There are few tasks as rewarding as choosing the perfect gift. Gifting to special people is our way of expressing admiration, respect, love, or sometimes disdain for the recipient. We invest careful consideration, weighing each selection before we make our decision. The process doesn’t stop there. The holiday wrap must have significance and coordinate with trims, bows, and name tags. We cut the wrapping paper, trimming it with precision, tucking edges, and folding precise corners to create a visual masterpiece. If we succeed in our goal, discovering the treasure inside is an event to be remembered.

There is a great joy in watching a beloved family member unwrap a festive package decked with sparkling decorations. The box’s mysterious contents pique their curiosity. Some take forever dissecting tape and unraveling ribbons. Others can’t stand the suspense, and they rip, tug, and tear until the item lays in their hands. Surprises, delight, joyous squeals, and heartfelt gratitude are the payoff for the giver of fabulous presents. When we consider the emotion we long to convey, we discover selecting an ideal present is rarely contingent on the monetary value. The best gifts often require investing time rather than spending money.

What is on your wish list this year?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The last-minute madness of the holiday rush begins at 5:01 pm Friday. With lists and reminders by my side, I set to work. In the wee hours of the morning, tired but happy, I collapse into bed, knowing my reward is near.

The enormous pile of nondescript delivery boxes will have transformed. Purchased presents, festive holiday paper, sparkling ribbons, glittering bows, and decorative tapes are magical ingredients. Wrapped gifts will soon pack Santa’s bags, ready for distribution to friends and family. I plan to add the trays of countless dozens of themed cookies to the neatly labeled piles first thing in the morning. Only a few select treasures will lie tucked beneath a twinkling Christmas tree, waiting for our scheduled Zoom call. I review my notes, check the list once more, and smile. Tomorrow morning is drop off day.

Saturday’s remaining agenda calls for pajamas, naps on the couch, and the traditional family movie marathon. There are no surprises in this lineup. The list contains classics, both new and old, with some added, just for fun. The stories haven’t changed — we know every word. A watch party is a new twist, but I expect the films still have the power to evoke nostalgia kissed delight. Friends will text to compare movie trivia, bet on the likelihood of a White Christmas, and make plans for the New Year. When the pizza arrives, holiday stress is guaranteed to dissolve into holiday cheer.

What is your favorite holiday movie?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Inspiration and creativity are indelibly linked. Inspiration materializes from the ether, exploding like St. Elmo’s Fire. The event is awe-inspiring, forging a connection to a powerful energy and the motivation to create. You emerge with certainty, clarity, and a vision. A concept to launch your project, intuition on how to proceed or a novel way to complete your task is the product of your transcendental experience.

Recreating the encounter is an exercise in futility, and chasing it makes it more elusive. When I hit a wall, the best solution is to step away from my screen and do something else. I have a laundry list of preferred activities. I shovel snow, do yoga, walk outside, indulge in a hot bath, or brew a strong pot of coffee to sip with fresh baked red velvet cake. Ideas have struck while weeding, crocheting, arranging a bouquet, listening to the wind dancing in the trees, and feeling the sun warm my skin.

Some writers report success with reading, finding quiet moments, immersing themselves in nature, or engaging in other creative pursuits. I have discovered taking risks helps me tap into my source. I often start a new project without knowing what I am doing. By creating high failure potential, I cause the cosmos to take notice. The payoff comes when a story appears, the entire piece written in my mind before my fingers ever touch the keyboard. The common thread is a willingness to let go, play, and consider possibilities hidden within the realm of the seemingly impossible.

Where do you find inspiration?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It lies on the horizon. Shrouded in mist, more of a mirage than anything real, I sense rather than see it. Yet, when I squint, the fog falls away, and my imagination conjures missing details, adding color, definition, and clarity. It seems incredibly distant. It mocks me, hovering tantalizingly beyond my reach. The universe is fickle and refuses to divulge the roadmap. There are no instructions, no listicles of the exact steps to take, no hint of a path, or any sign anyone has ever passed this way before.

Inaction is not my friend. I cradle my ephemeral vision in kid gloves, protecting its fragile existence as I shoulder the impossible, and set to work. Obstacles arise, and I discover my insecurities created the hurdles I must navigate. Facing unfounded worries, paralyzing fear, and self-destructive thought patterns, I stumble forward with relentless determination.

There are mountains to move, valleys to cross, and rivers to ford. My friends call me crazy, but I prepare myself for the challenge. The long hours lead to unexpected discoveries. The arduous work imparts a sense of satisfaction, and it fuels my resolve. When I look up from my task, I imagine my goal is closer.

Do you see your dream on the horizon?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer