Writing is therapy.

Back in the days of many moons ago, if you'd told my younger self that I'd grow up to be head over heels for writing, I'd have just waved you off like, "forget about it," throwing in a classic Italian saying for good measure. And if you'd added that I'd end up spending most of my time with my nose buried in books or scribbling away, I'd probably channel my inner sassy independent black woman (we've all got one deep down) and hit you with a "CHILD, PLEASE."

Now, imagine dropping the bomb that I'd fall headfirst into the world of poetry from centuries past, all while jamming out to some baroque tunes. I'd think you're off your rocker, ready to ship you off to the local psych ward. But here we are, truth be told. I've become the kind of person I'd have called a bit much. Until, of course, I learned to savor these finer things even more. Quite the twist, especially for someone who grew up thinking that writing and reading weren't exactly the epitome of manliness.

SIDE NOTE: 

Baroque, that fancy term thrown around for Western European art, music, and architecture from the 1600s to 1750. Not a gigantic span, just about 150 years, but guess what? It's still pretty darn popular today. It waltzed in after the Renaissance and did its thing until the classical era took over.

Now, the word 'baroque' itself is a gift from Portuguese – barocco, translating to 'misshapen pearl' or 'oddly shaped pearl.' Imagine, calling something as beautiful as Bach and Vivaldi misshapen! Well, 19th-century critics did just that, but we've come a long way since then. Baroque music ditched the insults and decided to jazz up instrumental performances, giving music a whole new richness.

Why the sudden chat about baroque music, you ask? Well, if you're on a quest to boost your output, creativity, or focus, look no further. Baroque music is your ticket to that elusive state of flow Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal rave about in "Stealing Fire."

Here's the magic – baroque tunes dance around 50 to 80 beats per minute, just like your heart. It syncs up with your resting heart rate, creating a focus-friendly vibe that plunges you into the alpha brain wave state. Translation: deep concentration, heightened awareness, and relaxation. Stanford's med school even found that classical tunes make you pay better attention and predict things more accurately.

Consider baroque music a life hack recommendation for your next reading or writing marathon. Oh, and if you're feeling triphop, that's cool too – just pick the lyrics-free version for a soothing cafe-like trance vibe.

Back to why I write:

I used to think writing was reserved for those who had zero interest in sports. As a fervent tennis player, my sights were set on breaking free from the amateur scene and hustling my way into the professional league. In my playbook, there was no room for writing alongside the court drills. I wasn't planning to face off with my idol, Roger Federer, in the Wimbledon finals while crafting sonnets and spewing prose from a desk. That's not how you clinch tennis tournaments. My weapon of choice was the tennis racket, and the court was my battlefield – no room for reading or writing.

Sure, I had to tackle the obligatory reading and writing for school, but it was a pure necessity. A means to clear the academic hurdles on my path to becoming a tennis pro. Anything beyond that was reserved for the occasional love letter, typically directed at whichever lovely girl had caught my eye at the time.

Young Casanova

Little did I know back then, I actually found solace in pouring out my feelings onto paper. There was a certain joy in expressing my emotions, especially when it came to letting girls know how I felt when I was with them. It became my forte, a skill where I could pluck my emotions from the hidden corners of my mind and lay them out between the lines. With romantic brushstrokes of inspiration leading the way, I felt I could articulate my thoughts more precisely if I took a moment to sit down and transform my invisible musings into visible prose. Surprisingly, it seemed to work like a charm, earning me plenty of one-on-one time with the opposite sex. Game. Set. Match.

One quote that holds a special place in my heart, courtesy of E.L. Doctorow, isn't just about writing; it's a gem for navigating life's twists and turns. Back in the day, I used to be all about planning every detail to perfection, letting anxiety rule the roost. Let me tell you, it's a stifling way to go about living life – or, at least, that's been my experience.

Embarking on a new project, no matter what it may be, sets it on a course to develop a life of its own. We often come into things with preconceived notions, envisioning a specific outcome. Yet, reality rarely aligns 100% with our initial ideas. Reflect on your life at this very moment – does it match the childhood vision you had for yourself? Chances are, those two scenes of existence hardly overlap. The key? Be present, breathe, don't sweat the small stuff, and savor the journey.

