Being disabled causes one to find new sources of enjoyment. The things I used to enjoy before my accident, I can no longer do without strenuous effort, for that reason I no longer play video games or the guitar.
At first, I tried to force my hands to do what I could no longer do, when it started to take more effort to do, it was no longer enjoyable. I got to the point where I had to decide whether to keep looking back or press forward.
I began to focus on what I could do instead of what I couldn’t do. I started learning new things or doing things I hadn’t done in decades. The disabled life makes one appreciate the little things in life. Things most people take for granted. Things I never thought I would enjoy again.
- Walking is a basic function not everyone can enjoy.
- Feeding myself, not depending on others to help me.
- Tying my shoes.
- Going to the restroom on my own.
As simple as these may seem to most people, many disabled persons don’t get to enjoy doing because of physical or mental inabilities.
When you lose the ability to do what others do naturally, it can cause you to become depressed. It will make you want to give up.
If you’ve been aspiring to be a writer for any amount of time, perhaps you’ve become depressed as you’ve seen others have success in what you struggle to do yourself. Sometimes the struggles of the writing life can take the enjoyment away. That’s why writers must learn to enjoy the journey and not focus as much on the destination!
Enjoy It!
It may be cliché, but I believe it is true. “As long as you enjoy your job, you’ll never work a day in your life!” It is human nature to seek enjoyment, and it is natural to seek the path of least resistance.
I don’t want to sugarcoat the writing life, but as a reminder that the writing life is hard, living with a disability is hard—an easy path doesn’t necessarily mean success. It’s what we learn on the journey and the truth is we learn more from hardship.
Keep in mind, few writers can make a living as a writer full-time, most writers have side jobs and other sources of income: a day job, teaching, speaking, etc.
Yet, thousands of people aspire to become writers every day. Most of us don’t write for money, we write for the art and enjoyment of the craft. If we break through the barriers one day great, regardless, we enjoy the creative process! Below is a list of other reasons writers keep writing.
- The best way to communicate is by speaking. The second-best way is to write.
- Writing helps see your thoughts clearly.
- It is a good practice to look back on how your perspectives have changed.
- Having a place to share your ideas helps a community to grow.
- Writing is a fun pass time.
- You can write your thoughts and make an impact.
- You can voice concerns for a cause through your writing.
- For you to write, you will start reading and taking more life experiences.
- Writing helps build a relationship in any community.
- I love writing.
Recently, on a brain injury podcast I follow, a doctor explained how muscle memory is developed and works. The “memory” isn’t stored in the muscle but is a habit that is formed in the Basal Ganglia (operates in the frontal region of the brain), sort of like an algorithm that has been programmed into the brain by repeating a process.
So, the more we write and flex those creative muscles, the more we program our brains to write and the process will become involuntary, less strenuous. Maybe that’s when we really start to enjoy the writing process, instead of the destination of “success”!
Once again, the writing life is hard and few find financial success in it. So, if you’re feeling burnt out, perhaps you should just learn to enjoy the art of writing, instead of focusing on writing success. We can always write, even if we aren’t being compensated for it. Yes, the struggle is real!
The Struggle Is Real!
After living with a disability for almost 26 years and pursuing publishing for a decade, I have learned the hard truth that life is full of struggles, but I keep pressing on. Not to become rich and famous, but because I enjoy the craft and life.
I’ve learned that it’s the simple things in life that make it enjoyable and worth the struggle. Each path is different and difficult in its own right; however, if we learn to grow on the journey, the struggle is worth it. Below are a few inspirational quotes from the disabled community to help inspire you on your writing journey.
- “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.” – Stephen Hawking
- It’s not our disabilities, it’s our abilities that count.” – Chris Burke
- “Know me for my abilities, not my disability.” –Robert M. Hensel
- “God always seems bigger to those who need him most. And suffering is the tool he uses to help us need him more.” – Joni Eareckson Tada
I have personally learned over the years that struggles in life aren’t meant to stop us, but help makes us stronger along the journey to where we are headed. Just because I can no longer do what I used to do doesn’t mean I cannot excel at doing new things. We don’t have to do big things in life to be successful, it’s appreciating the little things that helps us enjoy it!
Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJonhson.com and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.
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