Happiness 8-14
the horse and the donkey; a series of unexpected events that leads to amazement; curled up on a window-seat with a mystery.
Tag: daily writing
Happiness 8-13
four quartz crystals in a pool of water; opening the drawer and finding a mysterious charm bracelet; the shepherd home from the hill.
Happiness 8-12
setting down the pen with a deep sigh of relief; an island of good luck; tending to your baby llama.
Happiness 8-11
the sweetest moment of all; diving into a mountain lake at dawn; the train pulling out of the station.
Happiness 8-10
the foundation as deep as the steeple is high; partying with treefrogs all night long; flying into the wind.
Happiness 8-9
the birth of the white bison; the stranger taking your hand and leading you out of there; kissing the inside of her elbows.
Happiness 8-8
sunshine on the pomegranate tree; that long talk with a fox in a field; a hand on your shoulder.
Happiness 8-7
the fragrance of Mediterranean fig; wainscotting; transcendence at the bottom of the sky.
Happiness 8-5
two queens talking in the summer house; climbing to the top; seeing things as they really are.
Happiness 8-4
cavorting with crickets late into the evening; entering the stage; mangoes warmed by the sun.
Happiness 8-3
the smallest key in the world which opens the biggest door; hearing a sound you can’t hear; finding a cool place in the forest in the heart of summer.
Happiness 8-2
lying on a warm stone; opening your wings to the sun; laughter floating past.
Happiness 8-1
a softly purring lioness; absorbing the sky; a cornucopia of plenty.
Happiness 7-31
moonflowers opening at dusk; finding your way to the heart of the labyrinth; the door into a tree.
Nourish Your Writer’s Soul
Since spring is almost here, I’m offering “Writing through the year – Winter” as a free gift till March 21. Let me know if you’d like a copy – I’ll send you a SW coupon or the mobi file for your kindle.
Here’s what it’s about: […]
WriteSpa #63 – A Place of One’s Own
WriteSpa – An Oasis for Writers
As I was conversing with a WriteSpa client, and we were discussing assignments and goals, I asked her where she wrote. She hesitated, then said, “It’s a bit problematic…I don’t have a laptop and my computer’s in the living room. I don’t really have a place for it.”
From the way she spoke, I could tell that using “the computer” was for her a chore, a bit of a nuisance, something that she ‘should’ turn on and use, like a vacuum cleaner, perhaps. I knew that for her to have a satisfying relationship with Mr. Write, the ambience surrounding the area where she worked was crucial. […]
WriteSpa #55 – Golden Rabbits, St. Brigid, Imbolc, and Groundhogs
WriteSpa – An Oasis for Writers
February 2 is a turning point. The new moon falls halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox. In Celtic history this festival was known as Imbolc; the Christians changed it to Candlemas, and the Irish celebrate it as St. Brigid’s Day. Imbolc signifies pregnancy and spring, and is honored with fire, foretelling, and remembering through storytelling. The day is also used to assess what the weather is going to be like in the coming weeks till spring.
This year, the new moon is also the first day of the 4708th Chinese New Year. This is going to be the Year of the Golden Rabbit. Why golden? It’s not actually golden, but metal. There are twelve Chinese year animal signs, but there are also five elements that each of these animals circle through (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). Each animal goes through an annual cycle of these five elements, in two forms – one yin and one yang. This means that a complete cycle is sixty years – and the last one we encountered was in 1951. […]
WriteSpa #51 – Thanksgiving
WriteSpa – An Oasis for Writers
Although Thanksgiving appears to be a uniquely American holiday, the mood now all over the world feels hectic, festive, familyish, planning ahead to the end of the year – and it sometimes can feel dark. Very few holidays are not based in some way on seasonal or pagan rituals – whether they are secular, as is Thanksgiving, or religious. In northern climates (in days long ago), this might be the last time you could see families and friends till spring. In agricultural civilizations, it’s the celebration of the end of harvest. It’s okay to feast now; by February there may be very little left. Nowadays we don’t have that worry; instead the anxiety has crept inwards, and emerges as family-related issues: passionate reunions, guilt, or nostalgia. This time of year can be fraught with tension, excitement, friendliness, food, warmth, light, depression, and so on. […]
WriteSpa #49 – Getting to the Essence
WriteSpa – An Oasis for Writers
Every few years I play this game with myself: If I were on a deserted island, and could have with me only twelve objects for the rest of my life, what would they be?
FAQ:
No, no one else is around and unlikely that they will be.
Food and drink are not necessary – essential nourishment is supplied. (But you might choose a cup from which to drink the fresh water from the spring, if that matters to you.)
No electricity or other energy – so leave your laptop and car at home. They won’t work. […]
WriteSpa #44 – The Soul of Color
Becoming aware of the soul of color can help you weave a pattern of balance and simplicity into your busy life.
WriteSpa #31 – Elemental Beings
When I was around seven years old, I remember visiting my grandmother, Ethel Cook Eliot, at her home in western Massachusetts. One night she sat on the edge of my bed and told me about some rain goblins she’d seen. She described them to me as about eight inches high, skinny, wrinkled, brown-skinned, and rather Read more about WriteSpa #31 – Elemental Beings[…]