Sometimes the muse abandons us in our quest to create.  We say we are going through a desert, devoid of ideas, lacking inspiration, bereft of dreams. There is life if you are observant. To avoid the heat animals burrowing underground where the earth is cooler. They alter their lifestyle adopting nocturnal habits. Plants develop spines for protection, deep roots connect to life-sustaining moisture in the soil and tough skin to prevent water evaporation.

We must do the same to access the gems we seek. The desert requires us to reach into our core for the gold we pursue. We adjust our procedures, struggling to attain the seeds that spark creation. The amazing thing is the work pays big dividends providing us with things we never imagined. We uncover rich beauty.

Where do you find unexpected beauty?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Human beings like to push the envelope, fight in the arena, blaze a new trail and test their limits. Every individual has a unique, set of tolerable risks. Not all mountaineers want to climb Mount Everest, some prefer to base jump from a two-thousand-foot cliff. It is all about the precise balance of risk vs. reward. We have different definitions of acceptable danger. In accessing our tolerance, we consider our special skill which gives us certain advantages and we define our compelling reason.

There are thousands of reasons to quit, to stay in a safe place, to not try. To succeed, you must dig deep and identify your main purpose, your motivation to groom your mental and physical strength. It will push you to discover the unknown when others would stop, it is what keeps you going.

What is your reason to create your story?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Understanding the purpose of a few individuals we encounter on our path is difficult. Consider the giant SUV dude who switches lanes and threatened to take my front bumper with him. Or the woman in the checkout line who jammed her shopping cart into my heels. SUV dude confirmed the proper working order of my anti-lock brakes. Maybe he was late for a job interview. The brutal attack on my ankles is less obvious. Patience? Unconditional forgiveness? It is hard to say when my cry of unexpected pain elicited zero in the way of acknowledgment or apology.

There are true gems. The stranger who helps you after a fall. The dear friend who answers your call regardless of the hour. Unsolicited encouragement, high fives, and even a smile can encourage us. Harsh criticisms can open a window on a new line of thinking. None of it can happen unless we step outside and brave a few bruises.

What risk will you take today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Today marks a transformation. This week I adjust schedules, shake routines and change the marching orders. Sometimes routines become stale, too easily achieved, too predictable. To improve and grow things cannot remain the same.

It’s scary to alter the actions we know work, but growth doesn’t arise from stagnation. We rise when we try to reach new goals when we push ourselves. Perhaps it is a mistake. But it could be an excellent decision, one that propels us to unprecedented heights. We will never know unless we try.

What chances will you take this week?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer