A Thought is Like Air...

A thought is like air, floating around, unseen and undefinable yet necessary and full of potential.

Speak that thought and see it take structure and move things as that air becomes wind.

Write those spoken words down in concise sentences to find its borders and tame the winds before they grow into a storm.

Pen a thesis statement, add structure and remove unnecessary lines to channel the power of that wind like a jet stream filled with purpose and intent.

… I think that is the best way to describe how writing benefits me. It takes air and forms it into a jet stream.

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As hard as it is to believe, I have now published over 100 writings on this blog.

I thought this would be a good time to share a few things I have learned on this journey. Some of these things I have learned ABOUT writing, and some I have learned FROM writing.

Here we go…

1. If you cannot explain a matter in simple terms, you still lack understanding. Precise words, concise sentences, and truthful statements are evidence of mastery of a topic.

2. If you share your thoughts, people will disagree with them and the fact that you share them. Be thankful for that. It will help you grow.

3. The most challenging thing about writing is this: You know what you want to say. When you read a sentence you wrote, you understand it as you intended it to be understood because you have all the background thoughts in your mind. This does not mean that the reader will understand it in the same way. A good writer must be able to put himself in the shoes of his readers - or he needs good friends who give him feedback :)

4. There is a big difference between having unformulated thoughts on a topic and writing a contemplation for others to read. Simply putting your thoughts on paper is only the first step.

5. Don’t be ashamed of asking questions. Questions are good. If you genuinely don’t understand something, that is reason enough to ask – even if you think you should already know the answer. It is hard to learn if you refuse to ask.

6. Give ideas a chance. Being open to discussing all things is extremely important for learning. When we shut down conversations, we refuse to understand other people, the world, and God. Not understanding people blocks empathy. Not understanding the world makes us victims. Not understanding God makes us fools.

7. Start where you are, work with what you have.

   I can’t expect to write eloquently about topics I don’t yet understand. I must accept where I am in the process so that I can grow. This applies not only to writing but to all parts of life.

8. Prove yourself wrong.

   When you have an idea, formulate it and work on it. Then, do your best to prove it wrong. Do not go easy on it. Even incorrect ideas that are not deeply rooted in reality can withstand simple tests.

9. Here are three questions I try to always keep in mind: What is my highest priority in life? Why is it that? How much time do I devote to this purpose every day?

10. Write it down.

    When things bother us – deep existential things, not minor inconveniences - it seems easier to shove them away and ignore them. We cannot get rid of these things, though. We can only place them in a backpack that we must carry around; that bag gets heavy over time. Instead, when something bothers us, we should take our time, think, feel, and uncover the uncomfortable truth. Then we should write it down. Identifying and writing it down solves half the problem.

Reading and listening are great ways to learn.

But DOING is necessary for growth as well.

So, read and listen, do and live, and be sure to write down the lessons you learn along the way!

'God's Canvas' - taken by a dear friend in Alaska