If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write – Martin Luther
- Writing helps us all bridge together, a short poem can bring solace for a person who is suffering through hard times, a novel can introduce readers to various perspectives where one may not have thought of—–writing connects us all through history and motivates us to challenge conformism.
Intikhab Ahmed Panhwar
There has always been a debate over writing some say it is an activity to keep in touch with the world and some declare it an exercise of mind. Whatever the case that be, but one cannot deny the importance of writing. The digital era has thrown everyone at distance ignoring the emotional touch of one other, as everyone is found alone being under a same roof. Writing has been a bridge among the masses to connect them with a sense of strong bond, as it welcomes every individual irrespective of his cast or religion. It is writing which breaks the shackles of passport and lead a writer across the borders, for writing needs no visa what it really needs is a true connection which is intertwined among the hearts of people.
Lines of Division
Borders drawn on maps and hearts,
Lines that tear the world apart.
Boundaries built by fear and pride,
Dividing souls on either side.
A line in sand, a wall of stone,
Where we stand, divided, alone.
Across the miles, the stories fade,
Of kin and kindred, love betrayed.
The borders rise, the fences grow,
With every fear that we bestow.
Yet in the cracks, the flowers bloom,
Defying shadows of the gloom.
For every wall that stands so tall,
There’s a heart that hears the call.
To bridge the gap, to heal the pain,
To see the sun through the rain.
-Unknown
How powerful the poet’s message is, it is of the view that such boundaries cannot fall apart as our hearts are connected to each other. Unfortunately; the youth of today is unaware of the fact that writing opens vast vistas of life where they can have a world of their own. Gone are the days, when people used to write for their hobbies, however; today writing has become a professional industry where one can earn a handsome income to meet their ends. We are surrounded by technology and the digital market demands technical writers who can write and explain the complex terms into the possible easier way. The data indicates that the demand for technical writers is expected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029. So, to speak, there are choices for everyone either they treat writing as their personal hobby or regard it as professional one. A writing can also be your good companion which can listen to your sorrows and share happiness alike. As an adage goes, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write. Martin Luther.”
Apart from it, writing is considered to be an emotional release because our emotions are very powerful whenever we put them into words they not only bring feelings but they invade through various characters because during writing we reflect ourselves and feel that we are in conversation where one can agree or disagree. Moreover, technology has brought us at a platform where vehicles of our ideas are diverted towards nowhere but an unknown destination, resultantly; a huge amount of invaluable time is lost in futility.
A 2013 study in psychological science reveals that whenever a person writes his difficult experiences they turn into structured and meaningful. Undoubtedly, the writing has that much clout where one feels powerful and can also jolt a world with his mind. For instance, the greatest minds of the world are still remembered today enthusiastically, because they travelled the world through their pens and showed people their magical wisdom by observing and jotting down all those ideas which could help people feel motivated and stay connected with the sorrows, happiness and austerity of the life being spent globally. Simply, it can be said that writing heals a person mentally and emotionally alike, writing allows us to peep out the world other than one’s own, it gives space to gain confidence by reading novels, poetry and drama we get a huge insight to express ourselves over any issue that is left undiscussed. Every new draft takes us close to the heart what we want to say what others do not listen to understand.
Writing can also help us understand others in real life because when we write we become others and that authorization helps in knowing the sorrows, happiness, separation or deceit through their eyes. With the burgeoning gap among communities both the sympathy and empathy have been lost, people have become so lonely that they are trying to connect themselves with AI (Artificial intelligence) for they believe someone is there who can listen to their sorrows and answer to their agonies, but once they step in, they realize nothing can come to their rescue except the touch of human’s feelings which can mitigate their worries and double their happiness.
Writing can be personal, but its impact can jolt the masses, as there are many books which bring a change in society such as, A tale of two cities by Charles Dickens, To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and a book by our Pakistani author Muhammad Hanif A case of exploding mangoes writers have that much power to highlight marginalized voices, challenge the norms and kick the evil out of society through their write ups. It is high time to be realized this is an era where one can easily be published via numerous platforms and be heard across the borders without any visas.
As told before, writing helps us all bridge together, a short poem can bring solace for a person who is suffering through hard times, a novel can introduce readers to various perspectives where one may not have thought of—–writing connects us all through history and motivates us to challenge conformism. To develop a writing habit, we as a whole, be consistent in writing on regular basis, such as, maintain diaries, write short letters and converse with ourselves so that we may be able to be healthy minds.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Anne Frank.
Read: The Literature as Genres
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Intikhab Ahmed Panhwar of Lecturer English at Sukkur IBA University
