The date said November 16th, but the sunlight outside my window told a different story. Warm temperatures brought a vibrant energy into the day, illuminating the backyard in a golden glow. The leaves danced in the breeze as my son and I set out for an adventure. This adventure, however, wasn’t a traveling one. You could say it was more stationery. Our goal was to dive into our creative thoughts through writing.
If you enjoy writing like I do, you start to feel the urge when you’ve waited a little too long. Each day you’re living, story after story is being written. For me, I want to capture those moments and digest them in a way that feels meaningful. I’m not a mindless creature simply getting through the day. I’m wonderfully complex, and the things I do and say matter. In fact, they can be life-altering – not only for myself but for others. This day isn’t just another day. It’s my day. It’s a gift, and what I choose to do with it is powerful.
The writing my son and I did that day wasn’t always through words. Sometimes the most powerful communication doesn’t use language at all. Instead, it’s expressed through lines and shapes on a page. The scribble, the dot, the shade—each communicates a message, a beautiful mosaic of language and emotion. My son began to draw an image only he could see at first. I began to write a story only I had within me. And when we finished, we became connected through our chosen mediums. His drawing allowed me to step into his world through sight. My writing allowed him to enter mine through listening. Both stirred emotions. Both made us feel. Both sparked deeper conversation. In that moment, I was saying to him, “I see you. I get you.”
Not all communication is verbal, is it? It can be verbal (spoken or signed), nonverbal (body language, facial expressions, and tone), written (text and symbols), or visual (images and graphics). We communicate in countless ways every second of the day. But what matters most is how we choose to express ourselves. Each time you share with others, you get to decide the form it takes. It may not always feel like a choice – especially in tense or chaotic moments – but it always is.
What helps me is reflecting on my past self and the experiences I’ve had. I like to analyze both the situation and the outcome. I want to see the story from the viewpoint of an observer and ask the difficult questions: What could I have done differently? What did I do well? By looking back, you challenge the outcome and train yourself to see new possibilities. That prepares you for the next time a similar situation arises.
Today the earth sang. The leaves created a gentle hum and the sunlight washed over us. My son taught me that our writing sessions shouldn’t be confined by rules, but fueled by creativity and curiosity.
Not wanting to remain “stationery” for too long, we wandered into the backyard and observed the world around us. Fallen leaves and branches covered the forest floor. Soon a Frisbee was thrown recklessly into the wind. My hair blew over my eyes as I struggled to follow the flying disc!
Once we were thoroughly tired, we cozied up by the fire pit with my daughter and my husband. Hot chocolate for the kids and strong coffee for the adults as poured. We sipped, talked, and gazed into the warm flames. We didn’t always speak, but we never stopped communicating. A move of the hand, a glance of the eye, a smile or a frown – all kept the connection alive. Our communication never ended.
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