Would you rather have a Friday or a Wednesday? Thursday? Saturday? Sunday? Monday?? Scratch that. Nobody likes Mondays. I hold a deep appreciation for Fridays, and it’s not the classic reason everybody always gives. For me, the best thing about Friday is the opportunity to rectify my minor transgressions from the week. My co-workers have made an art of avoiding work. They chat about their awe-inspiring weekend plans while surreptitiously clock watching and trying to gauge the earliest possible moment they can make a mad dash for the exit. There’s a controlled dance of not trampling their friends or giving away how much they really hate their jobs.

I am human, and the door key beacons and taunts me too. Impending freedom is so close. I only need to reach out, turn the key, and open the door. But an invisible chain shackles me to the clock and my appointed quitting time. The easiest method for reaching my destination is to fill those hours, not clock-watching, but catching up on minor annoying tasks, returning emails, revising spreadsheets, or planning the coming week.

Filling the day with tiny productive steps helps make the time seem to move faster. It’s an entertaining game to see if I can squeeze in everything before I become part of the stampeding herd.

What is your favorite thing about Fridays?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Life is a series of never-ending challenges, and I have the To-Do list to prove it. Tying to return to pre-vacation scheduling is causing more than the usual number of headaches. Everything feels out of whack, off track, and running on the edge of disaster. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but that isn’t my fault. Restoring order and domestic tranquility sounds like a deceptively simple process. Yet, it requires mountains of effort, too much time, and the glacial pace is quickly eroding the positive benefits of my break.

That wouldn’t do. I realized I was declaring myself a failure by using the wrong measuring standards. This wasn’t a normal week, the default settings changed, but my expectations hadn’t. So, I took a deep breath and switched tactics. Sometimes the answer to bolstering our determination, improving our morale, and producing an overwhelming sense of triumph is to concentrate on a single, modest element. There is immense power in one tiny accomplishment that we can move to the completed column.

With a point in the win column, we have a valid reason to pat ourselves on the back and do a little victory dance. With one detail resolved, we are free to finish the next item. The wins accumulate like pearls in a necklace. It can make all the difference.

What small win can you make happen today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Barely two days back into life after an amazing break, and I find myself confused. I woke this morning, and although I was in my bed, I did not know where I was. Worse yet, I didn’t have a clue what day it was. My brain kept insisting today was Saturday. The normal annoyance of the 9 to 5 demands escalated to DEFCON 1 in a matter of minutes. You’d be annoyed too if your boss kept emailing, texting, and calling you for reports while you were in the middle of creating your backyard Margaritaville. Flamingo wrangling is strenuous work, and they don’t mix well with the parrots. Speaking of parrots—did you know some of them use fowl language?

Where there were once neat, ordered procedures, carefully designed schedules, and the soothing buzz of an efficient, well-oiled machine working in the background, chaos now reigns. The cupboards are bare, crushed cereal covers the rugs, family members stage duels for the last clean towel, and nobody has seen the cat for over a week. Food disappears from the bowl, so I assume either Furball has donned his invisibility cloak, or we have other unwanted guests.

There is always a price to pay for taking a vacation. Last-minute, unplanned departures mean zero preparation for a smooth reentry to domestic routines. It might take a few more days, but everything will be okay. Even if it isn’t, there’s booze in the blender, and the real Saturday is almost here.

How do you deal with chaos?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

During my break, I indulged in two activities it seems I never have time for—exploring and reading. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of being in an unfamiliar place. An ordinary trail could lead to a secret garden teeming with talking flowers, a mysterious treasure-filled cavern, or the portal to another world. You never know. Surprises might lurk around the next bend, or perhaps they will appear as you crest the hilltop. Your heart races, your sweaty hand grips the small black talisman that tethers you to safety, and you dare to stride off into the vast unknown.

Not only did I log a few miles, but I also indulged in my favorite way to read, cover to cover, in one sitting. The feeling was decadent, addicting, and so I did it a second time. Two books started and finished in two days made me feel like a marathon gold medalist and a lottery winner. No waiting to discover the villain’s secret weapon or see if the hero lives or dies. Nope. Just turn the page and keep reading. Heart pumping thrills received immediate gratification. The beauty and oddities of strange worlds unfolded at fast as I could read.

