I remember playing as a kid. It was a magical time. Apple trees magically transformed into space stations. A sandbox set the stage for a town with a moat. The bare spot under a row of pines was a deep, dank dungeon below a giant castle. Epic adventures, to distant lands filled with mystical creatures, were only a heartbeat away. Inspiration floated on the breeze, shadows created villains, and dappled sunlight illuminated the path to a happy ending.

We deride social media for encroaching on the wellspring of ideas. Our minds are seldom allowed the freedom of downtime. The minute we disconnect, we grow anxious. We fear we will miss something important, and feel uncomfortable, no longer friends with silence. Our hands shake, we break out in cold sweats, and we hallucinate thinking we hear our phone beep. We are strung out on technology’s constant stimulation and in need of intervention.

In some ways, COVID-19 has redeemed Social Media’s value. When we are forced into practicing social isolation, and social distancing, it provides a way for us to stay connected. We have become reliant on it for work, school, and any interactions we would typically have outside the home. But it has also fueled a surge in creativity. When we unplug, when we allow our mind the quiet it craves, creativity comes out to play.

How will you nurture your imagination today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Security is a scarce commodity. Uncertainty has replaced peace of mind, social distancing preempts heartfelt embraces and customary greetings, and worry permeates our once-normal life. With daily reports detailing hospital admissions and death counts, I can’t imagine how anyone can be truly happy.

I have heard people relate stories of harrowing experiences. They speak of job loss, illness, dire accidents, emotional trauma, and other life-altering events. You would expect the end of the story to reflect despair, anguish, fear, and total surrender. But. unexpectedly, they say, “it was the best thing that could have happened.” I stand in awe.

These people are survivors. Their spirit is powerful. I know they felt every raw emotion imaginable, cried never-ending tears, and wondered if they would ever recover. The one constant is their ability to find wonder. They grab hold of one thought, one goal, one reason to live. They develop the power to stay laser-focused. You can see it in their eyes. Through their ordeal, they have discovered joy.

Where do you find joy?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

“Happy Easter” seems so understated, anti-climactic, and wistful this year. The transition from sluggish winter to Spring exuberance is overshadowed by feelings of isolation, confusion, and grief. Everyone is struggling with the fallout from the virus. Data indications the spread is slowing, but nothing is certain. Humans are social, and in challenging times we come together for support. A practice that is contrary to scientific advice.

This time of year has a long tradition in surviving dark, difficult days. History tells us our ancestors face dwindling stores of food. Hunger was a reality to be survived until spring restored the land and provided new sources of sustenance. There is evidence of ancient civilizations holding vernal celebrations. The season of renewal seems premature. We link celebrations with overcoming adversity or reaching our goals. Yet we are still practicing safe social contact and are adjusting to new ways of thinking.

Family members have arranged watch parties. We coordinate online service attendance, apart and still together. Through Internet connections, we hold hands. Hope unites us and strengthens us. We honor the sacrifices, no matter how small, each of us makes every day, secure in the knowledge we will defeat the virus.

How will you celebrate today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I’m an optimist. The choice was easy, pessimists are way too depressing. As a child, I remember watching people spout gloom and doom, they predicted the sky’s falling and swore we were going to hell in a handbasket. I trembled in my shoes, cowered under my covers, and prayed the boogeyman wouldn’t creep from under my bed to carry me into the night. Each morning the sun arrived to banish the darkness, and a brilliant blue sky buoyed my hope.

Their predictions rarely came true, and I learned to dismiss their warnings. Perhaps I was precocious when I challenged the status quo, and dared to seek the silver lining. I looked for evidence to discredit their opinions. I imagined a wonderful future, filled with opportunities, and smooth sailing. Not that I don’t have negative thoughts or feel depressed, overwhelmed, and discouraged. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, recognizing negative thoughts, confronting them, and challenging their validity puts you on the path to optimism.

Life can be awful, scary, and uncertain. But the fact is, change is constant. There is a saying that everything comes to pass, but nothing comes to stay. So, I can focus on the negative, and drown in misery, or embrace the option of celebrating the rain, smelling the roses, and creating a bright future.

What excites you about tomorrow?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The disaster movie begins. The dreaded event finally happens, and hundreds scream and run. Others stand slack-jawed, frozen. The hero leaps into action. He saves lost children from certain death, directs the terrified mob toward a safe area, and prods the fear-stricken into motion. What sets the hero apart from the crowd? Is he a freak of nature? Brave beyond imagination?

When you dissect the movie’s plotline, you often find the character’s backstory shows he has been predicting the calamity, has run multiple scenarios, and devised a survival plan. Police, firefighters, pilots, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and others spend years training and developing their emergency reactions. They conduct drills, learning what to expect when the unexpected hits. You don’t need extensive practice to have a strategy.

I am a worrier — a worrier with purpose. Whenever I find myself concerned about a situation, I develop action steps to help me deal with the crisis when/if it occurs. I then share my proposals with family members. Some of my solutions sound silly. The family knows when and where to meet if we become separated in the grocery store. We practice procedures in case of a house fire, a tornado, or a snowstorm. The wonderful thing about a plan is the ability to make tweaks as reality dictates. The household can pivot and absorb those changes with little communication because they have a framework.

