Writing As A Divine Encounter with Good Words By Melissa Febos
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 10-15 minutes
“Every single thing I have created worth a damn has been a practice of love, healing, and redemption. I know this process to be divine.” - Melissa Febos
Pause.
Take a couple deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then re-read the quote above. Then gaze at this art by Phoebe Beasley for a few minutes while continuing with a six-count inhale and six-count exhale.
Prompt.
Read the words below from Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for the Writing Life that includes a quote from Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos:
“The act of writing can be a form of contemplative practice, in which the blank page exists as a space for divine encounter. Melissa Febos writes that, for her, art ‘is a form of worship, a medicine, a solitary and a social act.’ She goes on, ‘It is an ancient process through which I draw closer to my ancestors.’ She then describes how writing helps her experience the divine: ‘On the page, I undergo a change of heart, I return to the past and make something new from it, I forgive myself and am freed from old harms, I return to love and am blessed with more than enough to give away. Every single thing I have created worth a damn has been a practice of love, healing, and redemption. I know this process to be divine.’”
Practice.
Take notes or journal for for 10-12 minutes in response to the quotes and art above and the questions below.
—What are some ways that writing is a divine or soulful encounter for you?
—How does writing help you discover more about yourself, others, the world, and/or God?
—How does writing—and your writing life—help you notice things you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t a writer?
Want More?
Read Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos.
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for the Writing Life by Charlotte Donlon.
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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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