Why is it so hard to write? Because there is an enemy.
Developing a Rhythm and Practice of Writing - Part 4
I have discovered three reasons why writing has not been a consistent practice for me. In this post, I will cover the third reason.
- Because it is hard
- Because I am insecure
- Because there is an enemy
WE DON’T WRITE BECAUSE THERE IS AN ENEMY.
Steven Pressfield in his must-read book for any creator, “The War of Art”, names this enemy the “resistance”. If you have not read it yet, stop reading this and go read that book.
Steven Pressfied reminds us how “Creative work is… a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”
For me, creating is our ultimate contribution. It can be a powerful expression of love because it requires sacrifice, service, and suffering. However, we can also create apathy, fear and hate as well. We can create the status quo. That’s what the enemy, the resistance, wants.
Writing is creating.
The resistance wants us to not try. It convinces us that writing is unimportant, self-serving and non-essential when we know it’s very important, in service to others and essential to our life and work. The resistance soothes us with coping mechanisms and distractions. It lulls us to stay asleep and we become complicit in enabling the slumber of the world.
We must resist the resistance. So let’s keep writing friends, and make our contribution as a gift to the world.
“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”โ
—โGeorge Orwell
This entry is for Month-long writing challenge for our The Beautiful Future Members. Every weekday, we write and share with one another to build and strengthen our practice of writing.