Both adventures imparted similar outcomes. They exposed me to new experiences, triggered ideas, and shook loose some long-forgotten thoughts. Some of them may one day work their way into a tale or ten. Now, if I could only find my notes.

What fuels your imagination?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Since June 2018, I have been posting here daily, which translated into my daily writing habit. Every day, despite snow, rain, heat, or the gloom of night, nothing stayed my pen from completing my daily task. So, when an unexpected opportunity came my way to disconnect, unplug every device, and disappear into the vast unknown for two weeks, I hesitated. Until a dear friend reminded me that unbreakable habits prevent us from experiencing the joy of being spontaneous, carefree, surprised, and inspired.

Upon hearing those words, Mistress Muse kicked me in the butt, demanded I pack my bags and leave immediately. She is rather bossy, you know. I followed her orders. The internet connection was sporadic, emails went unanswered, and calls slipped into voicemail without my knowledge. I ate when I was hungry, slept when I felt tired, and followed a rhythmic existence that bore no resemblance to my everyday life.

I took walks, listened to birds, and rediscovered the quiet voice the world too often prevents us from hearing. The road altered my perspective, strengthened my resolve, and supported the creation of different thought processes. I emerged rested, calm, centered, but also invigorated, and ready to face new challenges.

Who knew I needed a hard reset? Mistress Muse is making faces at me, and she insists I deliver a detailed debriefing posthaste. We are back, and I have a funny feeling she will ensure I am extremely productive in the coming weeks and months.

Have you ever taken an extended break?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

April showers, they say, bring May flowers. But this Spring has been a dry one for my area. The data shows that compared with annual averages for the last four months, we are running at a 4-inch precipitation deficit. That hasn’t stopped my feet. They somehow make it their mission to sink my shoes into every puddle, damp spot, or hidden sloppy mucky area within walking distance. There are few things more annoying than wet, cold, squishy feet.

Right now, I don’t mind too much. Birdsongs fill my daily walks, and tender green shoots, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths make me smile. Lilac, Viburnum, Honeysuckle, and Purple-leaf Sand Cherry bushes provide pleasant scent sensations, and they motivate me to return to enjoy the short-lived fragrances. I monitor the azalea bushes and the dogwood trees as their buds swell and burst into bloom. The slushy swale at the bottom of my backyard always surprises me and sucks me into the muck, even though I know it is there.

Soon, summer blooms will replace spring blossoms, and my vegetable garden’s demand for water will exceed Mother Nature’s supply. Any summer rainfall is a welcome relief, and one less gallon I need to carry to ensure a steady supply of tomatoes, basil, and peppers. The prediction for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday is rain, and I, for one, am happy to endure the showers so my plants can grow.

What is your favorite part of Spring?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

We live in an impatient world. Who doesn’t want everything faster, better, cheaper? And I have a proven track record—I lack patience. I am a rabid proponent of making things simple with an uncomplicated roadmap towards accomplishing my goals. Straight forward, easy-to-understand procedures, logical steps, clear guidelines, and well-thought-out strategies rule my day. Shortcuts, however, are not part of my program. I’ve never met a proposed alternate route that hasn’t cost more money, time, and work than following the intended path. Let’s face it when you watch a movie, and one character proclaims they know a shortcut, we recognize the group is in serious trouble.

The problem with shortcuts is they encourage us to accept speed over quality. Taking the easy way out doesn’t guarantee success, quite the contrary. Opting to short circuit established guidelines puts you on a path littered with avoidable difficulties, annoying problems, and eventual failure. “Good enough” rarely satisfies anyone, and we often spend more effort reworking, fixing, and apologizing for poor outcomes. No one rewards mediocre results. The accolades go to the players at the top of their game, and those who provide exceptional quality.

Blood, sweat, and tears, guts, determination, and a desire for excellence are the mile markers lining the road to success. When it comes to attaining anything worthwhile or meaningful in life, there are no shortcuts, no get-rich-quick methods, no overnight sensations. Businesses take years to reach millions of customers, artists work for a lifetime to hone their craft, and we gain experience in tiny incremental segments with each passing day. Thought, diligence, and sustained effort carry you further than selecting the simple yet wrong way.

What are you working toward today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It was an accident—a string of unfortunate incidents leading to my little discovery. Are you ready for a story? Then stick with me. When I started my planning for 2021, I discovered they changed the format of my favorite planner. The changes were deal breakers for me, and so I embarked on an exhausting, pain-in-the-butt process of finding a new planner that checked all my must-have buttons. I didn’t find a year-long calendar to fit my needs, but I found a 90-day, undated version I thought I might like. Apprehensive and not wanting to commit, I ordered one copy.

Q1, 2021 saw me venturing outside my box and loving it until it came time to order the book for Q2. Cue the dramatic music. They listed my new favorite as sold out, with no availability date noted. I contacted customer service, and they said they expected a shipment in June or July. They might as well have told me it was gone forever because I was back to beating the bushes to find a suitable replacement. I settled on another 90-day planner and ordered 4 of them. You understand. I wasn’t going through this chore again, and the company offered a buy 3-get-1 free deal.

Being between a rock and a hard place, I figured I would make it work. Each day is on a 2-page spread. It turns out I like attempt number two, even better than my first trial version. I liked the page one layout, but I was dubious about the second page that they billed as a spot for doodles, overflow information, and—cue more dramatic music—an area to journal.

Yeah, I hate journaling, and I have burned my previous journals in sacrificial bonfires for self-serving vanities. But this is different, and the additional blank space is an enormous advantage. I use it for notes, scribblings of idle thoughts, and random, half-formed mental images, or what I call word vomit. I have learned this insignificant exercise, un-kinks the hose, and lets the words I want to write gush onto the page. It is becoming part of my writing ritual.

How do you start your writing session?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yes, Virginia, creativity requires courage and an ample supply of bravery. What other pursuit requires you to bare your soul, put your heart and mind, and your blood, sweat, and tears into inventing every line in a piece? Then when you finish, you must push your baby into the world for the critics to eviscerate?

Courage and bravery are keys to facing your fear. You’ve been there. You’ve stood on the brink, staring at a formidable project that scares the crap out of you. And you wonder if you dare to accept the assignment or if you should walk away. If the soul of a creative person lives inside you, then exercising your creativity is not an option. Your drive to create, to imagine that your dreams and wishes are more than gossamer thoughts, fuels your brave warrior.

The fighter must learn the Litany Against Fear:

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
― Frank Herbert, Dune

A funny thing happens when you face your fears head-on – the situations that scare you contain opportunities for growth, healing, and stunning accomplishments. When you dare to attempt something no one else would consider, you set yourself on a course of acquiring skills, insights, and perspectives that are unique to you. You cultivate rare gifts, and those gifts are more precious than rubies.

How brave will you be today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The best things about Sundays are the total lack of expectations. It comes with a sense of personal freedom and the license to do whatever you feel like doing. This Sunday morning calls for partly cloudy skies, a chance of rain, and temperatures near 40 degrees. Perfect weather for a long brisk walk to get the blood pumping, muscles moving, and the brain thinking about something other than the ever-present To-do list.

Working from home eliminated my hour-long daily commute and created space in my schedule to get outside and stretch my legs. I didn’t realize how much I missed walking. In high school, I didn’t have a car. So if I wanted to go somewhere, I walked or rode my bike. They designed college campuses for walking, which saved me from the dreaded Freshman fifteen. My first job after graduation required a mile walk between the train station and the office. It didn’t matter if it snowed with sub-zero temps or you sweltered in unbearable heat with no relief from a cooling lake breeze. Classes, jobs, and responsibilities don’t care if you need an umbrella, a change of shoes in your briefcase, or hats, scarves, and mittens.

Somewhere along the way, getting outside became optional and demanded perfect conditions. I fell out of the daily routine and out of practice. There was a time when I could cover a mile in about fifteen minutes, which works out to about 4 miles per hour. But since I restarted this spring, my mile pace is taking almost twenty minutes, or a 3 MPH pace. This will never do. I have a new goal. I can always count on my competitive personality to turn a relaxing walk into another opportunity to measure, record, and monitor my progress.

How do you spend your Sundays?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer