Write on Fight on turns 9 years old this week!

Published on July 31, 2015, my first post “College Application Essay Tip: Don’t Sweat the Prompt”, was a 206 word bore I’m sure no one ever read.

Even now, I cringe when I read it.

It’s like looking at an old photograph of yourself– preferably a photograph from those awkward years– acne, braces, a questionable hair style paired with questionable clothes. You can’t help but shake your head and cringe and wish you could go back, put a thumb over the camera lens, and prevent the picture from ever being taken.

That’s how I feel when I look back at my old writing.

However, we all need to endure those awkward years to grow, mature, and develop into something less cringy.

9 year old children are in what is known as “Middle Childhood.” This developmental stage is typically when a child begins to rationalize, think independently, feel empathy, and take risks. It’s also the age when a child begins to understand each person has a unique perspective on everything.

And even though they realize that everyone has their own perspective, they believe in their little heart their perspective is, without a doubt, the right one.

Sure this is a nearsighted and narrow minded way of thinking, but a 9 year old’s appreciation and value of their perspective is something adults seem to struggle with. While it may seem selfish, it’s vital that we steadfastly appreciate our own, flawed view on life in order to respect, comprehend, and ultimately appreciate the perspectives of others.

If you can figure out your own perspective, you can start to see how others view life. Their perspective may be different from yours, but it’s just as valuable. And if you’re growing as a person, you’re less likely to judge others for their perspective. If you can learn to understand your own perspective, you can start to understand how others see life.

So on WoFo’s 9th birthday I want to thank anyone, both near and far, both the living and the dead, who have read my writing, shared my writing with others, wrote to me, went to a party and said something to someone about something I wrote, and have made my story a part of their story.

Basically, thank you to anyone who has supported me over the years.

Without you I would have never turned 9 years old.

Without you this blog would be dying in an internet ditch somewhere with thousands of other forgotten blogs littering the digital superhighway.

Without you I would have never broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation of yours.

Having a blog, in many ways, is like growing up in public. It’s awkward, embarrassing, and scary and sometimes you don’t know what to say and sometimes you can’t shut up and other times you think, with bone certainty, no one knows what you’re going through. But then someone out there knows what you’re going through and they surprise and comfort you and suddenly you don’t feel so weird anymore.

When you set out to do a “thing” the first thought often is, “What will people think of me?” 9 years and I still wrestle with that question every time I write. But I’ve come to learn, in a way, everyone is hiding truths and contradictions about themselves. Everyone is beautifully flawed.

I hope my writing has provided you joy and has inspired you to pursue your “thing” and broaden your unique perspective.

You’ve provided me with companionship and happiness and the courage to act bravely when I wanted to be a coward. You continually remind me life favors the brave and everyone has a unique story and every story matters.

And for that– THANK YOU!

Be well,

Jay

Are you writer? Are you looking for writing advice or writing tactics that you can guide you on your writing journey?

One, Line, One Love: Writer’s Tool Box– Episode 29: What’s your genre?

In this episode, Gail and Jay talk about the challenges of choosing a genre for your writing. They share how they discovered their own genres, why exploring genres is a must, and offer advice for everyday writers who are struggling to find the genre that best suits their voice. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: What is genre? Why does it matter? How do you find your genre? What are the benefits of finding your genre? What are the challenges of finding your genre? If you’re an everyday writer, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Book Sale Link

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Warm greetings to everyone who found me on the University of Pennsylvania’s Ataxia Clinic’s website! Thanks for stopping by. I have ataxia and though I’m not a doctor, I hope my words comfort, encourage, empower, and serve as good company on your journey.

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Jay Armstrong is a speaker and an award-winning author. Despite being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, that impairs his movement, balance, eyesight, and speech–Jay presses on. The leader of the Philadelphia Ataxia Support Group, he hopes to help you find joy, peace, and meaning in life.