Today our Write Life series guest is the delightful, hugely inspiring, and always encouraging Anusha Atukorala. Anusha is one of those people who brighten the world wherever they go, and even when life offers lemons, she not only makes lemonade, she drops in a couple of ice cubes and makes it sparkle. It’s an absolute pleasure to host her today and I’m looking forward to reading about her ‘write’ amazing adventure!

My “Write Life” has been a remarkable journey – not without its bumps and twists but also with a cartload of joy and fun thrown in. It has been one of deep fulfillment not because of the millions I have yet to earn! But due to the immense satisfaction derived from the writing process. So … what have I learnt during this exciting voyage?

First. About life. Writing has forced me to reflect on my journey and what it’s all about. It has been a teacher in its own right. Rather than having it all sorted out in my brain and then verbalising it – I find that the writing process helps me organise my thoughts and learn new lessons from life. Putting it down helps me know myself better. Interesting. Further, it has reinforced my life values. That of working hard, of persistence, of refusing to give up against the odds, of not expecting instant results, of being faithful.

During the past few years, I’ve been challenged by my own writing – like an injection which turns back on the nurse administering it, to pierce her own skin instead, (ouch)! Or like a boomerang that returns to bop one on the head. I’ve often blogged, confident I was living true to what I’d written about. However, no sooner was my blog published than I’d be urgently challenged. If I’d written about forgiveness, there’d come a difficult person to trip me up. If I wrote about trusting God – there’d arrive a tough scenario where trusting didn’t come easy. Writing has forced me to own responsibility over my life and my actions. It has also shown me that just like my writing, I am still a work in progress.

And then, I’ve learnt the value of doing what’s important in life – not pleasing others or doing what brings outward reward – but doing what feeds my spirit and honours God. I’ve discovered that there is an important common thread in fiction and in real life. The depth of a good story is often the element of mystery in it. ‘Things are not what they seem.’ Life is much the same. Things are not what they seem. What happens to us and to those we love might seem meaningless. It may look as if evil is triumphing over goodness.

Ah! But there is hope. We are all part of the one amazing story of God. All will be revealed at the grand ending to our story. Till then – we can but hold onto the handlebars and enjoy the ride – perhaps screaming all the way, like relishing a Disneyworld adventure ride. The end will be worth it. So yes, my “Write Life” has been an exciting, fulfilling one – not without its challenges – but it has helped me know myself and to know what it is to be human. To grow in character through the power of words and to reach out gladly in the process so I can touch and bless my world.

Anusha Atukorala has been in love with the English all her life. She’s also passionate about Jesus, life, family, friendship, reading, writing, music and the beauty of creation. Her first book ‘Enjoying the Journey‘ contains 75 stories of little lessons from everyday life. Her latest accomplishment is her first fiction story to be published in an Anthology called ‘Tied in Pink’ launched just yesterday – raising money for breast cancer research. (Follow links to find out more or purchase a copy.) Do drop in at her website, Dancing in the Rain, to say G’day – she’d love to connect with you.