February bombarded us with an overabundance of snow, freezing temperatures, pervasive gloom, and enough hardship to make anyone want to cave in, give up, and abandon all hope. Added to bleak despair, we suffered cabin fever under the burden of lockdowns, social distancing, and deprivation of human connections. Yet, when the superfluous is stripped away, we expose interesting hidden discoveries to daylight and sometimes uncomfortable examinations.

It is easy to forget who we really are. We become trapped by the roles we play. The labels we accept as a parent, spouse, dutiful daughter, loving son, friend, employee, entrepreneur, runner, teacher, lifelong learner, breadwinner, cook, philanthropist, reader – they all inflict a specific set of assumptions on us. We allow ourselves to get caught up being who we think we ought to be. We obsess over living up to other’s expectations and trying to achieve the ideal image portrayed by an empty facade. No one thing is a pure reflection of our true selves.

When the only soul left to speak with is you, what do you find? Is it the part of yourself you are afraid to see? Do you fear having to take responsibility for yourself and commit to making the changes you keep promising yourself? Or maybe you hide from the ferocious drooling monster lurking in deep dark recesses of your inner being. You know, the one who sabotages your every effort to connect with the greatness of the real you. Those are genuine possibilities. But you might uncover acceptance, compassion, understanding, and perhaps the forgiveness you have been searching for in all the wrong places. If you are honest with your core and daring enough to stare your demon in the eye, you may be lucky and discover your passion.

In “Reflections on the Art of Living,” Joseph Campbell writes, “Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the source of what you are looking for.”

What lights the fire in your soul?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Chaos ensues, mayhem reigns, the timid cower beneath their desks, and I alone face the bombardment. Ok, maybe that’s a bit overdramatic, but then again, perhaps not. While we can’t always control what happens, we can determine our response. It is almost amusing when everyone is screaming, yelling, and running around in circles from sheer panic. I choose to step back, access the facts, weigh the gravity of the situation, consider my options, consult my procedures and protocol, make a decision, and act. Or not. I learned long ago, some events will sort themselves out without my involvement, while others demand swift and decisive action.

The necessity of a quick reaction is where planning, list-making, and employing a moment to think through different scenarios to their ultimate consequence comes into play. Moments like this are why I maintain daily schedules, weekly agendas, monthly forecasts, quarterly projections, and annual goals. Working through the process is excellent training for emergencies, and it helps to mitigate the number of catastrophes that occur.

Like Mary, the simple technique of creating a checklist of what needs to be done eases my anxiety and calms my mind. If I relied on my brain to remember every single one of the countless tasks, promises, and commitments I have made, I would become a blithering idiot. I can’t forget what I am supposed to be doing because I wrote it on a piece of paper. Now, where did I put my list?

Do you keep a To-Do list?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Is your destiny written in the stars? Your daily horoscope can offer insight on whether you will meet your soul mate today or if your best option is hiding under the covers. Interpretations from the heavenly bodies influence many, offering guidance with their decisions. Others scoff at relying on unproven theories.

Our society places great value on truth, science, and a preponderance of accepted evidence. We use those agreed-upon facts to support our tradition of enlightenment and to explain our world. A sensible person believes in the well explained. They disregard the existence of wonder, dismiss awe, question the possibility of miracles, and discount the surprise of serendipity. We satisfy our interests with a quick internet search. Studies show the individuals who are eager to explore, accept risks, and dig deeper into “why” are more innovative than others.

They say curiosity drives creativity, and creativity takes us on non-linear paths through sometimes embarrassing happenstance. To tap into our creative side means we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Creativity is messy, and it forces us to move things, change perspectives, and experiment. We must develop a willingness to laugh, play, and flirt with genius. The inspiration is within your reach. You only need to look at the stars.

Will you be curious today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I’ve always maintained a glass-half-full attitude. Optimism is my middle name, and living where the sky is in constant danger of falling has never sounded very enjoyable. Besides, nobody respects the gloom and doom friend, who warns us someone will poke out an eye or suffer from a million other dire predictions. My guess is, those are tales mothers tell their children, hoping they will sit down and be quiet for five minutes. But being optimistic has a dark side.

