Pen Power


My relationship with pen and paper goes back a very long way.  For as long as I can remember, I have loved writing poems, stories, essays etc.  My love affair with writing led me to complete a doctorate, even when I promised to give myself a break after completing my Master's.  Now that I've finished them both, I find myself still putting pen to paper to shape ideas, create frameworks and depict narratives.

I trust that you are well aware of the power that lies in writing down your feelings and thoughts in a journal of some sort.  The healing flow that transfers trauma from your heart through your fingertips to the pages of a book, is both mysterious and awesome.  It helps to clarify thoughts, firm up decisions and review regrets.  It's a discipline well worth investing in.

In addition, encouraging your loved ones to write, is a worthwhile endeavour.  Because of our busy lifestyles, we have lost the art of writing letters, but think how refreshing it would be to get a penned letter in the post from a friend, alongside bills and bank statements.  Writing notes to your immediate family to give compliments or instructions would make writing an integrated part of family life; asking children to write shopping lists, reminders or directions is another savvy way of teaching them to write without making it seem like work.

We are natural communicators, and although speaking/listening is our go-to mode, in order to progress in this era, we need to teach them to master the written word.  It is the basis of trust for formal relationships, and we would be doing ourselves and our children a disservice if we do not teach them how to master the pen, the keyboard and/or dictation software.

Dr. Monica

💜


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