“The pen is mightier than
the sword”.........at
least so says English author
Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839. But this is the
twenty-first century – not the nineteenth, and times have radically changed.
Today most people’s writing involves e-mails, text messages, twittering, Facebook and
the like; lots of touching base but little true writing.
So in these days we
might ask afresh, Is the pen still mightier than the sword? Should the written word still be considered a
powerful weapon in the modern culture in which we live?
The effort of putting pen to paper (metaphorically speaking) is
considerable. Every article we write may not have a powerful result, but it could!
It can be pervasive.
It can permeates lives, penetrating where spoken words would be shut out.
One of the reasons for this is that there is an implied acceptance when we choose to pick up something to read. In essence, we have given it the right to speak into our lives.
It can permeates lives, penetrating where spoken words would be shut out.
One of the reasons for this is that there is an implied acceptance when we choose to pick up something to read. In essence, we have given it the right to speak into our lives.
Because of this, an article can often penetrate
a resistant heart, for just the action of choosing to read it opens the door to
the truth it contains.
The pervasive power of writing also comes from
the fact that, since written words easily endure, they often make it to places
we would never dream.
So let the writing begin!
“A drop of ink may make a million think.”
~~George Gordon Byron
~~George Gordon Byron
I found this fabulous picture on Pinterest.......my latest addiction!
15 comments:
I so agree Peggy. And that was a very inspirational post.
I guess in these times Facebook, Twitter etc have encouraged people people to keep communication brief. I find it hard to use Twitter because I am usually too verbose. I think the internet lends itself to brevity moreso but not necessarily 160 characters. I tell you what though I find it incredibly difficult to hand write anything these days. I really think we are going to lose the ability unless we practice putting pen to paper more often. I am so used to typing everything that I rarely pick up a pen. It is scary how you lose the ability to running write even. My handwriting looks so untidy. I need to get some more practice and write old fashioned letters rather than emails. And yes, get some writing under my belt as well!
Wow that picture is amazing. How very clever. My niece tells me how great Pinterest is too but I just do not seem to get the time or make the time perhaps.
This IS a fabulous photo that goes so well with your post! The written word indeed leaves so much to the imagination, beyond what a mere photo might portray.
I just had a conversation recently with our Middle School Principal who is very gung ho about moving forward with technology. I told him that I was afraid the actual act of handwriting would be lost on this new generation ... he didn't seem to think that was a bad thing, but I so disagree. I still so love to receive something handwritten. I guess one day it will be ancient history. Hope all is well with you. Best wishes, Tammy
I'm certainly hoping the written word will be powerful when my book comes out in August...(I know, that's a shameless plug!) Hope you are well, my friend.
Well from one Peggy to another I think you are so wise. I think we sometimes hit "middle age" and finally realize what is really going on. That is why I love blogging. I print a book every 6 months for my children to have instead of hand writing a diary. Well it will be easier for them to read later on. I have also begun brushing upon my calligraphy and using it to send notes. Everyone has a fit over that. I even taught my Sr. grand daughter to do it. Namaste
QMM
I think that words and writing are hardwired into human beings. So words will always be powerful whatever form they take. I was struck the other day by a rap artist on the Graham Norton show (a UK chat show). Her name is Nicki Minaj. She has a large following of teenage fans and one of the things she does is to have her own language - she plays with words and the meanings of words. The fans all know the meanings so it is like a 'secret' and very cool language. An example 'Waffle House' is a 'misguided old wrinkle'. She tweets these words and meanings to her fans - and they love it. Words will never be dead - but they are always changing form. If Shakespeare were alive he would probably be on Twitter with a large and hip following!
You're a woman to my heart!
I love the photograph.... words can comfort, even at times if the words are brief.
I remember as a child waiting for the mail to arrive and hoping there would be something in the box for me. When a few friends moved away, we would write each other faithfully. I still have some of the letters!
Hopefully, technology won't take away the written word.... But I believe it already has to a large degree. How many letters and cards do we receive today? Now it's a FB message, and I'm just as guilty.
You're posts always get me thinking. Thanks!
Hugs,
Peggy, so sorry to hear you are on an extended blog break, will miss your posts. All the best for now!
The photo from Pinterest so captures how I feel about books. They are companions and sustenance in my life. Our words have such power and I think written words are incredibly powerful because we can revisit them. Putting words, ideas, thoughts, gossip down on paper makes them real for some people. The blessing and curse of technology is that we can put words down as quickly as we think them and put them on their way before we rethink them. I've had to learn to let words marinate, even for blog posts - not just to catch mistakes but also to make sure I'm saying what I mean and meaning what I say.
thanks, as always, for your wisdom.
A second thought - I love handwriting, the discipline of it, the actual tactile feel of it. I collect postcards and cards whenever I go to boutiques, museum shops and dollar stores (:-). I have been sending my mom, children and a few friends quick post cards from time-to-time. A few years ago, I handwrote a series of love letter to my friends telling them how much I admired them (I blogged about it on my personal blog and blogher.com.) I know that people were touched not only because of the gesture but because it was in my personal script and the words wouldn't have had the same impact had they been typed. Make time to handwrite to folks you love every now and then. It does make a difference. It's like any other discipline that requires time - you just have to decide to do it and you'll find the time.
I agree with Stoneweaver Shakespeare would so be using twitter and probably facebook too.
I believe that these days the pen is stronger than the sword. The Internet is allowing anyone's words to be published and read by a potentially massive audience instantly. But the tool of choice is a keyboard not a pen. So something hand written and hand made has a new respect and value.
Yes we choose what we read, but we don't always choose how we will react to that writing because words can touch us, as is illustrated in that awesome picture.
Wonderful post Peggy X
I agree writing can be pervasive and powerful. But it's just one form of communication. Music, film and other art all communicate. People tend to take the easy route so short texts, acronyms and pictures will probably increase. I believe all the great speeches were written first. I hope we don't lose the oral storytelling which I believe has declined since TV.
On a slightly different subject - your music selection and my I-tunes library matches very well.
I do so believe that the pen is mightier than the sword. Words can linger in your head. They can make your day or ruin it. I think the written word has more power because paper is patient. The words you hear easily flutter away. At least for me and the written word stays longer. But than again I am a visual person.
I notice that you haven't been blogging Hope all is well. I just returned with new inspiration after a great holiday
So true! And, I love the way that blogs provide us an audience of like minded friends.
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