I devour calendars, planners, and To-Do lists to help keep me organized, productive, and on track. Long ago, I developed a severe allergic reaction to forgetting something, being late for appointments, and otherwise dropping the ball. Planning and strategizing have saved my cookies on many occasions. But lately, my optimism has been running amok with my normal well-functioning routine. The sneaky devil had overloaded my already ambitious Daily agenda. When I checked my Quarterly Plan, I discovered more tasks than most people complete in an entire year. No wonder I am worn out, exhausted, and constantly feeling like I am months behind schedule with no hope of reaching my goals.

My “Yes You Can” fiend went berserk and said, “Yes” to everything. I’m no slacker. Binge-watching TV shows or watching movies I have already seen is not entertaining to me. I play a few games on my phone, but weeks and months pass when I forget they are there. Between the 9-5, family obligations, a home remodeling project, and brainstorming my current WIP, it is easy to log eighteen-hour days of non-stop work. The equation where I am working hard and still falling short of my targets does not compute. The little monster and I have scheduled a mandatory meeting.

Do you have to curb your optimism?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I love decadent Sunday mornings. The luxury of spending just one more minute snuggled under a warm, fluffy, duvet is a rare gift. I like to keep my morning simple, and my first order of business is a cup of steamy, strong, black coffee. Adding to my self-indulgence is a regal, weekend-only treat.

I am a croissant connoisseur. A croissant snob. They must be delicate, flaky, light, and oh so buttery.  I prefer them gently warmed. Few things are more extravagant than a homemade, perfectly baked, golden moon, plucked directly from the oven. You can hold the chocolate, almonds, powdered sugar, whipped cream, pastry cream, figs, raspberries, apples, bananas, the Nutella, and even that extra pat of butter.

The idea that croissants are fait maison, and eaten immediately is a dream, and I resort to my neighborhood bakery.  Set on a plain white plate, essential for containing the flaky crumb fallout, I alternate a delirious bite with a sip of earthy coffee. My morning explodes into ascending levels of pleasure.  One is never enough. Three, however, is far too many.

What is your favorite breakfast ritual?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity lately. What makes one person creative and another less? Julia Cameron says, “Creativity is like crabgrass.” It exists in everyone and requires only the tiniest bit of care to grow and flourish and overtake the world. Yet for homeowners who desire a cultivated yard the neighborhood envies, crabgrass is the weedy, invasive, unattractive bane to their existence. You will find them trying every trick in the book to prevent, kill, contain, and eradicate this pesky growth from their lawn.

When we envision the seeds of creativity, I bet most of us have a different picture. Perhaps it takes the form of a glorious, fragile, and fastidious orchid, a mighty oak, a hibiscus, a scarlet maple, or another majestic and breath-taking beauty. Maybe it is a cute little viola, a feathery fern, a lush weeping willow, or an apple tree that bears tantalizing fruit. Crabgrass? Who wants that? We want over-the-top, awe-inspiring visionary works of art, not an ugly weed.

But we must start somewhere. An orchid’s natural habitat extends from the equatorial tropics to the arctic tundra and everywhere in between, while oak trees need decades to mature. What is wrong with starting with an easy project and building your confidence? There is too much pressure in producing perfection on your first try. It’s not glamorous. Agents won’t appear on your doorstep, nobody will offer thousands of dollars for your efforts, and your family might call you crazy. Tell them you prefer the term eccentric and keep going. Find something creative to do every day of your life.

What will you create today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Friday. This one feels different. Snow is melting, the sun is shining, temperatures slowly creep into the realm of warmth, and the prognosticators aren’t calling for any form of precipitation until Tuesday. Granted, forty-five degrees is a tad too nippy to sit outside and write, but maybe I can crack open a window for a while, breathe the cool, invigorating air, and imagine an adventure.

Will the Gods smile on our intrepid protagonist, or will the evil villain devise surprising pitfalls to thwart our favorite heroes and doom them to certain failure? A ship. There must be a creaky Schooner, captained by a despicable, dirty, cheating, low life, with a soft spot in his heart for the hapless adventurers and a sense of loyalty to his beloved cause that is deeper and wider than any ocean. No drama is worth telling without a trusty sidekick, whose buffoonish comments somehow always contain a kernel of truth or the key to escaping the current dire situation. Along the way, they encounter peasants, kings, and scoundrels to add color to their journey.

