gold quill pen
Health and Wellbeing, Personal Development, Self-awareness

Your Pen Talks- Do You Listen?

I know, nobody uses a pen to write anymore, but the image of people typing away on a computer just doesn’t do it for me. So, I’m going with the pen.

Pens talk.

Pens teach.

For some reason, I’ve had the urge lately to go back and read everything I posted here on Wise & Shine last year.  I finally took some time and did that this week. 

As it turns out, my pen was talking for most of the year on the same few subjects.  I apparently wasn’t listening though because already this year, I’ve found myself writing on some of the same topics I dealt with last year.

My wife sometimes tells me I don’t listen, maybe she’s right.

After paying attention this time, here’s what I think my pen is saying to me:

1- I talk a lot about work/life balance and a desire to be less busy, with more carefree time. But, I guess I didn’t make many improvements in that area because I’m still writing about it this year.

2- I really like telling stories.

3- For better or worse, I don’t have a set writing style. I float around from one approach to the next according to my whim. I seem to go through little phases of doing something for a while, then move on to a new approach.

4- I seriously considered taking a break from writing or stopping altogether, but I’m glad I didn’t. I did cut back a good bit though by letting my personal blog get dusty.

5- I really enjoyed reading some of my better pieces and I really appreciate peoples responses, likes and comments.

6- I love writing; the artistic part, the thoughtful/self-reflective part, the entertaining part- the whole thing.

7- I seem to be in some sort of personal, middle aged, re-focusing, moulting process.

I really enjoyed reading my old stuff and I highly recommend that you do it too.  Maybe you already do…

In case you don’t, here’s why you should:

1- Your pen is talking to you! You can learn a lot about yourself as a person; where you’re headed and and where you’ve been.

2- It’s fun!

3- You can evaluate your writing, and set the intention of pursuing the traits you like while eliminating what you don’t.

4- It’s impressive! Writing one blog post may not seem like a big deal, but when you write one blog post many times, over and over, it becomes a body of work- and that IS a big deal. If you’ve written a bunch of stuff, you have a body of work, a portfolio or repertoire of sorts. Acknowledge it! Be proud of it!

Your pen is talking to you. 

Listen to it!

Follow Wise & Shine for more stories from our talented staff. You can also visit Todd’s personal Five O’Clock Shadow blog. For more on Todd as a musician, visit toddfulginiti.com

38 thoughts on “Your Pen Talks- Do You Listen?”

  1. Yes. The pen is definitely talking, Todd. And I do still use a pen when I sit down to write a longer piece, or a piece that I’m not sure where it’s headed.

    I agree with everything you’ve said about writing. I started blogging almost 5 years ago and never considered myself a writer. My journey since then has taught me that I am, in fact, a writer.

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    1. When I first started running, my runner friends told me that anybody who runs is a runner- even me, who was only good for a mile or two at the time. So, I think the same theory applies to writing as well.
      Write on✍🏻/rock on🤘

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  2. “Pens talk…pens teach”. Gosh I love that. What a great way to keep a practice going — reminding ourselves of the value of writing no matter what. Thanks, Todd! 😉

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  5. I don’t use the pen because I barely can read my handwriting! When I take notes during a meeting for instance, once it’s finished I must “translate” it into a digital file. Besides that I love your post Todd!

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    2. Haha I admit I’m not as much into the pen either because as a left hander, I have smudge issues. 😬 I am better with pencils and typing.

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  6. Wow, the realization that you tend to write about the same things hit me. I guess an important topic to you is never really exhausted — there is always more you could say, or another way of seeing it. Instead of viewing it as a failure to resolve the issue, whether a lifestyle or an abstract issue, it could be seen as an ongoing development of that idea: it’s now a fixture in your life, you’ve made room for it to not only be revisited, but improved upon over and over again, through writing about it.

    So, long comment short: the fact that you continue to write about work-life balance and free time may be a more positive indicator than you first think.

    I appreciate your pen and the reminder of its importance!

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    1. Thanks Gail! I like your positive interpretation- that’s an angle I hadn’t considered. Thanks for the insightful comment!

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  7. Todd, I have noticed that the topics that seem very timely to write about are usually things I need to hear, and the process of writing opens up the different solutions I may need to be looking at. Our subconscious mind has plenty to say, even if it just choosing the topics we write about!

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  8. Thanks. I will. not this week, but I’m going to make a point to take time and do just that. Like you, i believe our “pens” are telling us lot of good stuff. (at least I hope so.)

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  11. I definitely still use pens … and pencils … and I usually work with more than one colour pen so I can organise my thoughts. I’ve actually just invested in a couple of new fountain pens. Sometimes it’s nice to break away from the pc/tablet, the screen, and work with books, pens and paper.

    I loved your review of your year’s writing. What a great idea to see what you’ve been doing. I think we can be so caught up with doing things … writing, working etc, that we don’t stop to reflect and see where and how we can improve. I’ve been revisiting some of my posts, but because I’m directing students to read them. It has made me stop and think, review on what progress I’ve made. Interestingly, not quite work-life balance, but it was looking at time management 😉
    I’m also glad you’ve kept writing ✍️ ☺️

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    1. Thanks Brenda- I love the colored pen idea for organization. Maybe I should try that😎 thanks for reading!

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  12. What a wonderful post and process of evaluating your written communications. I also use the pen as my many scribblings in previously blank books will attest to. I find pen and ink help my thoughts flow through me more easily than the final process of putting words on a screen or even speaking of things that require deeper explorations in conversations. Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤗🕊️💕

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    1. Scribbles have a lot of value for me too- it’s fun just to get started on something and see where it ends up going😎

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  14. Love this reflective overview of where you’ve been, Todd. And you’re right, I need to do it. I focus far too much on where I’m going so that I forget to look in the rear view mirror. Thanks for the prompt!

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  15. Nothing replaces the power of writing down our thoughts , we feel and live the emotions as we transmit the words from brain through fingers.
    To me it’s similar to reading a book like, nothing replaces the feeling of turning pages as I read a book

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