{"id":13831,"date":"2013-05-07T14:16:32","date_gmt":"2013-05-07T22:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=13831"},"modified":"2013-05-08T21:31:11","modified_gmt":"2013-05-09T05:31:11","slug":"how-loss-and-love-can-lead-to-creative-persistence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-loss-and-love-can-lead-to-creative-persistence\/","title":{"rendered":"How Loss and Love Can Lead to Creative Persistence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Life has not been easy for me. \u00a0I was the child victim of a religious cult, my family was poor, and as an adult, I lost my firstborn daughter to Turner’s Syndrome at birth. \u00a0More recently, I suffered through a divorce due to my former spouse’s extreme difficulties with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. \u00a0You could say I’ve been through the ringer.<\/p>\n

Yet, if not for these mishaps and hardships, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. \u00a0I wouldn’t have the same stories to tell: stories that can help to heal others who have been through similar circumstances. \u00a0I wouldn’t have the same heartfelt desire to keep pushing to get those stories heard.<\/p>\n

Creativity and persistence are good bedfellows. \u00a0I’ve been creative my entire life. \u00a0I’ve written poetry, songs, and stories for as long as I can remember. \u00a0But it’s only been since 2001 that my writing has taken on the depth that makes it unique. \u00a0In 2001, I lost my firstborn daughter, “Angel Hope.” \u00a0I dealt with that loss by writing a dozen or more heartfelt songs<\/a> that helped me to cope with such a tragic life event.<\/p>\n

More recently, in 2010, I lost my father to cancer. \u00a0That loss triggered a desire to write about my childhood experience as the victim of an extreme religious cult. \u00a0I’d tried to write the story twice before, once in 1998, and again in 2002. \u00a0Nothing clicked. \u00a0My early versions felt stale and uninteresting. \u00a0So I gave up both times. \u00a0But in 2011, I started a blog and wrote an entire book,\u00a0A Train Called Forgiveness<\/a><\/em>, on my blog. \u00a0Later, I used Create Space<\/a> to publish the paperback version of the book.<\/p>\n

Loss has taught me a lot about writing, especially the loss of two of the most important people in my life, my first daughter and my father. \u00a0Here’s what I’ve learned about loss and love and creativity and persistence:<\/p>\n

1. Loss is not the end: \u00a0<\/strong>Losing a child, sibling, or spouse, is not the end. \u00a0It might feel that way at the moment. \u00a0In fact, it feels like your whole world stops turning for awhile. \u00a0But even though the person you loved has passed on, their memory will always live on. \u00a0As hard as it may be, loss is a new beginning. \u00a0Coping with loss through writing is the start of a healing journy that has the potential to impact yourself and others in a positive manner.<\/p>\n

When I wrote songs for my stillborn infant daughter, Angel Hope, it helped to express my deep hurt, my anger with God, my confusion, my pain. \u00a0By writing songs about her I was recognizing her as a unique individual. \u00a0I was also recognizing the thousands of couples who lose children to birth defects each year. \u00a0And I was producing new creative material, practicing my art. \u00a0I persisted in writing songs about Angel Hope for years to come. \u00a0The last song I wrote for her was as recent as 2011.<\/p>\n

2. Love is an expression:<\/strong>\u00a0We express love in many ways: through deeds, touch, and words, to name a few. \u00a0Words have special significance in that they can be timeless. \u00a0After the loss of my Father, I knew that one way to celebrate his life was to share his spiritual journey as part of my own account. \u00a0You see, dad grew spiritually after leaving the cult. \u00a0I’d long forgiven him, and there is a healing wisdom in that process. \u00a0Sharing that wisdom can benefit many others who have suffered similar fates. \u00a0Writing the story was an act of love for my father and his legacy. \u00a0At the same time, I am recording my history for my second, living daughter, eight-year old Annie. \u00a0Through the series of books I’m writing, she’ll be able to read about my past when she is older.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Creativity and persistence go hand in hand with loss:\u00a0<\/strong>Writing about life’s hardships and mishaps is a tough job, but it creates real stories and strong character. \u00a0I’ve always been creative, but the losses I suffered taught me to use that creativity persistently. \u00a0Many of us are blessed with creative minds. \u00a0Some are able to persist in using our creativity to share stories that can heal others and even change the world. \u00a0But everyone actually has the power to do this. \u00a0It’s really not as hard as you might think. \u00a0Here’s the key:<\/p>\n

Simply write a little bit each day. \u00a0Whether you’ve lost a loved one or suffered an abusive or addictive past, you can share your story. \u00a0Even if you only write a paragraph or a verse each day, it’s a start. \u00a0Daily writing will help you to deal with your pain and you will improve as a writer, too. \u00a0In time, you’ll be ready to share your words. \u00a0But don’t stop there. \u00a0Rewrite your story from a fresh perspective. \u00a0Each year that passes changes the perspective of our past. \u00a0Share your writing with family and friends. \u00a0You may want to submit your writing to blogs or even try self- publishing a book.<\/p>\n

Your experiences are important. \u00a0Your story is unique. \u00a0Sharing that story gives you power, courage, and hope. \u00a0Sharing your story can also help to heal those who have been on parallel journeys. \u00a0I encourage you to write about your losses and your love.<\/p>\n

Blessings.<\/p>\n

– dan erickson<\/p>\n

Dan Erickson is a writer, songwriter, and musician. \u00a0He blogs about writing and writing as therapy. \u00a0He is the author of two books: “A Train Called Forgiveness,” and “At the Crossing of Justice and Mercy.” His poetry is meditative and reflective and his songs, Americana. \u00a0He teaches communication courses at a college in the Pacific Northwest. \u00a0He’s a single dad to eight-year old, Annie. \u00a0Learn more about Dan Erickson\u2019s work at http:\/\/www.danerickson.net.<\/a>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Your experiences are important. Your story is unique. Sharing that story gives you power, courage, and hope. Sharing your story can also help to heal those who have been on parallel journeys. I encourage you to write about your losses and your love. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":13857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[2162],"tags":[4650,1988,103,702,2206,4629,4636],"yoast_head":"\nHow Loss and Love Can Lead to Creative Persistence - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your experiences are important. Your story is unique. Sharing that story gives you power, courage, and hope. 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