Writing is a privilege

I have been a writer for as long as I can remember. Whether it was writing my letters repeatedly in kindergarten, my diary entries that are too embarrassing to read again, or even now. My thoughts on paper (or on a screen) are more than I ever thought capable of myself. I have revealed parts of myself I could only say in a mirror or to a therapist when I write. I have told the Vocal community about my emotional abuse by an ex and my weight issues. I have read about people's issues and their dreams. Our words are our connection, and we can use them for good or bad. Thankfully, here on Vocal, it's the latter. We are privileged beyond any doubt to be where we are in time.

I can convey my meaning by the single push of a button. I can create and change my mind at the whim or based on an article I read. We can argue and persuade, and it is all because of words, all because of writing. We have this limitless potential to intersect with each other's lives, and it's because of words.

What else could we need to feel like we aren't screaming into a void, hoping someone will respond?

It was funny to try and explain what Vocal is to my husband. He's a fitness guy. Therefore, when we talk about Vocal, he uses analogies. He competes in the Elite Hyrox and Spartan races, so that was how he explained to me what Vocal was like, at least to him. We are a group of people who are serious about our writing, so we have a higher skill level here. So to make your mark, you have to become better. You have to work every day. Refine the craft as often as you can. We don't want to admit it, but we are competitors. We all want Top Story and those who say they don't are lying (or are so much more mature than I that I can't possibly fathom what it feels like to be that mature).

I lamented to my husband that I felt maybe I wasn't meant to compete with those on here. Some creators click the publish button, and it's as if they produce Top Stories immediately, and it feels hard to want to keep trying. However, my husband is 22 in the USA in Hyrox, spending over 15-20 hours a week refining his fitness and craft. There is a guy that dominates every competition, and my husband is just happy to be there, competing with the very best. That is our prize, to compete with each and get better every day. The Top Story is just icing. We are privileged to be here and to get the opportunities we do. How fortunate are we that we don't have to spend as much time just surviving so that we can pursue our craft?

I hope that every day you remember that. Our privilege is that we can spend time doing what we love. We sow the foundations for being as good as we want. I have to remind myself, almost every day, that no matter the outcome, I am doing what I love, which is what matters. I create, and as my husband has said, 'It's more than most people will do in their lives" I read him my poems occasionally. He seems to enjoy them, a man who doesn't write for fun. That is enough for me most days; I will never stop aspiring for more. That ambition will be my driving force to learn, excel, and improve. I am a writer, and that is my privilege.