Write On | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Write On

Life's a Story, and You Hold the Pen

56
Write On
gabriellasalmon.com

I've been left a little dry of inspiration lately, especially with writing. I haven't wanted to do much of it...I struggled opening the draft to write this article.

For those of you who don't know, I love writing. Writing is my passion. Writing keeps my sanity at bay. I fell in love with the written word when I was around 11 years old (though I wish it were sooner--no telling how much I missed out on). It amazed me that people so much like me and yet so different could merely think of some idealized or tragic world and breathe it to life. With words.

I couldn't fathom such a heavy idea. It was astronomical, beautiful. And I wanted to see if I could do it myself. To my surprise, it wasn't actually that bad. I thought I was good at it. It was a hidden talent buried in the cave of my naïve self. And I loved it.

Well, looking back now, I know what I'd written then was a hot mess, through and through. I pray none of it ever sees the light of day--that it all died with the dinosaur of a computer I originally wrote on. But I learned. I started reading a lot more, and the more I did, the more I discovered, the more I learned.

I learned it was possible to tackle hard topics through story - like racism, true beauty, heartbreak, depression, and suicide. I learned it was possible for stories to speak to your heart and lift you up. I learned it was possible for words to be so rich and powerful that it sent chills down your spine and warmed your soul. It was all so endless; I had a burning desire to do that myself.

So I did. For 5 years now, I've been writing and learning and improving, and it's been a beautiful experience.

But it's hard. Harder than a lot of things. It's easy to get into a rut, a hole with slick walls that's nearly impossible to climb out of. It's easy to quit, and say you're done. That it's not worth it. I went through a bout of depression and doubt like that recently. It was a dark time in my life. I almost gave up on writing and storytelling completely. Until I realized, I'm doing this for a reason. There's a purpose for this, as there is all things. It's going to be worth it, someday, somehow.

So I write on. It's all I can do. It's hard sometimes - it's rough, it's slippery, it's frustrating, but I'm trusting in the fact that I was given this talent because there's a reason for it that is greater than I'll ever know.

I want to encourage you to do the same. Maybe you're not a writer, but life is all about words and story. I like to think life's one big book and it's forever expanding with what we learn and experience. And while there's an Author who's always writing His story on us, we hold a pen of our own, and that pen holds a lot of power. Vibrancy, love, compassion, joy, peace, fear, pain, anger - we choose to write so many things on ourselves and on others every day. And it gets overwhelming to think we, the bustling, frantic, increasingly vast humans we are, hold that power and it's always in effect. Sometimes we don't want it (I know sometimes I'd rather just hide away where the only one I affect is myself - but really, how mundane would that be?); sometimes we hate it; sometimes it's a burden.

But write on. Life's a beautiful thing because no matter how many times we mess up or give up, there's always another chance to take. Even when we don't want to, the opportunity is always there. And we get to write it on the pages of our heart and the hearts of others forever.

So, when it's easier to give up, write on. When fear is getting the best of you, write on. When you reach a period of gray mundane living, write on. When it's hard, write on. When it's easy, write on. The pen's in your hand. Create something beautiful.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2722
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1622
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200884
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21322
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments