Sunday 16 June 2019

Writing Can Be Pervasive

I'm a firm believer in the power of the written word.  It’s a form of “putting it out there” to the Universe.

“The pen is mightier than the sword”.........at least so says English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839But this is the twenty-first century – not the nineteenth, and times have radically changed. Today most people’s writing involves emails, text messages, Facebook, Twitter 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.

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  
New Zealand chairs in the wilderness at Seal Cove on the South Island.
What a beautiful spot to read a book or do some writing!

14 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I agree! Write on!

Christine said...

writing is still powerful, may take different forms, e books what have you.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I appreciate the internet for bringing people like us together from around the world but I'm still old school and really do miss letter writing. I still prefer books and magazines and will never be a digital reader. I don't feel the need to be connected 24/7 and really feel sorry for kids who only know a digital life. When my boys had to open bank accounts in the states, they didn't even have a real signature. I was taught that kind of stuff in high school.

miruspeg said...

Hey Debra
Yes once we have developed the habit of writing (in our case blogging) it can open up all new ideas and skills.
Take care
Peggy xxx

miruspeg said...

Hi Christine
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.
All the best always
Peggy xxx

miruspeg said...

Hey Tammy
Thanks for adding to the conversation and I agree with you 100%.
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 Facebook message or texts, and I'm just as guilty.
Take care dear friend
Peggy xxx

Mike Smith said...

I think every article you write has a powerful result, Peggy! Brilliant as always.

miruspeg said...

My dear friend Mike, you make me blush with your kind words.
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.
Be well my friend.
Hugs
Peggy xxx

Marja said...

Great pondering. I am pretty sure that writing is all powerful I still know a lot of people who love to read and the libraries here are well visited. I love books and of as you know poetry For me there is nothing better. When I retire this will get a bigger space in my life. Social media is very fleeting and superficial. Arohanui xx marja

miruspeg said...

Thanks Marja.
I do believe writing is very powerful. Words can linger in our head. They can make our day or ruin it. I think the written word has more power because paper is patient. The words we hear easily flutter away. At least for me the written word stays longer.
Happy to hear that your poetry will have a bigger space in your life in later years......you know how much I love your poetry my friend.
Big heart hugs.
Peggy xxx

Bill Lisleman said...

Thanks, I have not heard that Neil Young song before.
Handwritten notes, letters are special. I consider them more personal, so for a broader reach the electronic technology has benefits. I don't think we would have progressed (assuming you agree that we have progressed) very far if the printing press was not invented.
"...let words marinate" - yes I also do that for blog posts and even some letters. The delete/copy/paste functions are great for creating a better sentence.

miruspeg said...

I always look forward to reading your comments Bill!
I hadn't heard of the Neil Young song either until I went searching for a suitable song to add to this post.

I love electronic technology especially the delete/copy/paste functions and I wish the younger generation would write/read longer articles. Their attention span I've read, is shorter than a goldfish, which is 9 seconds.

Long live the written word in whatever format!

All the best
Peggy xxxx

Good and plenty said...

Writing is important whether it is a deliciously long article, well-written book of poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, an illuminating memoir or short bursts of brilliance in letters to the editor and tweets. Social media, in particularly today has driven a lot of good people (and not so good people) to take action. I'm trying to adapt.

miruspeg said...

Hey Candelaria
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation.
You have summed up writing brilliantly my friend.

I feel we are blessed to have known the world before the internet and social media. We weren't interrupted by smart phones, it was a much slower world.

In the 21st century we have gained speed of communication, but at what cost.
I don’t know any families that are actually closer as a result of email or social media.

As you said, we are all trying to adapt.
Take care
Peggy xxxxx