The assignment is to sit and write without editing or really thinking for 15 minutes. Anything that comes to mind goes on the page. Time is ticking and at this point, nothing is forming for me but telling you why there is no substance here. Just words.
Words. Some of them are so powerful and some are so weak. When you say you like something, it's a bit on the order of agreeing that whatever the thing is, can exist in your world without bothering you, but you wouldn't notice if it was gone. It's a weak word. Loving an item or an idea, however, is strong. It would change your life to lose that thing or not follow the idea. When like things, they may exist; when we love things, they must exist.
Words can be so healing and so calming. Telling someone in pain that you are hurting with them or for them, telling someone who is sad how much you care about them or how important they are to you can completely change their day. Knowing we are not alone in this world is usually accomplished by hearing or saying the words that affirm our importance to another human. A hug is nice, too.
Knowing the value of words in my life does not keep me from coming to points in my life where there are no words. None that mean enough. None I haven't already said. None that quite fill the bill for what is happening around me or to me. Days come when I cannot write because nothing new comes to my head and the old thoughts feel tired and used to me. The books I so want finished are waiting, waiting to tell me where to go from here. I am the slave of the keyboard, but the story must reveal itself to me and creatively speaking, I'm barren right now.
How unusual is this? I, who always have something to say, truly has nothing to say. It happens at least once a winter. Maybe it's good to get it over with early this year. Maybe it'll be gone shortly and I can move on.
Time's up...
Jo
Your post reminded me of some words from a movie (I think it was the Dr Doolittle movie with Eddie Murphy) where his daughter says "I know he loves me but he doesn't like me" - will have to ponder on that one. But so true, words can be so powerful in uplifting someone or destroying them. Great post Jo, and a thought provoking one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzy, I have said the same about people in my life. I definitely love them, but liking them can be harder.
DeleteI'm going through one of those spells where the words aren't flowing as well. Don't know why. I think I need to dedicate more time to the craft.
ReplyDeleteEven when you say 'nothing', you've given me something to ponder. :)
That's really a nice thing to say. Your words always matter.
DeleteI'm going through one of those spells where the words aren't flowing as well. Don't know why. I think I need to dedicate more time to the craft.
ReplyDeleteEven when you say 'nothing', you've given me something to ponder. :)
See above! Ha ha ha
DeleteYou have some good things to say for someone with nothing to say Jo! Hang in there, winter is almost over! (Now in an effort to emulate Amy The Repetitive, let me add: Hang in there, winter is almost over!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kindness, Mike and I have less than 60 days to muddle through! COME ON SPRING!
DeleteWhere are the words from? Is it a song? At half two in the morning I can't think, but your post made me think 'You say it best, when you say nothing at all'. It reads like that. I know there is something deep in there, but it will take time and chewing over to work out what that something is for me. Gawd, Jo, I can do without that much brain workout at this time of night *grin*
ReplyDeleteIf there is something more in there besides the importance of choosing ones's words with care, it is for you to find and mull. Oh, I'm sorry if I fatigued your brain on a sleepless night, but glad you stopped by!
DeleteI agree with everyone else. Even when you don't have anything to say, what you do say has so much meaning. The winter blues will soon pass and you will be back to your bubbly self. I do understand how you feel. I have been in a writing slump for a couple of months now. I just don't seem to have it in me. Hopefully, I will find my voice again soon, as will you. To quote someone much wiser, "Hang in there, winter is almost over!" (Hey Mike, does that earn me any brownie points?) hehe
ReplyDeleteI'm in a life slump! lol. It'll pass in time and I'm pretty sure once the crud lets loose of me, I'll be in a much brighter state of mind. Right now, I'm a grumpy, sleepy slug. Not someone who should be socializing at all
DeleteSo thanks for the pep talk and always being there for me...it's a really good thing to be loved and to love!
Great post as usual Mz. J. :) I tell my kids all the time, be kind, be positive because there truly is power in words.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. Good lesson for the kids!
ReplyDeleteThis spoke to me. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThat makes me very happy. Thank you Tamara.
DeleteSeems like it happens to the best of us too, Jo! I love your words and know they'll come - eventually.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your constant support. I'm turning the corner with January passed and the sun shining two days in a row! I think I see spring coming down the road. 38 days to go!
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