Meet Yourself On the Page: Write a Thank You Note to the Shadow

Writing is healing when you dare to meet yourself on the page. All you need to do is find a way to drop your armor and hush the inner critic.

Hmm... easier said than done. But where do you begin?

This week’s invitation for healers, creatives, writers, and would-like-to-be writers: Try writing a thank you note to the shadow.

Something surprising happens when you use the well-known format of a thank you note to dive into the hardest parts of your own story. The framework holds you at first and then it frees you to say what you really need to say.

You can write a thank you letter to a person who hurt you. You’re not thanking them for their abuse, but you might be thanking them for the new ways you were able to grow as you healed.

In this latest Writing & Magic Making video I tell you a little bit about the experience of writing a thank you note to a loved one’s addiction. It was hard and it was necessary and it was the only way I could uncover what I really was feeling.

And be sure to sign up and mark your calendars for the next free community writing practice session that’s happening on Thursday, November 29 at noon ET.

Stand Here by Guest Storyteller Stan Stewart

Dear Fred: I hear that you are using again. I’m not going to judge you for that. I know how difficult it is to keep addiction out of the driver’s seat.

I’m visiting your Dad. He tells me that your emails say that you don’t feel supported by him or the rest of your family. That’s what leads me to share this story with you.

Your Dad and I went for a walk yesterday morning, shared lots of stories from our lives, enjoyed the scenic trails, and had sweet silences. As we neared his place, I pointed out a chalk drawing on the street. He stepped on it without hesitation and said your name in a clear, quiet voice three times: “Frederick. Frederick. Frederick!"

The chalk drawing was a multi-colored sunburst with these words in the middle:

"STAND HERE AND THINK ABOUT SOMEONE YOU LOVE"

Since you were the literal loved-one in this story, I wanted you to know about it. I want to hear from you soon and know that I may not get what I want.

Sending love & blessings, George

Stan Stewart is also known as Muz4Now – with good reason: this multi-talented musician is a sort of “Jack of All Trades” when it comes to providing music for his clients.