Writing through the storms of life
Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia
Life throws up a few interesting storms from time to time.
Last week we went for a short five day holiday in Robe in the south east of South Australia. It wasn’t long enough to really relax, but we did have a good time despite several days of poor weather. On the first day in particular it was really dark, wild and stormy. I’ve written in more detail in It was a dark and stormy day on my birding blog.
Storms can interrupt the normal activities of life. We may have to cancel that picnic. We may have to make alternative arrangements for other outdoor activities. Many times storms bring damage to personal property – and can even injure us bodily.
Environmental storms can take many different forms. Many times we can see the storm approaching and make suitable preparations to avoid personal damage, or property damage.
More subtle, however, are the storms in life that we don’t see coming. Illness, career disappointments, setbacks, death, accidents and many other happenings can come on us unexpectedly. How we deal with them can set us apart from others.
Writers are not immune from the storms of life. Turmoil in the family can easily result from any unexpected event that causes distress. As a writer I find it very hard to focus on the writing task at hand when there is some crisis or problem to be faced in my life, or in the life of someone near and dear to me. Sometimes our priorities need refocusing. Sometimes the needs of others – or our own needs – must take priority over our writing. This can be a hard truth to come to terms with, but face it we must. Facing the problem with bitterness or anger can only lead to regret later. Staring the problem squarely in the face in defiance can strengthen us as people. The strongest trees have been battered by the storms – and have survived.
When the storm abates – and it usually does – get back to the writing with renewed vigour, enthusiasm and resolve. You are now a stronger, wiser person for the experience. Draw on that renewed strength and bring it to your writing.
Good writing.