"IF YOUR HEART AIN'T IN IT"

                             

                                                             Why Write?

How many of you are familiar with the oldie but goodie R & B classic “If Your Heart Isn’t In it” by Atlantic Star? “You treat me like a stranger as if I wasn’t there…” I love this song, but I hate how it applies to today’s show. If Your Heart Ain’t In It, Why Write.

Indeed, writing is one of the deepest passions, one can possess.

Dedication, Perseverance, Persistence, and Determination are all key elements when it comes to everything we do in life. No matter what profession it pertains to, if you don’t possess these crucial components, especially as a writer, then why write?

A few shows back I gave a detailed message as to why I write. I’m driven by a passionate nature in everything I do, this includes writing.

Writing is part of me, just as much as the limbs attached to my body are. The heart that beats inside my chest and my lungs that inhale and exhale the life-sustaining air I breathe. It doesn’t get more serious than this folks.

The passion that I have for writing is an intricate part of who I am as a person. It has a lot to do with character, personally, the quintessential need to be creative.

Most people are inspired to do something, no matter what it is, and have a level of dedication to whatever their creative pursuits lead them. Perhaps you’ve lost your fire because you became a writer for all the wrong reasons. Maybe you thought this was a good way to make money or make a name for yourself. Both of these reasons are plausible and I’m sure many had the same idea.

In reality, the need to make money is what drives the majority of individuals because we all need an income to pay the bills and survive. I understand the necessity of this.

However, the pursuit of dreams is equally as important because if you don’t there might be some regret.

How many people have looked back over their lives and said “wish I hadn’t given up on my dreams, otherwise….” and we all know what how this sentence ends.   

Writers are unique people, because of our dogmatic nature when it comes to our careers. I don’t understand the negativity of some people when we share with them what we do. How is this any different from being a doctor, or an educator? There is no difference, and for those individuals who think we are pursuing a pipedream, they couldn’t be further from the truth.

As professionals, we shouldn’t think or feel that our careers or no less important or worthwhile deserving of recognition for what we contribute to the world as writers. When we start to second-guess our decision, promote our talent, or even lose faith because of negativity, this means your heart isn’t in total agreement with what you do.  

I love the Disney Theme Music, that always began the show, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are” this says so much.

Unrealistic, no way. If we don’t pursue our dreams then we are shortchanging ourselves.

I understand being a writer isn’t always easy, but each career path comes with challenges. Life is a challenge; no one said it would be easy. Anything worth fighting for is worth having, do you agree?

As human beings, we face daily challenges and setbacks, but it doesn’t keep us from pushing through and moving forward.

You must have a heart for writing, a necessity because there are no guarantees in this profession. No more than there are in others.

Writers are special individuals because we take on the task of entertaining minds through words. What we say can be mind changing, preferably in a positive way. We possess the ability to make people laugh cry feel as though they can do anything, and be anyone they desire to be.

We help people to believe that there is some good in everyone and hope in humanity. Through writing, we open doors to the imagination, discuss issues that are political and prevalent in today’s society.

Nevertheless, if you have lost your desire to be expressive, because of lack of passion, inspiration, or delusion, then you shouldn’t do it.

If your heart isn’t in it anymore, give it up. It’s just that simple.

Lackadaisical attitudes are dream killers for those who are just starting out in this business, newbie’s and unsullied by negativity in the industry of writing, This is not what we want to do to someone who is highly inspired and have dreams of becoming the next best writer.

Yes, there is a heavy dose of realism when it comes to any career path, but not dream killing.  This should carry the equivalence of being a sin in my opinion.

Who are we to discourage anyone based on our dissatisfaction for whatever reason? This is why I implore those who have lost their fire for the art to bow out gracefully. If your dreams are spiraling down in flames of disappointment don’t take others with you.

If your heart isn’t in it anymore, I implore you once again to find a muse, anything to stimulate the desire once again to be creative. The gift still resides inside of you, it simply has become immobile, or stagnated because maybe your career didn’t take off like a bottle rocket, and didn’t land you at the top of a best sellers list.

For whatever reason, that fire is only banked but not fully out.

Our mission should be to inspire, promote, and uplift everyone who shares our dreams, believe me, what we say is therapeutic. Not only for others but us also, because Imagination is a wonderful gift that allows us to escape the regiments of life.

We all need this, it allows our body, and brain to opt out for however long is necessary to cope with the realities we face each day.

This is a plus, we all need some form of positive release, all the more important and vital to share with others.

If our hearts aren’t a willing participant in this process, we must pass the diminishing torch on to someone else who is determined not to allow the flames of hope to be extinguished.

If Your Heart Isn’t fully involved as much as it used to be, don’t lose faith and think that perhaps you made a mistake when you decided to become a writer. For whatever reason, you feel as though this career path is over, don’t check out just yet.

Give yourself some time to relate, relax, and release before you toss your pens and paper in the trash.

Maybe, you’re in a writing slump and can’t come up with anything you feel is useful or tell a story that hasn’t already been told.

Believe me, everything around us is ever changing and therefore useful tools for you to pull from. The imagination is a powerful and resourceful instrument.

Make no mistake about it, writing is a precious gift that comes from God, what we do with the talent is a gift back to Him.