THIS MORNING on NPR I heard bits of a radio documentary featuring voices of Florida residents recorded as Hurricane Andrew passed over. That storm was 20 years ago.
Today is a sunny, calm day here, but driving down River Road, I became increasingly terrified by the endless sound of the wind in the background as the snippets of 911 calls rolled on.
The voices captured in those moments were THAT powerful.
All this adds to my strong belief in the importance of keeping a journal in the midst of life’s storms, while they are happening, not waiting until they pass to reflect and capture. It will be your strongest and truest voice.
* * *
MAYBE you’ll never do anything with it.
Maybe you will.
You don’t need to know the answer now.
For now, just write.
Take 5 minutes at the end of each day and write the salient thoughts as well as you can.
You might be the only person with the guts to write about the experience, to face the words, to acknowledge what’s happening and how you feel. Someone needs to give a voice to that. You don’t know why yet. Let it be that way.
* * *
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Why it’s important to capture the SMALL BEANS of life.
I heard that piece, too. And I like your thoughts about journaling through crisis. There have been times I’ve been glad I’ve done it (like with my mom), but other times I’ve been nervous about what I wrote (recent, family stuff). I shall carry on!