BY EDISON MARTE SICAD
THE TERM “self-authoring” refers to a writing program or workshop that Dr Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, developed together with two other doctors. Their Self-Authoring Program aims to help people understand more about their past, present, and/or future.
I am using it here in a related manner as to the function of writing: an act of self-discovery and understanding that allows the writer to gain more knowledge of oneself and access to ones’ inner thoughts in a detailed or concrete manner for personal development.
Writing as a form of reflection
To most of us, the act of writing is mostly associated to academic activities: structured, graded, and sometimes, taken for granted. It could also be perfunctory and dull (others may say lifeless): a mundane gesture for compliance purposes; also, it could be data oriented: a clerical work of encoding or recording of facts and figures. In a sense, writing — or typing — for practical (or financial) purposes.
Although writing is also appreciated as an artform, its worth is seldom compensated for its value. To hear the phrase “a struggling writer” is not a cause of concern; neither is the statement “I chose to become a writer.” a cause for celebration.
For writing to be deeply regarded and highly respected, it has to be used in relation to other professions, e.g. lawyers, doctors, and high-ranking government officials. I am tempted to write teachers. But despite their heavy workload of writing, they cannot, unfortunately, be considered of equal rank (based on salary and recognition) when compared to the other professions mentioned.
But it is in classrooms where an individual is taught about the rudiments of writing. And that words, weaved with passion and imagination, can move mountains, can start a movement, can spark a revolution. But that’s it; only a spark that quickly loses its brilliance for lack of power.
In my case, I was able to appreciate the power of writing during my college days in our Rizal Course. At that time, we used the textbook of Zaide. And Zaide used the writings or journal entries of Rizal in expounding the lessons—which were all about Rizal.
And Rizal, despite the language barrier, was able to “unite the Filipinos” mostly because of his writings. Despite the valid criticisms of some nationalists — like Renato Constantino — and the “samu’t-saring” interpretations of Rizal’s works — the recantations and the hagiographies—still, his words immortalized his deeds. For Jose Rizal wrote a lot; he wrote about his own self, his family, his country, his beliefs, his girlfriends, and everything in between. In a way, he authored his past, present, and future to the point that his story became, well, history.
To students
Again, I am addressing this to students: the habit of writing or journaling. Either you type it or write it down. In typing, there is an advantage as to the filing of the notes as well as the convenience as to habits brought by technology. Writing (meaning handwriting) however has this authentic feel and nostalgic atmosphere, especially when you get to read what you have written five or ten years ago. Even the erasures and mistakes have their values.
I have started journaling for more than twenty years now. Upon reading, I get to realized that some plans went awry; some promises were fulfilled; and some ideas forgotten — and some revived. And looking back, almost all my worries — like my concerns 5 years ago — were nothing but manifestations of my immature sensibilities.
Admittedly, my inadequacies were not factual but habitual. So far, the main cause or the only reason of all my problems can be explained in one word: laziness.
All my imagined worries, perceived weakness, repeated failures, urgent concerns, depressing moments, and tragic train of thoughts ad nauseam were due to my laziness.
And writing is not for the lazy ones. As in everything that has significance and worth. For writing, although considered as an artform, is also a discipline of the mind.
But as a start, try spending some time writing your thoughts with no deadlines to kill or requirements to fulfill. Allow your writing as your personal investment to your own growth.
For writing — just like in reading — must not only be curriculum based; it can also be a personal endeavor.
IN CONCLUSION, in today’s trend of social validation for success to be “successful,” scribbling down your thoughts is an effort valued more in privacy — even to the point of sacredness: your own pure words not tainted by any comments or clicks./PN
