Ask the Coach: Writing from the Heart

Writing From the Heart—Giving Voice to the Quiet Within You

I frequently receive messages from men and women about wanting to write books, articles, memoirs, educational material – something to express themselves – but don’t know where to begin. The following is not a formal Ask the Coach question; however, I wanted to share this article that I wrote for a publication last year. Perhaps it will inspire you to transition your thoughts into the written word.

 It is in the moments of invisibility that I appear – precious words written at a retreat when I was gloriously in touch with my inner philosopher. Our facilitator had inspired me to reach deeper. What had I not given voice to? What was calling me to go beyond the usualness of my daily life? It seemed that she was challenging me to dance at the edge of an unknown prairie, and I felt a sudden cold chill of apprehension.

I wanted to do as she suggested. I believed in her words, and yet there was the fear factor. What if I uncovered something that had laid dormant for decades, a thing that I didn’t want to look at again, that was never resolved.

Or…what if I bathed in the light of happiness, conjuring wonderful words of wisdom and uplifting revelations?

The gift in writing is that words and thoughts are always in motion. Writing allows us to explore our journey. We are in touch – with the whisperings of our spirit, the caprice of nature, the courageous and passionate expression of our innermost desires. Writing allows us to explore our journey, to pen our most fabulous thoughts, to write of the most intimate treks through our mind. And when we reread these most personal and profound stories, we smile inside, or maybe cry. Perhaps we dance for joy because the words helped us through a most challenging time in our life.

Writing has the capacity to open our minds, watching and listening for signals of what is to become.

Where am I now? What do I hold sacred? Who is the person writing – me? A person hidden in an alternate reality that resides inside my body? These questions and more beg to be answered. The inquiries do live inside me, often swirling in undecipherable ecstasy, excited about what will pour from my fingers onto a page. Sometimes I’m hesitant to write because I feel that I’m not experienced enough with the written word. But the beauty of writing is that no one else ever needs to see our declarations…unless we want them to witness our cherished ramblings. And if I don’t rise to the occasion, the courage to put pen to paper, I might never even know what’s possible!

When I was very timid about writing, I discovered an exercise that helped me through this time. I wrote this statement: “I’m afraid that I won’t have anything important to write about.” And then I had a conversation with “fear.” For instance:

Sharon: I’m afraid to write what is in my heart.

Fear: I’m just a thing. No one else can see me.

Sharon: Yes, but I know you’re there and you prevent me from picking up my pen.

Fear: Can you tell me why you’re afraid of expressing yourself?

etc. etc.

The rules are that you must keep your pen moving for 15 minutes and write anything that comes up. You cannot stop until the time is up. If necessary, just write blah blah blah! When you reread your words, you can see what might have escaped from your unconscious mind when you were absorbed with your invisible friend.

Working for the Federal Government, I became immersed in writing and learned how to compose lengthy jargon that could have been stated in a few short paragraphs. They didn’t care about visions or journeys, just to “write what the commander told you to write.” In the meantime, I wrote in my journals, on napkins, paper bags—whatever was handy at the moment. Well, I admit, I still do this occasionally because I don’t want to lose the sometimes unrecoverable epithets that whoosh through my brain.

 Once you catch on to the spirit of words there is no end!

 Articles for United Press International’s religion and spirituality website came next. Some were excellent – many were not. However, I had upped the ante for myself, willing to go out on a limb, on schedule, every two weeks.

From there, I created a Mary Magdalene card deck and book, acknowledging a progression of skill and now getting excited about the possibilities of being a real writer. Then came my first book, The Diaries of Avalon Rose, and now I’m writing the next book in this series.

You see, it’s all about what came from my heart, in its own time. The allotments of words grew like my card deck—one idea at a time—stacked one upon the other until a particular piece felt full and ready to say “the end.”

 My love for life and business coaching now has an exciting new avenue. When I process my Vision Mapping Strategies with clients, there is always an element of writing as someone’s goal. Our publishing company (which is no longer in existence) and working with writing clients, kept teaching me how to touch my soul to access a host of tumbling expressions, and also to continue my passion helping others as they expanded their visions.

 Listen to your heart—the steady rhythm will always point you in the right direction. And if you need a start, there is always…”It was a dark and stormy night.”

 I would love to find out what you’re up to. I offer complimentary telephone coaching sessions.

The Vision Mapping Strategies process I developed always brings unexpected enlightenments and strategic plans of action for one’s personal and/or business growth. If I can help you with your writing process, or any transition you might be challenged with, please send me an email, sharon@visionjourneys.com Your success is my reward!