For years poetry was dreaded by millions. Either it meant crushingly long epics that went on and on, putting vast numbers of classrooms to sleep. Or it was so filled with hidden meaning that only lofty professors and a few graduate students could understand it.

Poetry has become more personal, and therefore, more popular. It has also become a powerful tool in helping people make lasting changes in their lives.

Language can influence us deeply — not just what we say, read or write — but also what we think. When we put our thoughts on paper and examine them, it’s a first step in finding out what we want. And when we know what we want — whether it’s in our relationships, jobs, financial dealings or life goals — that’s when we are most effective at making change.

Poetry is particularly effective because it’s short and sweet and gets to the point quickly. It has become such a simple and natural everyday form that even those who don’t consider themselves writers can use it. But it doesn’t have to be written to be effective; reading other people’s poetry can also be a way to shift the way we see our problems and perhaps come up with a different solution. Reading poetry has become so popular that it’s on buses in London and several Canadian and U.S. cities.

Poet Mary Oliver says that this simpler form of poetry is like a “coiled spring, waiting to release its energy in a few clear phrases.”

Poetry can be used as meditation, prayer and relaxation. Many understand its potential to entertain, heal and impart wisdom in everyday language. In fact, poetry was one of many treatments used at the Pennsylvania Hospital, founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin.

Poetry is accessible to anyone—to entertain, to understand more deeply, to see life in a different light. It has the power to connect us to ourselves and to others so that we know we are not alone. It can result in an “aha!” moment that shifts the direction of our lives.

Take Oliver’s poem, “The Journey.” This poem is about re-birth and finding the path in life that truly works for us. It’s about making a decision, regardless of what others say. It doesn’t have to be an earth-shaking decision; reading and writing poetry can help with any decision, no matter how small. Every shift has a ripple effect throughout the rest of our lives.

The Journey
by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications.

Once upon a time, if you wanted to know thyself (Plato) or solve relationship problems, you would lie on a couch and say whatever came to mind while a therapist (Freudian) would sit in a chair and listen for themes, write them down and make comments back to you. If you tried to explain yourself, the therapist would point out that you were defensive and could even tell you which defense mechanism you were using, such as denial.

We progressed from the couch to the chair in the therapy room. We’ve learned more clinical techniques to help clients Know Thyself and solve problems. We encourage clients to journal, set goals and talk out their issues with a therapist. The therapist still takes notes and reflects back to the client the themes of the conversation.

Would you like to know about a technique that puts you in the therapist’s chair, both listening to yourself and writing down what comes to mind, learning reflective skills? It’s called Therapeutic Writing practice. This is not new and you don’t have to do it alone.

What is new is that you’re in control of what you write about, how you write, how much you write and how much, if any, you share with anyone. You can choose a new topic for each writing session. You don’t have to know grammar, spelling or typing. Pen, pencil, paper and your mind are the ingredients to turning out…well, you don’t know what. It’s the same recipe every day, but you’ll get a different product each time. One day you may get an insight about your illness, or grieving or suddenly become awe struck with the beauty in your life.

Why don’t you give it a try? Know Thyself a little more each day. Who else but you knows what’s important to you?

If you can’t think of where to start, I’ve compiled a list of topics, below. Read over them and pick one that inspires you to write a paragraph (or more). No time limit. Five minutes is fine if you’re writing from your heart.

You can always contact me to work with you on a topic or to share your insights.

Topics

• Body Changes: Write about how you’re feeling about your body as it changes with age or illness.
• Life Transitions: Write about a time your life changed (someone died, divorced, moved, left, etc.).
• Saving Grace: Write about a time someone saved you from something (accident, wrong path, etc.).
• For More Topics: Click here.