Their task is impossible. A fool’s errand destined to send the entire band to an early grave. Tests of character greet them at every turn and make them question their sanity. Maybe the prophecy is wrong, and our hero only believes she is the golden child, and saving the world belongs to someone more capable. In the hero’s darkest hour, Fate intervenes, golden-winged messengers deliver a swift kick in the pants that alters her perspective and renews her resolve to fight the final battle.

Ok, pep-talk to self, complete. It is time to find my desk, hang my Do Not Disturb sign, and work on creating storylines and developing my characters. With luck, I hope to devote many productive hours to brainstorming this weekend.

What stories will you create?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The universe is full of signs. Signs she wants us to recognize, internalize, and maximize. She can be subtle, but she becomes annoyed when you do not pick up on the breadcrumbs she strews in your path. Prepare for a rude awakening if you are preoccupied, obtuse, and don’t notice. Your lack of awareness guarantees she smacks you right between the eyes with the message you’ve been missing.

It happened to me yesterday as I sorted through a backlog of less important emails. I was quite bored, somewhat distracted, and anticipating this specific chore’s completion. Bargaining with myself, I agreed to open one last email, and this sentence hit me, “The unexpected is to be expected.” I sat in stunned silence. Even the soothing playlist crooning from my earbuds faded from my consciousness. The world shifted on its axis, my perspective changed, and the trail markers I passed without seeing now came into focus.

The sudden glitches, the perceived brick walls, and the uncontrollable forward movement followed by the whiplashing abrupt stops weren’t problems. Well, they felt like complications I needed to solve before this phrase altered my outlook. Fresh eyes viewed them as gifts. The most arduous way to climb a steep mountain is to draw a straight, narrow course and proceed by staying on the shortest route. Seasoned hikers ascend the same summit by following natural grades, utilizing switchbacks, and conserving their energy. The road they follow may entail more covered miles, but the journey develops a unique beauty when you move slower, stop at the junctions labeled as a “Scenic Viewpoint,” and enjoy the picture postcards laid out before you.

Chances are you will still reach your destination ahead of those walking the straight line.

Have you taken a moment to enjoy your journey’s views?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

This quote tickled me. There are characters in my brain who would object to others questioning their existence. They have just started speaking with me, so I don’t want to offend them and risk losing the astonishing tales they are sharing with me. It places a tremendous responsibility on my shoulders. I feel an obligation to them, to the stories they whisper in my ears and etch upon my heart.

As a writer, I need to convey my friends as believable and fascinating individuals. Their magical powers are stunning in my imagination, and my burden is to describe in mere words the wonder and enchantment that fills the air when they touch the mystical realm and make it visible to a simple mortal. Each of them interacts and accesses their abilities in different ways. One tells me she is wrapped in a bolt of lightning, while another says she breathes the power into her fingertips. I take notes, ask questions, and attempt to get to the core of what makes them tick.

If I do my job well, I will introduce my dear companions to cherished readers in a way that is as animated and memorable as I see them. My fondest desire is for them to no longer exist only in my head. I want to share these unique creatures with the world. I hope my skills are sufficient for the task ahead.

How do you tell your character’s stories?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It is easy to get discouraged. We make plans to improve our lives, transform our trajectory, and help others. The moment we set our intention to change, the universe takes notice. The cosmos believes it knows best, and everything is running fine. Who are we to step out of line and mess with perfection?

I am not interested in living with the status quo or setting incremental goals that only require marginal increases. Minor improvements allow the concept of failure to seep into our expectations when we are not looking. Thoughts like, “I’ve done this before,” or “this is a cake-walk.” invites us to take our foot from the gas pedal and let our eyes stray from the prize.

Overcoming pushback is crucial, requiring concentration and determination, regardless of the goal’s scope or complexity. Whatever the goal’s size, the stamina to overcome inertia is similar. Studies show challenging objectives correlate with greater expected satisfaction. Why waste the initial outlay of internal strength required to begin the journey on anything less than spectacular results? Whether I endeavor to move a mountain or a molehill, I must first gather the will to act.

With that in mind, I plan to beat the odds, surpass my perceived limitations, and dream big. I won’t be wasting my time and energy on modest intentions; I am reaching for the stars.

Have you set lofty goals?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer