As I opened Substack this morning this note was top of the list:
“Write when you’re emotional. Edit when you’re not.” (David McIlroy)
This caught my attention. It certainly speaks to me in relation to writing. It can be translated as write free form. Don’t stop to check if it makes sense or check for grammar. Just let it flow and write.
I then got thinking, could this phrase apply to other areas of our lives? ….
Pray when you’re emotional ….?
Draw, create, make music when you’re emotional ….?
Share with friends when you’re emotional ….?
Would you add anything ? ….
Emotional means in touch with your feelings. No self-judgement to say ‘acceptable/non-acceptable’. Emotional means speaking your truth in a given moment. Emotional means there is room for it all. Emotional means allowing for a part of who we are to show itself.
Giving expression to our emotions can be freeing. Being emotional can be a gift we give to ourselves.
Take a little time to reflect for yourself what being emotional means ….. Speak the word ‘emotional’ out loud several times…. where in your body do you feel it? …. What might that be inviting? ….
Edit when you’re not emotional … I would add a caveat. Otherwise it feels too harsh. Editing is another way to say ‘to make clearer’. It does not mean without the emotion that brought you to the writing (or praying, or sharing) in the first place.
I think that ‘editing’ may help us become more objective. We can be so close to what surfaces through our emotions. It can be difficult to see beyond. It can be difficult to get to the invitation or what the emotions evoke. ‘Editing’ or revisiting the words after naming them allows us to sit back and see them as an expression, without judgment.
I was told of the practice of inviting children’s reflections on a story by beginning with ‘I wonder’ …. I use this when accompanying someone in spiritual guidance….. ‘I wonder what that feeling/experience says to you? …. ‘I wonder where God might be in that experience? … I have found the wondering helpful as a way to hold something before us, gently, rather than holding tightly.
What surfaces for you as you consider ‘edit when you’re not emotional’? …Does this speak to you from your own experience? … What does ‘editing’ look like for you? …
Perhaps in these remaining days of Lent we can experiment with the ebb and flow of emoting and editing. I wonder what that would look/feel like? ….
God of all Life, In the emotions In the editing May we know ourselves May we express ourselves May we know You May we grow deeply in the whole of life given to us through your generous grace. AMEN
Thanks for this Claudette.