The Cause Bearers

Writing is more than putting words on the page, it is inspiration for the soul. This article encourages readers to both practice their craft (even before it LOOKS like a craft!) and reach out to others who have lost their voice.

Feeling disgruntled and ornery, I crumpled as I sat in a chair amidst several rows of empty chairs at our local Barnes and Noble. I had been too late to participate in the once-a-month Open Mic night. With hunched shoulders and a brooding facial expression, I quickly became disappointment personified.

I looked up briefly and noticed Morgan, the Barnes and Noble employee who hosts Open Mic. I greeted her with as sad a voice as I could muster, “I missed it. I was late and I missed it.”

Morgan returned my expression with a moderately pained look. With her translucent skin and almost-jet-black hair, she has a sort of Goth-meets-girl-next-door look.

“Yeah, there were only about 10 people here. At 7:00 there was NO ONE here.” She explained.

I slumped back down, my countenance speaking with a loud ‘harumph’.

Morgan continued standing still, as if she was waiting for something.

I looked back towards her, realizing if nothing else, at least I could use this moment to get to know her a little bit. “Do you write poetry?” I inquired.

“No, not for about a year.” She paused. “Just haven’t had anything to say lately.”

My slumping evaporated. “Do you do any free writing? You know, like Julia Cameron or Natalie Goldberg suggest?” Her expression was blank so I kept talking, “A particular style of journaling?”

“Oh….yeah” she finally spoke, “I used to journal but then I stopped. I didn’t know what to do with any of it so I just…..” Her voice trailed off, dangling into an empty oblivion just as her writing had left nothing in its wake except empty pages.

I paused momentarily before asking “Do you want to write, I mean, really write?” I sounded as zealous as a Christian Evangelist asking, “Do you want to know your saviour?”

Quietly, Morgan responded without hesitation. “Yes. I do.”

With my new cause under girding me, Standing up I said, “If you really want to write, nothing is more effective than free writing every day as a practice. That means no editing, no crossing out, no thinking just writing writing writing….”

“But the critic……….” spoke Morgan briefly.

I catapulted past her objection by saying, “You choose to give the critic power. You can choose to not give the critic power. Take your power for yourself and put it into your pencil. Would you like me to find “Writing Down the Bones” for you?”

She welcomed my gesture. Several minutes later, I paged her to the customer service desk. As I handed her a copy of “Writing Down the Bones“ I explained to her, ”I cried when I finished this book. Then I re-read parts and ended up giving it away to a writer I had just met. Start this book as soon as you can, read it slowly, really chew on it…… and free write, fill a notebook a month without worrying what you will use it for… just WRITE!.... and next month, I WILL ask how you are doing.”

Morgan took the book and put a “RESERVE” note on it for herself. She turned and with a porcelain and steely determination said, “I will start tonight.”

Oh the sweet satisfaction of sharing my cause.

For if Morgan discovers for herself the freedom in written or artistic expression of any sort, I will have made a difference in the world.

In a certain way, we are ALL Cause Bearers.

Today you will cross paths with someone who is longing for someone to reach into their lives to inspire them. Someone is ready for you to make a difference in their lives. They are not asking you to do it for them, they are asking you to see the light in them and reflect it back.

The next time you are feeling ornery or disappointed, stay alert to who is around you.

Chances are someone is right there waiting to bring YOU out of your doldrums so that YOU can hold the mirror so that they can reflect their own light right back to themselves.

About the Author

Julie Jordan Scott is an Author, Speaker, Coach and Radio Host. Thousands benefit from her wisdom filled daily messages and you can too by visiting http://www.5passions.com" target="_blank">http://www.5passions.com now for abundant resources for your success.

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