Joy and Gratitude During Difficult Times – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

life-is-a-song-sing-it.-life-is-a-game-play-it.-life-is-a-challenge-meet-it.-life-is-a-dream-realize-it.-life-is-a-sacrifice-offer-it.-life-is-love-enjoy-it.-sai-baba-

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

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 8

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 99 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Color Your World – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

your-attitude-is-like-a-box-of-crayons-that-color-your-world.-constantly-color-your-picture-gray-and-your-picture-will-always-be-bleak.-try-adding-some-bright-colors-to-the-picture-by

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

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 7

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 98 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Feeding the Soul – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: Feeding the Soul
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story that includes pizza.
Word count:  99 words

person standing and making dough

Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash

Saffron sunk the measuring cup into the container. The flour poofed, and billowing white clouds dusted the counter. The scent of yeast permeated the kitchen, as she worked the tacky, gloppy mess until it formed a loose ball.

The heel of her hand pushed into the dough and rolled it to its starting point. She kneaded the dough to a silky smoothness. After a quick rise, she created a rough circle and added simple toppings. The hot oven melted the mozzarella and browned the crust on her classic Margherita Pizza.

Accolades were nice, but baking was its own reward.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Light in the Darkness – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

wherever-my-story-takes-me-however-dark-and-difficult-the-theme-there-is-always-some-hope-and-redemption-not-because-readers-like-happy-endings-but-because-i-am-an-optimist-at-heart.-i

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

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 6

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 97 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Home Sweet Souvenir – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 10 Comments

Title: Home Sweet Souvenir
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt # 151 – Keepsake
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 49 words

woman sitting on window inside room

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Every penny went to pay the mortgage on my first house. Cash for furnishings was in short supply.

The family dubbed me the Keepsake Klepto when they discovered their sentimental items decorating my home.

Laughing, they let me keep their kitsch, saying it was cheaper than a garage sale.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The Quest for Happiness – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 14 Comments

the-thing-were-all-looking-for-is-happiness-and-if-we-achieve-just-a-modicum-of-that-or-even-a-little-piece-of-serenity-even-for-five-minutes-a-day-were-very-lucky.-mel-gibson

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

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 5

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 96 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer