  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: larryp
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A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle, yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded.
~~~Tyne Daly
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The faces along the bar of life belong to people looking for solace in their pain, longing for friendship in their loneliness, hoping for joy in the midst of their disappointments. They need a smile, a touch, a message of encouragement.
~~Stuart Briscoe
In a Writing.com forum, I stated that too many see this site as a friendship community and not a place to improve their writing skills. Today, I want to retract this statement. While I believe that we should be continually striving to improve our writing abilities, I believe we need those who will stand by us as friends and offer a message of encouragement, that friendship in loneliness.
Being an introvert, making lasting friendships has always been a struggle. I tend to flee often into my cave, my place of safety. Of course, it is not a literal cave, but a place of my inner being where only I can go. But it is not always so safe, for it isolates me from those who need encouragement and from the encouragement that I need. We need hope and encouragement, not only as writers, but as members of the human race. It is terribly hard to endure this journey called life without the support of friends and loved ones.
Many writers began the adventure of writing for the purpose of healing. When I sought a psychological counselor for a clinical depression about ten years ago, she recommended I carry a pocket-size spiral notebook and write down my thoughts. This, she stated, would be beneficial in my healing process. Not only did it aid in my emotional and spiritual healing, but it was the gateway to my highway of writing. I filled several pocket-sized notebooks.
Emotional trauma will often cause us to reflect upon who we are. In this reflection, many of us find our chosen pathway for life, our purpose. As some have stated, we find ourselves somewhere among the twisted vines of emotions. In the process, we find a road to recovery and healing. Once on this road, we become ‘wounded healers,’ using our experiences to help those who are searching through that cluster of emotions, seeking healing. They are looking for a a smile, a touch, a message of encouragement. Because we have been where they are and have found a higher place, we are ‘carriers of hope and encouragement,’ because we have been there and have come out of it.
It’s not that all things are wonderful for us now, as wounded healers. We struggle still; we seek the haven of our caves; we withdraw, but yet we have found a way to surmount our discouragements. This is where we can now be true friends, because we have something to offer, lovingly, knowing the pain that the wounded are suffering. And even in our caves, we know we dare not stay away too long, for we know the value of friendship and encouragement in our own lives.
After approximately two weeks, I recently surfaced from my cave, where I had withdrawn to escape a personal trauma. But as I hid, alone in the dark, I hurt deeply and needed encouragement, so I peeked out into the light. I have learned that encouragement does not readily come when we wait for it. Encouragement, it seems, comes to me when I offer it to others, as a ‘wounded healer.’
I am honored to be a member of Writing.com, for it is a place where I have great opportunities to improve my writing skills, but it is also a place where I can find the encouragement and give the encouragement that we writers and humans so often need. Being wounded allows me to encourage the wounded, for I bear the scars of the battle.
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Inspirational writings from 'wounded healers.'
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#1337486 by Not Available. |
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My experience being a social outcast in Middle School. Kids can be so cruel...
#1427383 by wiggy   |
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#1163181 by Not Available. |
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The Spiritual Newsletter editors appreciate your comments and responses to the Spiritual Newsletter. Thanks for taking time from your day to read our newsletters.
captsecure
Thanks for putting some interesting stories from authors who are learning, like myself, I always love to read and write, and maybe one day, I will be notice, anyway, thanks for such a good job!
Terry
Terry,
Thanks for your positive attitude about desiring to improve as a writer. Keep writing and don't worry about the notice for awhile. Write for the enjoyment of writing and continually improve your skills.
kansaspoet
Larry
faithjourney
Bless you for the newsletter on balance! I think this is the #1 issue most people deal with in our busy society - and they don't even realize it. The frenzied state most of us live in is proof enough. Thanks again for the reminder to take time to rearrange our priorities for real life!
I agree Sherri. I tend to get 'out of balance' on a consistent basis, so I have to check myself often. Thanks for your continual support of the newsletter.
windac
Writers addicted to writing!?! Preposterous! (wind says while looking over her shoulder)
Most of 2003 and 2004 was spent playing with words whilst glued to a computer. Ahhh... but some good did come of it. I was able to 'unbottle' on a grand scale in a positive and productive manner. And while I'm quite sure there were missed opportunities, writing quite literally may have saved my sanity.
I'm all for balance, but there are times when we must go through times of unbalance in order to work out the kinks.
Fascinating and thought-provoking issue. Well done!
Winda,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I miss the days when you were editing this newsletter. I agree, it's all about working out the kinks, which I seem to have my share of.
kansaspoet
Larry
sandharp
Dear Kansaspoet,
Thanks so much for this excellent newsletter! Writing can easily become an obsession/addiction before some of us know what has hit us. It took longer than it should have to realize the neagitive effects my addiction was having on the lives of my family members and myself. Thanks for sharing your personal experience, as well as steps you've taken to help yourself.
Sandi,
Thanks so much for your comments and your kindness. At times, I find myself 'ignoring' my loved ones without even realizing it. It's easy to lose focus.
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Spiritual: June 18, 2008 Issue [#2447]
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