The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 30

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Longing to Return to Familiar Haunts, Friendly Faces, and the Inspiration of Coffee Time – Daily Quote

Friends bring happiness into your life. Best friends bring coffee. Anonymous

Through the entire pandemic, I have missed one thing—meeting friends for coffee. As an ardent introvert, social distancing and staying at home had little effect on my lifestyle. Honestly, I enjoyed the break from the obligations of holiday parties, meet and greets, and other mandatory social functions. But the abrupt halt to one-on-one time with my friends at our favorite coffee shop delivered a blow like an ice pick to my heart. There was also the adjustment that I could no longer settle into a comfy coffee shop chair with my laptop and write. I found the sounds of frothing milk and clinking cups provided wonderful background inspiration for a prolific writing session.

This week the weather turned pleasant. Some restrictions lifted, and we made our first tentative steps towards returning to a life we once took for granted. We didn’t sit inside. Instead, we enjoyed a pleasant catch-up session on the patio. Coffee, stimulating conversation, warm sunshine, and a gentle breeze lifted my spirits more than any Zoom call ever could. Making coffee at home and drinking it alone is a poor substitute for a barista’s practiced pour. It’s impossible to duplicate an atmosphere where the proximity of fellow patrons encourages you to eschew social media and work on your project. There is nothing like the ability of a half-heard conversation to deliver the precise word you need for a sentence. An observed gesture can perfectly describe your main character’s movement.

I’ve always appreciated the thoughtfulness of my friends when they surprise me with a dose of go-juice. That simple curtsy has become a treasure more valuable than gold, an event to be remembered, and proof of our best friend status.

What have you missed most?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 29

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Resist the Impulse to Accept Your Easy Button – Daily Quote

It’s the weekend. Do something that your future self will thank you for. Anonymous

It’s hard to believe it is Friday again. This week, I finished a handful of long-standing, annoying, never-can-seem-to-finish jobs, and it felt incredible when I crossed them off my To-Do list. But whoever said, “when one door closes, another one opens,” was dead wrong. My week offered a fire-hose-fueled torrent of inspiration, new ideas, and eye-opening experiences, and now my list is longer than ever before. When I filter my Excel Master List, it shows 27 completed projects with 38 more in various stages of completion. I’m thrilled to see movement in the right direction. Even though the original 208 lines have increased, I don’t feel overwhelmed. It adds to my excitement, encourages me to keep working, and gives me multiple reasons to celebrate.

I’m a firm believer in acknowledging your success, no matter how small the win may seem. There are days when getting out of bed is a major victory. Today I am hosting a party to congratulate myself on my hard-won achievements.  I’ll pat myself on the back for my persistence in seeing the job not only done but completed to the best of my ability and for possessing a vision and attempting something that will make life a little better. It would have been easy on Monday for me to roll over and go back to sleep, but I didn’t. On Tuesday, I could have admitted defeat when the work seemed impossible, but I didn’t. It would have been convenient to cancel my Wednesday coffee date with a friend, but I didn’t. Today, I know those choices made all the difference.

What did you accomplish this week that makes you proud today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 28

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 27

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Ditch Your Doubts and Fears Now is the Time to Chase Your Dreams – Daily Quote

inaction-breeds-doubt-and-fear.-action-breeds-confidence-and-courage.-if-you-want-to-conquer-fear-do-not-sit-home-and-think-about-it.-go-out-and-get-busy.-dale-carnegie

5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Action. Get up. Get moving. Level up.

We’re all guilty. A thought forms, generating an urge to start something. Perhaps I should write a few words in my diary, run the dishwasher, or exercise. But I hesitate. The couch is comfy. Besides I don’t feel like writing, I’m not inspired, and my journal is in the next room. The dishes can wait for another commercial break, and didn’t the weather forecast call for rain? A must-see episode is starting, so I’ll settle in, get comfy, and nothing awful will happen.

The problem is nothing good will happen either. You won’t advance towards your cherished dreams, inspiration and opportunities won’t be knocking on your door, and your dignity will disappear into a dark basement corner. It’s not your fault. It is your brain’s primal impulse for survival. When you pause, your brain senses uncertainty and fear and creates reasons to stop. We’ve all heard Isaac Newton’s quote about a body in motion. The trick is overcoming inertia. In science, the amount of energy required to initiate a reaction is greater than the energy needed to keep it going.

A study at Harvard Business school concluded that progress is key to productivity and happiness. Tiny steps in the right direction start a positive feedback loop. Even small successes can build your confidence and forge a link to a constructive habit that interrupts a cycle of bad habits. The chain reaction predisposes you to action, and your self-esteem returns. Get your body moving, and everything changes.

Are you ready for action?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 26

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2021 Daily Writing Challenge – May 25

2021 Daily Writing Challenge Q2

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Break the Deadline Insanity, Step Outside, and Breathe – Daily Quote 

time-spent-in-nature-is-the-most-cost-effective-and-powerful-way-to-counteract-the-burnout-and-sort-of-depression-that-we-feel-when-we-sit-in-front-of-a-computer-all-day.-richard-louv.

Working on project deadlines, while keeping current on the normal everyday grind, means hours turn into days of sitting in front of computer screens. Headphones stream my favorite music to keep me centered as I flip from one screen to the other, and words fill the page. Mandatory conference calls and essential webinars punch holes in a tight schedule. I download files, manipulate, massage, update, and verify before I push them to the end-user.

The room rocks, the thunder rolls, and the reason for the room’s darkness slowly dawns on me. They predicted late morning thunderstorms, with clearing skies and moderate afternoon temperatures. Pulled from the fog, I realized my body is stiff from sitting. My shoulders ache from tension, and I decide other people’s deadlines must wait.

Outside, the world smells fresh and clean. The sun sparkles, and the breeze shakes raindrops from tree leaves. The pressures disappear, I remember the reasons I chose this path. I stretch, breathe deeply, and enjoy a few more minutes of bliss before I return, refreshed, to work I love.

How will you connect with nature today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer