"Writing eases my suffering. It is my way of reaffirming my own existence." - Gao Xingjian

"Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear, which is inherent in a human condition." - Graham Greene

Here's a letter I wrote to my dad. No, I didn't send it. So he never read it. You may ask, "What's the point then?"

Let me tell you this. It relieved the pain that I've had been keeping for so many years. Putting it on paper was a self-healing process. The act made me finally let go off the emotions that I've been keeping for so long. And once I've let them go, I have forgiven him. I was able to move on, work on my personal growth and enjoy living.

Dear dad,

I'm leaving because even with you around, it makes no difference to my life. Nothing at all. I paid for my school stuff and fees with my own scholarship. I have been making my own decisions on what to do with my adolescence life. I live in silence because you refuse to talk to me.

I remember a few things that you did that made me look up upon you once. You taught me about the importance of hygiene, cleanliness and discipline. I marveled at your gardening skill. I enjoyed the walks we had in the park while waiting for visiting hours when mom was hospitalized.

What have all that gone?

I wonder though if you had just ask how I felt when you left mom for another woman, would it make any difference? If I were to tell you that your good friend raped me, would you have hugged and consoled me and tell me that everything will be alright?

I guess it does not matter now. You have your life and I have mine.

I'll manage. I've always had. I have learned to make my own decisions without your counsel. I have made wrong ones and I may make many more but I know that it's part of my growing up.

I don't think you are going to miss me and I doubt anyone here would. I am moving on and maybe would find someone to talk to and who cares to listen.

Fatimah

There are so many things going on in everyone's head. Some are painful and traumatic while many are also beautiful memories. There are thoughts of different nature; worries, concerns, fears, dreams, etc. In a day, your mind will pop up with thousands of these, depending on what trigger them. If you don't pause to look at them, you will keep on feeling, acting and living the same old habitual way.

Anita Brookner said that you never know what you will learn till you start putting down your thoughts on paper. Then you discover truths you never knew existed. And Anne Morrow Lindbergh quoted that writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living.

It is important that you become aware of the same thoughts and emotions that keep coming day in and day out. You should write them down for self-disclosure so that you can analyze and deal with them.

If you have a dream to have, do and become something, describe them on paper. This will enable your mind to get a clear picture. Once your mind can see, it will help you get there.

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To Ponder

It is important that you become aware of the same thoughts and emotions that keep coming day in and day out. You should write them down for self-disclosure so that you can analyze and deal with them.

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