Healing the “Write” Way

Writing is a “labor of love.” The more you write, the more you grow. The more you grow the bigger you feel – not physically, you get the point. What I mean is your heart enlarges. Your mind expands and you have more to give than you thought was possible. At least that’s how I feel when I write AND share my work. 

On the other hand, writing is also “cheap therapy.” There’s something extraordinary about transcribing your thoughts, from incubation stage into words, that makes them come to life. When we let the thoughts locked up in the attic of our minds free they finally have room to explore. 

Writing for me has been a helpful tool in processing pain, disappointment and trauma. During this exercise I am then able to unpack some of my deepest thoughts, revealing things in my heart I wasn’t previously aware of. With each word I write and every sentence that’s formed I feel as if a layer of my heart is being pulled back and exposed. It’s vulnerability at its core; full-exposure. In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month I thought it would be fitting to share a glimpse of what I went through several years ago in my journey with the “C” word.

In February of 2016, just a year and a half after my sister passed away from another horrible cancer, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, aka Stage 0 Breast Cancer. It was termed stage 0 because it was a non-invasive cancer. Meaning the cancer was contained in the milk ducts and had not spread to other parts of my body. None-the-less, still a very scary experience. After having a partial lumpectomy, and some time to heal from surgery, I went through a series of daily radiation treatments. During these treatments I was completely exposed and left feeling very vulnerable and fearful. 

Each time I went in for a treatment I had to bare my chest, quite literally! I jokingly told my radiologist I was going to start expecting dollar bills every time I had a treatment cause I felt like I was giving them a free show at Mardi Gras, and surely I should get something in return. Honestly, it was extremely embarrassing having these Dr.’s see me every day for six weeks straight. Often there were different physicians attending because my appointments were at one of the largest teaching hospitals in the area…lucky me!

I’ve noticed during times of extreme discomfort like this, feeling exposed and vulnerable typically go hand in hand. You can’t really have one without the other…it’s kinda like being a “little pregnant”…just not possible. Likewise, when you start sharing your story with others it’s hard not to feel vulnerable for letting people see your “raw footage.” Let’s face it no one wants to even post a picture that hasn’t been filtered, edited, cropped or retouched. We want to put our best foot forward not the “real” version. 

Yet, this “labor of love” is different for me. I love what Brené Brown says about vulnerability in her book Daring Greatly. Brown says, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.” The reason it’s different for me now is because the payoff is worth the risk vulnerability requires.

The path of vulnerability is a beautiful one. What comes forth is something that’s been growing from within. Something internal has been taking shape, developing, and is ready to burst forth and breathe fresh air. These new words awaken new life. With every push of the pen and every word typed, courage gives birth to freedom and hope is born. 

You see writing gives me life, it takes my vulnerabilities and turns them into courage and empowers me to keep going.  It gives me a renewed sense of victory in being able to finally express what’s been there all along. When you too begin to give voice to your thoughts, transfer them onto a fresh journal or type them onto your computer, healing beings to take place.  Hope is reignited.

If you haven’t already, I pray you would begin to chronicle your story and share it with a trustworthy friend. In doing so I hope you would Rediscover Resilience in your life and experience the freedom and healing expressing your words will bring. 

How does writing help you heal?

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