Writing in the Midst of Crisis

A Surprising Alternative Perspective on the Hell of 2019

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to a multi-faith service at the Unity Center of New York. From the minute I walked in, I felt at home. Everyone was so friendly, and the service was incredibly diverse. But what struck me more than anything was the sermon. I know everyone says this but it felt like the Reverend Brit Hall was speaking to me directly! Incredibly, yesterday was Reverend Hall’s first day back after a major surgery. His sermon was about the “emotional tornado’s” that showed up in his mind while recovering. He recounted the shock that he felt when he realized that his recovery wouldn’t just be a physical one, but that it would also be a healing of body-mind-soul. Ultimately, during this period he learned that any suffering he felt would be because of the meaning he assigned to the things/experiences/people around him.

This morning my first thought was, “wow, 2019 has been hell.” My recovery from hip-replacement surgery has been significantly more painful than I anticipated. A few weeks later I then had an emergency blood transfusion and another hospital admission. On top of that I’ve recently encountered a significant personal setback that is causing me to doubt a number of things in my life.

What Pain Has Taught Me About Writing

But the reason I am writing in the midst of all of this, is because it occurs to me that perhaps there is something to be gained in the midst of this crisis.

When I was sitting in the hospital during my most recent admission, I thought to myself… “you know Alex, all of this physical pain should give you a different perspective about your academic writing. Why are you so afraid of being rejected by editors and your intellectual peers? After all, during these last two months you’ve experienced genuine suffering, crisis and pain. Doesn’t that make your fear of writing rejection seem a bit small? Why not use this moment to become fearless in your writing and academic work?”

Rejection as Proof that I Can Be Fearless in My Writing

At the beginning of the year I saw a IG author with a sheet of 100 empty stars. At the top of the sheet was the title, “REJECTIONS.” Their goal was to rack up 100 writing rejections in a effort to 1) take away their fear of rejection, and 2) force themselves to push out as much writing as possible.

I want to do something similar when it comes to my creative work this year. Similar to Reverend Hall’s sermon, I want to stop labeling writing rejection as this painful, hellish thing. Instead, I want it to be proof of the effort I am putting forth in my writing. It will be evidence that I am fearlessly presenting my ideas to the world. It will show to myself and others that I am practicing and refining my craft like the professional writer that I am. My goal is to develop healing creativity in the midst of any crisis.

peace.

a