Written by: Dale Darley, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Over the last weeks, I have been dealing with pain that has put me in a place of daily discomfort. As a result, I've found myself not wanting to do much. Add to that the heat of the summer, and yeah, just let me lie on the sofa.
Although I am a great self-care fan, the sofa is not where I will find the answer. Luckily, I have discovered the root, and I am dealing with it. This story around the pain is part of the memoir that I'm currently writing. I find writing immensely healing. Whether that is in my journal, blog, or book, I believe that stories are the backbone of humanity. It's where and how we connect.
Many brave people (men and women) have stories that could help another person know hope. Okay, not all of them will want to write. Not all of them will feel like they want to inspire anyone as they battle with pain, confusion, and overwhelm. But some will want to share their stories, knowledge, and wisdom so that those receiving diagnoses have a source of wisdom and a reference point.
The case for writing books will never end. As humans, we make meaning from words. We connect emotionally with stories. You never know where your book will end up and whose heart it will touch.
Yeah, okay, it takes a lot of work and to write the right book. That's because it is such a valuable asset. Not just for you, but for the library that we are creating.
Humanity needs words. We need help to find meaning.
When I work with my clients, I often hear, 'wow, this book is not how I thought writing a book would be. It has gone deeper than I could have ever imagined.'
That's because writing reaches into the depths of your soul and a place of inner wisdom you have because of your life's journey and work.
Why 'should' you write when you are disillusioned about life?
You have experiences that need to be shared. The wisdom that could help someone else's life, sanity, and healing.
It seems to me that no matter who we are, we have many amazing experiences to share. When life touches us in places we didn't expect, we wake to who we are. When I meet and work with women like me, I am often deeply moved by what they have lived through and how they have come to be. Their stories are incredible. They are about change, transformation, and growth. There is a lot to learn from people who have been through some not-so-pleasant experiences.
Why now?
So much is changing around us. I hardly recognize the world anymore.
But…
We are waking up. Taking ownership of our hearts, minds, bodies, and soul. Eating better food and finding ways to nourish ourselves with essential nutrients to undertake our life's work. Simply, other people need to be inspired by our stories.
What are the nine powerful reasons you 'should' write a book?
1 – Writing a book will change you.
Are you prepared for the change that writing a book will bring you? You may think that you will be writing out your experiences and offering advice and observations. I'd ask you to think again.
Nothing can prepare you for the profound shift you will go through, so pull up your big girl pants and get ready for the ride. You may think you know your story and the wisdom you have come to share. However, planning and then putting pen to paper will change you as you allow all of you to rise.
You won't be living in the past and going back to your dark place and reliving it. Instead, you will be writing from the inside out but from another perspective. You will be in it yet not in it. As you do the inside work, you can then stand on the outside and see yourself with more clarity and a better perspective.
I warn you, writing a book is going to test you in ways you will have never considered. Then, just when you thought it was time to slow down, more opportunities for personal growth appear.
Never doubt that you are good enough to write a book or think that no one wants to hear your story. Have faith and trust. They will.
2 – Others see you differently.
We can never truly know what goes on in another's life. We read comments in Facebook groups and share them on personal pages. Nothing will prepare others for the story you share. These daily snippets do not tell the whole story – they are moments in time. Others cannot be in your body to know what life is like for you when you are in the midst of your worst times.
When you bare your heart and soul, you will feel vulnerable. This is exposing to others the bones of who you are. They will love it, and if they don't, then they are not your people.
When my spine fractured, I was angry, not raging, more of a fed-up angry. I stared at the sky and asked why? And then, I could see that no matter what my outcome is, others would want to see what is possible for them. From experience, I know that others will see you in a new light when stories are shared—the light of understanding.
This is a perfect time to dare to be, to heal, be vulnerable, dig out your courage and dare to inspire.
3 – Writing creates a connection between the dots of values, vision, and core message.
Do you have a core message? Do you live your life by your values? What is your vision?
Before embarking on writing a book, you need to know your values, passion, purpose, vision, and core message for your book. Sometimes we lose sight of these or become disconnected from them. When you consider why you want to write a book, become reacquainted with them and join the dots. You will write a better book.
When you are writing, actually putting pen to paper or fingers on the keyboard, you will need to know what the core message of your book is. You do this at the planning stage, so you can tap into that when you write each chapter. Then when you are ready to market your book, you can build your marketing messages from these words and concepts.
You will do this based on your values, and this will make that vital connection to the heartbeat of another.
4 – It's no longer just about knowledge and skills. It's about knowing, wisdom, and shared experiences.
Data is good. Information is incredible. Knowledge is powerful. Wisdom is a force you cannot reckon with.
Experiences carry a stronger vibration than just facts. When you share your experiences, others connect emotionally and make meaning. You are now a person of influence, which brings great responsibility. You can now create a lasting impact on others' lives and conscious choices.
As you write, you develop a more profound sense of knowing and a depth of wisdom about who you are, your identity and your place in the planet's history waking up.
5 – Writing a book will enable you to understand and examine who you are.
We talked about values, now ask what do you stand for? Are you a champion or a leader for something? Do you want to change the world or at least some part of it? Do you want to empower others? What?
You do not have to paint your face, make up a placard, and march for your rights, but you might want to. I have. I used to march against animal cruelty. Writing your book will awaken a calling. When I work with my clients, I am often amazed at what else comes out of the book planning and writing process. These people are incredible humans who will make a difference.
This process wakes them up to what is possible for them to create.
The process may tear you apart (not in a horrible way) and ask you to examine who you are.
What I do is create a space for you through writing to be heard. Really listened to. Listening to your heart and soul and letting you know that I hear you.
I hear you, and my desire is that the other ears that are meant to hear your inspirational message hear you. Just imagine if someone reading your book gets as much out of it as you do writing it.
When you share your story, you will connect emotionally and spiritually with your readers in a way that goes beyond traditional marketing.
When you pour the pure beauty of you into a book, you will examine what you stand for, and you will do something to inspire others.
Will you write a book and share your story?
It is quite a big step, this writing about yourself stuff which you may not find easy. You will be baring your soul and maybe opening yourself up to judgment. Well, I say sod what others think of you. What they think is none of your business. Your job is to stand tall and tell your truth. And there is a way to tell your truth that keeps you inside the law, so don't worry about that.
Please take your life's experiences, stories, inner wisdom, knowledge, and skills that have supported your life changes and use them to inspire others. All stories have their place.
Don't waste your life lessons. Don't hide behind your disillusionment. We came to Earth to learn and to use those lessons to change the world. If this means that you feel vulnerable, so be it – you have a valuable and inspirational message to share.
We are here to live, laugh and love, be love, and to do that, we need the courage and confidence to stand up loud and proud of who we are. I have your back, so does the Universe and your God.
Your mission…
Is to write a book, are you up for it?
If writing a healing book is on your mind, call me for an informal chat. Let's see how we can bring your ideas and wisdom to life.
For more information, please visit my website.
Dale Darley, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dale works with her clients to help them to discover the magic in their stories through the power of writing, journaling, and energy work. Dale is an expert at getting your story out, finding the essence of who you are, what you want to become, and supporting you to get what you want through coaching and programs. She believes that writing heals, and her vision and mission is to create a community of people who find clarity, purpose, and meaning through their writing. That these people go on to inspire others to know what is possible in the world. Dale holds an MBA from The University of Glamorgan and an ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching certificate. She served in senior marketing management roles in the IT and manufacturing sectors before working for herself.
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