To reach your destination, you don't always need a clear view of it; paying attention to the few visible feet ahead will suffice. The journey, in essence, is the destination. The magic lies in evolving and growing with your project, allowing your creative beasts to roam freely.

There were numerous instances when the idea of sharing a poem left me anxious, waiting for that elusive moment of perfection that never quite arrives. Yet, I've learned to get better at unveiling what feels right to share in the moment, expressing the things I truly wanted to say. It's the subjects that required the most courage to bring into existence that turned out to be the most resonant. Surprisingly, those poems and writings garnered the most profound feedback.

People are more perceptive than we often give them credit for. We might try to make them see how we say something, but ultimately, what we say carries greater weight in their hearts. The beauty of how we say it is a lovely bonus, and that, of course, improves with practice.

For an artist, revealing the truth is no easy feat; it can be downright paralyzing. When you lay bare the truth through your art, you expose yourself, your soul wandering about naked, no longer veiled in the safety of fabric, hoping the universe will still cast a smile your way. Yet, the art that truly resonates with us always carries the tag of truth, and that's what captivates us.

I recall the saying that art is never truly finished; it's simply abandoned. This perspective has granted me a sense of fulfillment in all my endeavors, even in the face of failure.

I suggest everyone gives writing a shot, beginning with something simple like a gratitude journal. Kickstart each morning by jotting down 3-5 things you're thankful for. Might sound a bit cheesy, I get it, but what if I spilled the beans that a lot of successful and content folks swear by some form of gratitude practice? What if I let you in on the secret that this kind of routine starts rewiring your brain, setting the stage for what I like to call emotional success?

GRATITUDE IDEAS:

• eating delicious chocolate

• sharing a beautiful hug or a kiss

• beautiful weather

• listening to a great song

• running into an old friend

• having a good workout

• enjoying a home cooked meal

• hitting every green light during your commute

• passing honey suckle during a walk

• finishing a run without any aches or pains

• losing fat

• gaining muscle/strength

• finishing/starting a good book

• Your pet

Take a glance, and you'll find numerous things to be grateful for. Ever since I embraced my gratitude practice, I've noticed a shift – I no longer fixate on the negatives that come my way. Life unfolds as it's meant to; we lack real control in the grand cosmic scheme. The labels of good, bad, and other emotions are the colors we bring to the canvas of existence. By honing in on the positive, my brain tunes into those frequencies. I'm not just tossing words; genuinely, bad days have become a rarity. It's not about flawless days sticking to my plans – that's just impractical. It's about centering on my breath, residing in the present, and handling things as they roll in.

And let me clarify, it's not a claim that each day unfolds exactly as expected. That'd be absurd. What I'm getting at is, I focus on the now, breathe through it, and navigate each moment as it presents itself. Mastering the art of not taking things personally is a game-changer. Instead of reacting with the classic "why me?" sentiment, view events as happening 'for' us, not 'to' us.

The phrase "rewiring the brain" often echoes in the realms of success. However, a common misconception is that you need to rewire your brain first before adopting a practice. It's akin to someone saying, "I'll wait to become flexible before hitting up a yoga class." Newsflash, buttercup – going to yoga is what makes you flexible. Running enhances your cardio; swimming improves your swimming skills. We often know what to do but hesitate to do what we know. The comprehension kicks in only through experience. It's like explaining an orgasm – hearing about it doesn't quite measure up to the real deal.

The act of doing breeds behavior, and, like everything else, you must fall in love with the process, not just the end result. I'm still on my writing journey, and I'm content with that. It's my process, I own it, it's mine. To become, you must do. As you do, you also become. Writers don't wait for free time; they carve it out and become writers. The same principle applies to any profession. A photographer starts by snapping countless pictures, learning angles, lighting, and editing along the way. The practice itself molds the photographer. Build habits around your goals, and behold as these habits, in turn, start shaping you.