I’m not sure why I write. I think it comes from some latent past life impression, and also from my husband’s encouragement to do so.
Over ten years ago, after a divorce, I entered into the realm of journaling. It wasn’t really significant in that I was still afraid of the blank page and fully opening myself up to it. I wanted to turn my life around, and I had to start somewhere. My journal ended up being a thankful journal. Look at the glass as half full, rather than half empty. I’m a firm believer that dwelling on the negative will bring about more negative, and that we create our own world, and our own dramas. It is so easy to get caught up in negativity without even realizing that you are doing it. It often comes into our thoughts under different disguises. Writing something each day I’m thankful for helped to crowd out some of the negative thoughts.
It must have worked. My glass started to overflow. I met my now husband, Chris. Over four years ago, he encouraged me to write something more than just a journal. That led to a writing correspondence course through a local university. Eventually, that led to blogging, and writing some articles for organizations and for newspapers. I’ve never submitted anything to a publisher as of yet, although, I have technically been published. That is really not that important to me.
I ask my self why I write, and why I’ve committed to this postaday2011 on WordPress. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s more or less just a form of self-expression and therapy, along with exploring what is really important. Success to me comes in the form of something on a much deeper and spiritual nature. And, writing helps to explore that.
On some days, I borrow from something I’ve written before. On other days something fresh springs forth. When something profound that might possibly inspire someone else, and my own self to become a slight step better I know that it is coming from something much higher than myself, the all encompassing muse that guides us all when we open up to it.
Once after reading a metaphysical book, which I don’t even remember, the name of, it said that we all have guides, and that to know our guide we should diligently ask whom our specific guide was before going to sleep. In all earnestness I tried this experiment, dozing off to sleep thinking that some wise all knowing figure such as Merlin was assigned to me. I popped straight out of the bed the next morning exclaiming, “George Gobel?” Was this a cosmic joke? After a while I thought perhaps this wasn’t so bad. After all, look what Clarence did for George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I don’t actually know if he is my guardian angel. If he is I hope I haven’t cost him a set of wings.
I do know my husband in this physical realm has been my greatest muse, and I am thankful for that.
J. Schlenker 
Like you, I see writing as my form of self-therapy. Although I signed up for Post A Week, not Post A Day, I find myself blogging almost everyday. I sometimes stop in the middle of writing a post, or in the middle of customizing my blog’s theme, etc., to ask myself why I spend so much time on something I’m not getting paid to do. The answer is that I find joy in doing it; it’s a stress-reliever for me. Also, like you, my husband is my muse. He’s been encouraging me to try to get myself published.
Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting on a couple of my poems! 🙂