We are facing many unknowns, and we are worried. If ever there was a time to combat valid concerns with sensible, thoughtful, imaginative plans, it is now. I am optimistic and ready to press on.

What plans are you making?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I work on a word count basis and track my results. However, my daily word count is nowhere near three thousand words. Lately, I have struggled with the blank page. It is not surprising given the confused state of my brain. Some days I generate only a handful of unintelligible words. Other times I discover sentences, paragraphs, and pages completed by the end of my writing session. I am always surprised when I have a productive day.

Thankfully, I had a firmly established daily writing habit before stay-at-home orders, and social distancing messed with my headspace. It is a ritual I try to maintain regardless of the challenges I face. I don’t worry about the adjustments we are facing because I have been here before. When I first began along this path, I was lucky to manage one hundred words. My writing was sporadic, and it was rare for me to write on consecutive days.

Setbacks happen, life throws curve balls and we have choices to make. We can sit in the bleachers, wring our hands, fret and worry or we can take an at-bat. Standing at the plate is scary. Babe Ruth, the home run king, also led the league in strikeouts five times. He accumulated 1,330 strikeouts during his career. Not every swing will connect. I expect plenty of misses. Every day I swing for the fences.

Will you step up to the plate today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Current global events highlight how short and fragile life can be. 2020 is a stark reminder that we did not receive any warranties or guarantees. It is our responsibility to treat every day as precious and live it. Waiting for spring has taken considerable patience. Now April rains dampen my world, and misty mornings leave the muddy ground a squidgy quagmire that is best avoided. I rejoice because it is rain and not snow. I shed multiple layers as daily temperatures steadily creep higher, daylight grows longer. I commend the brave tulips as they push golden-green leaves into the sunlight.

The darkness recedes, and nature responds. Buds swell on bushes and trees, and the weight of winter lifts. It is time to sing, play and celebrate life. We need not make drastic changes, we already possess the skills to enjoy a more fulfilled existence. We have shining examples of people nurturing positive relationships and supporting one another. Unexpected beacons light the way by practicing gratitude and appreciation for the blessings we have, while we mourn the suffering and loss.

The present crisis will end. Today’s reactions slowly pass into history, as we take steps towards recovery. Actions define our character, hone our values, and distinguish our humanity. I am confident future generations will view these days with awe and respect for the fortitude we display.

Where do you find joy today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I don’t know about you, but gray is my least favorite color. The trend of gray kitchens, gray barn wood flooring, gray countertops, and walls painted—wait for it—gray leaves me more depressed than I care to admit. The weather doesn’t cooperate when it sends gray, dreary, rainy days and I would rather spend my time on a misty moor crying for Heathcliff.

Whatever happened to sunny yellows, loving pinks, and gleeful greens? There is a school of thought which says color therapy helps improve our mood, heighten awareness and energy, decrease stress, reduce anxiety, and increase our productivity. True or not, opting for bright hues seems prudent.

Spring greens can support feelings of hope, strength, and serenity. Sky blue encourages peaceful thoughts, wisdom, creativity, loyalty, and spirituality. Clear, energetic yellow, my personal favorite, just makes me feel happier.

What color will you add to your life?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

They say the best stories reflect life. My experience says life is messy, difficult, filled with trials and tribulations. If the tales we write were all about rainbows and unicorns, they would feel unreal, unbelievable, and the reader would soon throw the book across the room. Or I would.

Writing fiction riddled with gloom, doom, and terror would be equally unsatisfactory. Mired in deep despair, when all is lost, I search, hunting for a glimmer, a flickering light beckoning at the tunnel’s end. I fervently hope the light is not a freight train barreling toward me. Lost causes, desperate situations hide miraculous resolutions. Wayward heroes discover novel ways to set things right. Despondent characters unearth a reason to carry on. Novels that give me a reason to hope are the ones I cherish.

How do you balance light and dark in your stories?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Anything worth experiencing takes effort. When we lack a focused resolution, it is easy to find ourselves consumed by life’s crazy whirlwind of doubts, fears, anxiety, and hopelessness. Without thinking, we sink into predictable patterns of consuming massive amounts of data and trying to process complex concepts faster than any supercomputer. Feeling confused and overwhelmed, we plead for five minutes of silence. Is it any wonder we cope by vegging on the couch? Or we can make a different choice.

My alarm rings at 5 AM, and I force myself out of bed. No one else is awake, and calmness perfumes the air. I move in pre-dawn stillness as I brew my coffee. My oversized mug steams when I step onto my deck and wipe the dew from my chair. These early morning hours hold a special magic. Photographs cannot capture the beauty or brilliant promises on the horizon.

Songbirds sing, squirrels scamper, and a rabbit nibbles the tender growth in my strawberry patch. I snuggle into my warm jacket, sip my hot coffee, and discover I have found happiness. This quiet moment reminds me of the true value of simple things. These five minutes set me on a hopeful trajectory.

What brings you happiness?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer