The Write Beginning

Having a deep love for writing (yes, as well as Pilates), I could not resist sharing how capturing your memories/thoughts on paper might bring you into a more healthy lifestyle. While research has proven that writing is healthy for you (news about that in the next article), I am pleased to bring you more than just stats but empirical evidence.

Over ten years ago, I experienced somewhat of an epiphany. I was at a crossroads having decided to pass on the lay counseling and speaking mantle after seven years. Where was I to go next? As usual my life took an unexpected avenue of change. One day it became crystal clear what the next genre should be: to develop a writing workshop. Me? It sort of felt like what I imagined Moses experienced when the Lord elected him to free His people, the nation of Israel. Shock, maybe? Remember that story? Moses informed God that he was not the man for the job afterall, he was not eloquent, and was slow of speech and tongue. And the Lord reminded him, “Who hath made man’s mouth?... Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you should say.” (Exodus 4, KJV) Moses continued to argue with God. Not a good idea (had that T-Shirt and did not want a new one). So I listened.

The catalyst was my sweet little mama (see photo above). A stroke had invaded her body one sobering March morning while visiting me here in Texas. As time evolved and recovery settled in, we came to realize that she would never be quite the same. Her writing skills we had all once enjoyed were escaping her mind and hand. While she knew what she wanted to pen, her neurological responses had other plans. Imagine waking up one day and hardly recognizing the body you now reside in.

During those challenging days, came the impression that I was to develop this workshop for people to write their life story, their autobiography. I feverishly set out with a passion. And in a matter of a few months, I had drafted a six-week writing workshop. Not long after, I had the final results and started the journey to present it to the public. My first stop was the Dallas Public Library. I had anticipated I would have many “stops” to make before an interest would present itself. Was I ever pleased that the librarian was immediately interested. And so began the memories. There were almost 20 in that first class. I remember standing in the room before the students came in and wondering, “How in the world did I get here?”

The engagement between students while sharing their life stories was reward in and of itself. In the beginning my mission was to help people get their stories on paper before it was too late. Little did I know how this seemingly simple mission would bring mental and emotional health into the lives of these precious students.

Over the next few years I witnessed life changes in many students as they wrote their way to better health. As I recognized the health connection and the greater need for what the workshop might offer, I wrote a grant for a local senior center. Too, I was asked to co-write a grant with a librarian for the Dallas Library. For more info you might want to visit my "writing"website: http://www.thewritememories.com/