The Guilt of Not Writing for a Long Time

In each of our lives there is something which is effortless, pure, and enjoyable. It is the thing which gives us real pleasure. When we are it, we are mindful and aware of our existence. It could be dancing, gardening, painting, reading, writing, or anything. We may name it ‘the calling’, ‘stress buster’, or whatever we wish. But the only truth is that it makes us forget the time and connect with our real self. For me, writing has always been one such thing, apart from reading and spending time in nature.

So the question comes is, does it really make any difference if you love reading but don’t read, love writing but don’t write, love dancing but don’t dance?

It doesn’t. Doesn’t make any difference to the world.

If you don’t read, or write, or dance, or paint, it hardly matters. The earth continues to revolve at the same speed as before.

So how does it makes any difference?
It makes difference to YOU.

It has been one & a half year since I last updated this blog. In the past also I’ve taken breaks from blogging. But at those times I had never forsaken my writing habit. I maintained a spiral journal in which I wrote frequently, if not daily. But this time it has been different. I did not write anything at all.
Guilty? Yes, highly!

Why?
Because due to change in work I had to part with my family. And the times have been challenging. Further, I chose the easiest option – not to write anything. Whereas the truth is that hard times provide that needed fuel on which the flame of our creativity feeds. I could have continued writing and put on paper my tough times, the lessons I’ve learnt, and the way I managed to go on. But I didn’t. And that is what hurts.

Nonetheless, times are still tough, though slightly improved with a tiny silver lining beginning to appear on the horizon. And I’ve dusted off my spiral journal, and I’m writing more religiously than ever before.

“If you stumble, make it part of the dance.” -Author Unknown

One thing I’ve realised is that writing is nothing more than pursuit of truth, your truth. I had a false notion that writing is about style & grammar. Writing is all about truth. And I think each one of us should write something everyday to find our truth, our meaning of existence. So, do write. Write few words a day, few sentences a week, few paragraphs a month. But those words, sentences or paragraphs should contain truth – your truth. That is all there is. May be this is what Hemingway also meant when he wrote:

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”

See you in the next post. Till then, keep writing.

You’ll Change in the New Year

Wherever you are, whoever you are – rich, poor; young, old; lady, or gentleman – one thing you are going to confront soon is that this year too has ended.

The calendar will change: the date, month, and year will change. But if we look at it another way, nothing is actually going to change. The days will be same, you’ll be the same person, and the things will be same – at least they won’t change because the year has changed. Then why do we celebrate the New Year, or why do we even have new years?

In this technologically burdened life, we are busier than ever. In this race of staying connected, we have been slowly departing from our own self. We are losing the connect with our soul; I feel this, and maybe you also feel so, sometimes.

So isn’t it wonderful that we have events – because that is what they have merely remained now, events – like New Year, Christmas, Holi, and Diwali that remind us that there is more to life?

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
~ T.S. Eliot

2015, for me, had been a great year, unlike 2012 which was a bad year. If you compare the calendars, these both years were same, but 2015 was a great year because the lessons of the previous years made me a better person. They taught me to consider each day a blessing and not overthink about the past or the future.

So to rephrase, things aren’t going to change, mostly. The days will be same, the months will be same, and the events will also be the same. But what will change is you. In the new year, you’ll be a better person, a better human. And that is what really matters in the end.

So, be prepared. You are about to change. Aren’t you?