As a writer, you can discover
interesting things about yourself and about the world and existence
in general. To be a good writer (which I'm still working on), you
have to be observant and thoughtful. Otherwise, you'll just end up
with flimsy fluff (like most store-bought bread). Particularly, if
you're writing stories about people, fictional or not, you have to
know something about people. That's a challenge for us introverts. We
know a lot about ourselves, but not so much about how other people
think. We have to learn to look outside of ourselves a little bit.
Sometimes, it's surprising what we learn about ourselves when we do.
It's like a little chick breaking out of the eggshell into the
sunlight and finding out that it's yellow compared to other things
around it. (I wonder how much color chickens can actually see. That's
a question for another day.)
The other day, I decided I needed to
examine the psyche one of my characters more closely. I knew she had
some issues to deal with, but I wanted a clearer picture so I could
write her more like a real person. So for starters, I looked around
at some very basic articles about anxiety disorders. (As a student, I
prefer academic articles, but I'm not a student of psychology. You
have to start somewhere.)
I learned that OCD is a form of
anxiety1.
I never knew it, but it makes sense. When you have anxiety, you are
afraid of bad things happening in the future. When you have OCD, you
perform rituals and routines in order to prevent something bad from
happening. As I read about all this, I started to learn something
about myself. I don't think I have any serious condition, but I have
noticed a few symptoms. Though I am more relaxed than I used to be,
I've caught myself worrying excessively or doing little things to
prevent or avoid something I fear. I wash my hands probably more than
I need to. (I must say, I don't get sick very often. There could be
other reasons for that, though.) I often have impulses to double- or
triple-check things. I read that resisting these impulses and NOT
doing these things unnecessarily can help eliminate the anxiety.
I've been trying that more consciously
the last few days. It works. (For me anyway.) It's a burden off the
shoulders. For several years now (it makes me feel old to say that)
I've been telling myself over and over that worrying usually doesn't
do any good. I've seen the debilitating effects of worrying in the
lives of people I love – and in my own. It's no fun. Better to take
life one step at a time and remember to trust God. I know that for
some folks, it's easier said than done, and they might need more
outside help. That's ok. We all have challenges that we need help and
effort to overcome. Of course, the Savior is the ultimate healer, who
offers peace in the middle of hard times. Many times, I have felt it
while in tears and on my knees or while reading the holy scriptures,
or while even just turning my thoughts to Him instead of dwelling on
my worries. Fear is the opposite of faith and hope. Real faith
banishes fear. God knows what we need, and when we need it.
One day's challenges are enough to take at once (Matthew 6:31-342,
3 Nephi 13:31-34)3.
You don't have to take on the burden of all the days of the future,
or of things that might not even happen. Christ already took on all
our burdens so He would know how to help us (Alma 7:11-12)4.
Writing is awesome. :) It can really
lead to enlightenment. I highly recommend it.
1
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/ocd.html#cat20123
2
Matthew 6:31-34
3
3 Nephi 13:31-34
4
Alma 7:11-12
