You don’t really know it, until you can write it down.

Monday, March 1, 2021

A friend of mine once said, “You never really know something until you can write it down.” I didn’t realize the wisdom in those words until I started journaling, about a decade ago. Writing allows you to organize your thoughts, and it allows every thought to have its own, unique space. The mind is often too busy, swirling around, so you never get to appreciate what kind of wisdom you have, until you can articulate it with words – real words on a page.

I knew my friend’s advice about writing was noteworthy, but I thought he was referring to memorized content, like dates, geography, history, etc. But writing helps you discover knowledge that extends beyond just the mental content of facts and figures. Somehow, I think my friend was referring to a higher kind of knowledge, knowledge that comes from wisdom. Taking a feeling, a thought, an observation, a desire, an idea, and transmuting them into a group of words gives form to concept. What you write down gives life to what you know. Many things in our hearts and minds want to be free from the confines of the psyche. Give birth to what’s inside through writing- let it free; discover what you know; discover who you are.

My friend’s advice was a saving grace for me. I’ve been journaling for many years now. It took me a while before I began to feel comfortable sharing with others, though a blog, but his advice saved me from mental despair and hopelessness. His advice gave me an outlet to express myself. So write it down, and you will see how much you really know. Thank you Don, for that great life lesson. I promise that I’ll pass it on, and I’ll continue to use it to help others as much as you’ve helped me.