If we were having coffee this morning, it would be “magic coffee.” After sleeping in on this cold Sunday morning, we decided there really was no good reason for us to leave the house today. Groceries can wait until tomorrow — we have leftovers we can warm up for dinner. Which brings me to the “magic coffee.” After finishing up our first batch of coffee with our French press, we enhanced the second pot with a few special ingredients (we’re partial to the Blitzen). With Alexa providing some background music via Pandora’s Burt Bacharach station, it was a relaxing way to spend a Sunday morning.

So here I sit on the couch in my pajamas, and I’ve just signed up for WordPress’s Blogging University course: Finding Everyday Inspiration. The first assignment is “I write because…”

I’ve tried to write every day since this past summer when I started the “Morning Pages” routine. I’m pretty sure I can count on just one or two hands the number of days I’ve missed since starting. Some days it’s just one page, but I’ve been pretty consistent.

But why do I write?

I guess I write because it’s another way to exercise my brain and creativity. I’m not a great conversationalist. I’m not a great writer either but when I write I can edit myself into someone who sounds a little more intelligent, maybe, or come close to expressing how I really feel about a subject.  When I write I have time to carefully consider the words I put down.

This isn’t the case with my Morning Pages, though, when the goal is just to write whatever’s on my mind for 30 minutes without thinking about it too much. This first assignment is along the same lines:

Today, tell us: why do you write? Set a timer and free-write for 15 or 30 minutes without stopping.

(So, if this post seems a little unstructured and even more ramble-ish than usual, I have a little bit of an excuse.)

I guess writing gives my voice, my spirit, a little more confidence. Taking a photograph that reflects a vision I saw in my head does the same. These two acts breathe a little energy into my body, my soul.

All right so maybe I’ve had enough “magic coffee” for today. See you next time!