the way such as work, friends, home improvement projects, and my marriage.
Then everything changed several years ago. I lost my job, my home, and my marriage. I was battling some very complicated health issues which recently were correctly diagnosed as an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome. It took over twenty specialists and three and a half years to get an official diagnosis. During a lot of this time, I was unable to participate in life as I was used to. I was unable to work. The result of all these events was that I had a lot of free time on my hands. Stress and frustration over my health and limitations consumed me on a daily basis.
That was, until I started to write. In April 2010, I began a blog entitled Thoughts and Ramblings on Life, Love, and Health in which I wrote about a variety of topics, mostly life lessons that I was learning along the path of my life falling apart and then the journey of trying to rebuild it. It was then that I REALLY found my passion for writing. When I was putting down my thoughts, feelings, and opinions, the words would flow from my head onto the paper. I worked very hard to keep my blog posts realistic, but yet with a positive message. What I found was that by doing that, it helped me to keep an optimistic attitude about my own situation.
My passion for writing was further fueled by my reader’s responses to the various blog entries. Whenever I would receive a comment or feedback about how what I wrote helped a person in some way, I felt like my life had a purpose again. Finally, my life consisted of more than doctor’s appointments, tests, and phone battles with insurance companies. Through writing, I have been able to do some healing emotionally, physically, and spiritually from the chaotic circumstances of the last few years.
Becoming a writer has filled the voids of space in my days, my mind, and my heart. Through words, I have been able to reconnect with life and myself again. For that, I am quite grateful.
* * *
Christine Molloy is a writer and registered nurse who lives in Massachusetts. She is a member of the Northern Connecticut Writer's Workshop MeetUp Group and enjoys writing essays and short fiction. More of Christine's work can be seen on her blog: Thoughts and Ramblings on Life, Love, and Health (http://www.christinemolloy.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Christine Molloy
I am a writer. There, I said it. It has taken some time to come to that realization as becoming a writer was something that I thought would happen, someday. What I didn’t quite realize is that as I was trying to become a writer, I already was one.
I dabbled in writing when I was younger, writing a poem here and there or writing meaningful, heartfelt messages in greeting cards to my friends and family. One time I wrote a personal essay about a patient I took care of when I was working as a nurse and miracle of all miracles, it was actually published in a popular nursing magazine. I enjoyed the writing process but never took the time to fully devote myself to it. Other things got in the way such as work, friends, home improvement projects, and my marriage.
Then everything changed several years ago. I lost my job, my home, and my marriage. I was battling some very complicated health issues which recently were correctly diagnosed as an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome. It took over twenty specialists and three and a half years to get an official diagnosis. During a lot of this time, I was unable to participate in life as I was used to. I was unable to work. The result of all these events was that I had a lot of free time on my hands. Stress and frustration over my health and limitations consumed me on a daily basis.
That was, until I started to write. In April 2010, I began a blog entitled Thoughts and Ramblings on Life, Love, and Health in which I wrote about a variety of topics, mostly life lessons that I was learning along the path of my life falling apart and then the journey of trying to rebuild it. It was then that I REALLY found my passion for writing. When I was putting down my thoughts, feelings, and opinions, the words would flow from my head onto the paper. I worked very hard to keep my blog posts realistic, but yet with a positive message. What I found was that by doing that, it helped me to keep an optimistic attitude about my own situation.
My passion for writing was further fueled by my reader’s responses to the various blog entries. Whenever I would receive a comment or feedback about how what I wrote helped a person in some way, I felt like my life had a purpose again. Finally, my life consisted of more than doctor’s appointments, tests, and phone battles with insurance companies. Through writing, I have been able to do some healing emotionally, physically, and spiritually from the chaotic circumstances of the last few years.
Becoming a writer has filled the voids of space in my days, my mind, and my heart. Through words, I have been able to reconnect with life and myself again. For that, I am quite grateful.
* * *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
13 comments:
Never underestimate the power of writing. It has saved many of us.
I hope you are feeling better and am glad you have found yourself again. Welcome back.
Thank you Karen!
Writing has been a powerful tool on your journey to rebuild your life. In sharing your struggles and insights, you have helped many along the way. Thank you and please keep the inspirations coming!
Hi Christine! I loved your Friday Speak Out blog post. We have a tiny bit in common. I had a hard time saying I was a writer, even after having a story published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology. I was usually say, "I'm a fledgling writer." Our other common thing is that I used to write letters and notes to friends and relatives and didn't think of that as writing until just recently!
I'm so sorry to hear about all the stressful things you've had to deal with. What a strong person you are, and I believe, too, that writing helps. I hope everything in your life becomes wonderful, and pretty darn soon!
Hi Christine,
Happy to "meet" you! It's great that you are feeling better and that you are now donning the name "writer".
Keep following your passion, and we'll keep reading!
xo
~ Lee
The "ME" in the Madness
Thank you so much Carla. It makes all the difference in the world to not only write, but to have loyal readers/followers like you!
Becky: It is so good to know that I am not alone in my previous identity crisis of becoming a writer! Thank you for the kind words. I do have to say, although maybe not every aspect of my life is wonderful (i.e. health issues), my life now IS wonderful. I feel strongly that a lot of that is due to the attitude I brought forth to the table when everything did fall apart.
Lee: Nice to meet you as well!
Christine,
Thank you for sharing your story. I agree with you and the other posters that the powers of writing, particularly that power to heal, cannot be denied. I started a blog recently and can relate to your statement about readers' responses "fueling" your passion. There is the internal satisfaction of putting words to your thoughts and visions, and there is also the satisfaction that comes when those words help you connect with other people. Best to you as you continue writing! J.C.
Thank you for the feedback J.C. It is quite an incredible process! What is the link to your blog?
Thank God you have found your God given talent. I enjoy your blogs and writings that you post. Even with health issues this is something you can spend time with along with your special friend and family. God bless you as you continue writing. You might become famous. Go for it girl. Love you! ~~<3<3~~ Harriet
Harriet ~ People like you help motivate me to write on those days that I am feeling really lousy so thank you!
Christine,
The link to my blog is dream-hour.com. Would love to have you stop by for a visit!
J.C.
Christine, I remember the day I gave myself permission to call myself a writer. It had nothing to do with being published but everything to do with my heart. I love this post!
Exactly Leah! It is so freeing when you get to that point!
Post a Comment