A SCRIBE'S MUSINGS: Why do I write? - Woodstock Sentinel Review

People have asked me why I write, and why I have chosen to share my thoughts.

I have repeatedly enquired (inquired is also correct, a synonym – there is no difference between the two) of myself, why are you writing and sharing? Perhaps people don’t care or wish to read what you think!

What makes you think that your thoughts or ideas are significant? I assure that I do so not out of arrogance.

My powerfully felt response comes in two parts. I am a communicator. All of my life I have felt strongly compelled to speak and write what I know, understand, or believe. In youth my teachers and family challenged this shy boy to engage in that most dreaded of pursuits: public speaking.

I had started to read a great deal when quite young, and proved adept with language. My early attempts to give speeches in class, then before the whole school, left me feeling very un-confident, exposed, and upset.

Yet, I was regularly moved on to the next level, until both my skill and confidence grew. I have been talking to groups of people ever since: as student, teacher, actor, singer, and minister. This ability to speak in spite of my natural reticence has truly

been an unexpected and surprising gift; an incredibly challenging yet rewarding knack, or aptitude.

I am quite pleased and eager to assist when asked on the spot to say Grace, pray at a funeral when I arrived to give condolences and a hug, to silence a crowd with my outdoor ‘principal’s voice’ or to speak on behalf of others at a meeting.

Putting pen to paper, or fingertips to keys, gives me even more joy and satisfaction, as doing so allows time to ponder, plan, organize and edit, all of those incredible opportunities that I was honoured to offer hundreds of English students over my career in education! (I should have written appreciative and happy students!).

As for what to write, life has blessed me with ongoing opportunities to learn, research, listen and grow at several outstanding educational institutions: Queen’s, UWO, and U of T.

I had to work diligently to learn, earn a place at, and graduate from these fine institutions and could place an alphabet soup of letters after my name (but never will.)

My studies encompassed English Literature, sociology, psychology, education, theology, history, and caring for others in a pastoral manner (coping with daily struggles, death, marital and other issues, wedding preparation, and dealing with conflicts and challenges).

My mind has always been a magnet for all of the arts, books, sciences, and I have read extensively.

These incredible and intensive years represented one crucial investment that we should all appreciate and understand: All post-secondary educational and training (apprenticeship, college, university) are society’s means of investing its collective knowledge, skills, passions, and resources ahead into the future.

Future skills, knowledge, talents, citizens, and informed voters, yes, but equally importantly, civil society’s collective knowledge and understanding, civility, morality, and dreams. Without these we are lost.

Thus, I write in order to share humbly and modestly a portion of this investment, faithfully received, and for the past 42 years, returned.

This is my call or vocation, as I understand it, post-serious illness and unable to work in my second chosen career of ministry – too brain-damaged to work, but unable to stop sharing, through words.

I humbly ask you to accompany me on this venture, dear readers.

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2022-02-24 18:13:42Z
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