By Allison Stein
In journalizing ideas and experiences, I capture my passion for the act and craft of writing. I dare to inquire, In what ways do words shape our perceptions of society, as well as our place within the world? How does self-expression liberate us from our silence?
I hope you enjoy the below quotations as glimpses of my writing journey…
“[Writing is] translating the heart’s palpitations to a language others can read with their eyes and feel with their souls.”
- August 8, 2015: “I believe that writing changes lives and want to dedicate myself to expressing and encapsulating dreams in words.”
- August 26, 2015: “These days, I not only dream but also strive to make my dreams come true.”
- September 16, 2015: “[T]enacity has lifted me higher than talent ever has…”
- September 23, 2015: “Creating is the exhilaration of experimenting.”
“I’ve been…discovering my voice.”
- December 12, 2014: “[I]t’s a message I share with the world; it’s my hope of making a difference.”
- January 1, 2015: “I dream of inspiring and motivating…through my words…”
- January 1, 2015: “[K]eeping a journal is like having a friend.”
- June 11, 2015: “My goal, as always, would be to be genuine.”
“…I knew I was using that beautiful voice that God gifted me with, that beautiful voice that no one ever heard.”
- December 24, 2014: “…I wonder if I am making people smile, maybe even making people’s days.”
- January 1, 2015: “…I dream of making a positive difference with the passion God has gifted me with.”
- September 16, 2015: “I am proud that I have the courage to dream and to try.”
- September 16, 2015: “…I’ve learned to let my heart speak.”
“[B]eing vulnerable is part of sharing what you love.”
- December 12, 2014: “…I wish I’d been open about my dreams…”
- June 19, 2015: “I love that writing is capable of connecting people like that.”
- August 25, 2015: “I hope my story will offer courage, love, faith, and insight to others, and I feel brave enough to share my story.”
- September 26, 2015: “…I would be forced to expose part of my heart that I too often hide away.”
“[M]y dreams seemed so far away, and I wondered why anybody would take me seriously.”
- August 2, 2015: “It is a piece of my heart, and I can’t give up on it.”
- August 22, 2015: “I’ve been feeling misunderstood…”
- August 31, 2015: “I’m tired of feeling ashamed…”
- September 16, 2015: “I felt paralyzed with fear and doubt, but I knew that…I had to move forward.”
“You know what I’m most proud of? Parts of this journey were a real challenge. Parts were discouraging. Parts were a severe threat to my stamina. But I didn’t give up.”
- December 12, 2014: “So, yes, getting from where I was to where I am took courage…”
- September 2, 2015: “I like to think I’m a fearless dreamer who beat the odds.”
- September 7, 2015: “I have fears…but hopes, too.”
- September 9, 2015: “[D]reams are hard but worth every second of struggling.”
“[S]uddenly, a stranger who believed in me more than I believed in myself had helped me discover the purpose of my life.”
- October 24, 2014: “He looked at me. ‘Don’t quit.’ ‘Thank you,’ I said. I will never forget his words…”
- November 27, 2014: “I felt that the moment was an important juncture in my…life.”
- December 23, 2014: “It’s a beautiful emotion to know people believe in me.”
- August 12, 2015: “That support is so meaningful to a girl who is so often overlooked…”
“I discovered that my heart led me to the right path, as it always does.”
- September 29, 2014: “…I’ve been reflecting on my journey.”
- August 8, 2015: “…I need to share my words with someone…”
- August 28, 2015: “[M]aybe, just maybe, I’ll touch someone else’s heart.”
- November 5, 2015: “This whole endeavor has been based on gut feelings.”
Since childhood, I have immersed myself in language, creating universes from simple strokes of lead. Stories have inspired me my entire life, and I am finally finding the courage to tell my own.