A Quest for Productivity

To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions.  
- Sam Keen

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. - Aaron Rose

Running next to the Willamette river, I feel like a jungle of animals on a quest for a turtle's stability. My mind's dragon breathes fire. It's not motivation usually roared by my lion of exuberance. This wildfire needs tending. 

I like to get to that turtle state rolling through the fuzz of concerns and unreasonable thoughts that leap and tangle like monkeys in my morning's brain.

Bicyclists zoom me without warning; cutting it a bit too close. Gliding with the breeze, I center on what my body feels like and move past the annoyance.

Rumi says to sweep out the window and down the slant of the roof words and what they try to say. I push notions from my zoo of thought: existence, struggle, rude people. Words transition to play, process, fun.

About an hour into the run, the climb of 200 feet at Skinner's Butte approaches. 

It usually caps the morning's adventure and sparks an enthusiastic finish. Today it demands determination of mind, body and spirit to ascend the path. 

Shoe by shoe I gain feet ahead.



Green encourages and soothes.

When the steps appear, I dig for energy and ascend them at a sprint.

Turning to admire how far I have arrived, a second wind kicks in. A repeat adds confidence.

The trail levels for a respite before the last climb.

At the turn in one of the switchbacks, applause of flowers encourages my efforts.  

The path steepens for a surge.  

I'm reminded how petals show their stamina in the heat and rain.  

Tree limbs reveal growth and productivity.

Nature shouts its struggle for balance. 

A surprise pops around each bend in the trail. 

My song continues with a do diddle dooah.

A stumble shows a caterpillar I might have overlooked.  It scooshes to avoid a squish.

Refreshment arrives at the top. My quest for productivity and balance completes. 

Story in Five Lines

Have fun creating a story in five lines. Try one each morning for a week.

First line           Title   (Make it intrigue the reader)

Second line     Two words to provide conflict

Third line          Three-words showing action taken

Fourth line        Four-word sentence adds information

Fifth line            Renames or describes the first line

Survival Skills

Eaglet alone

Mother is fishing

Turkey vultures circle nest

A day in the life of an eagle family

Examine the Day's Wonders

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. 

- Vince Lombardi

We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already." - J. K. Rowling.

 

What would it mean to chase excellence instead of perfection? If we live from the inside out to discover our powers of insight the magic will appear and engage creativity.

For a writer, living from the inside out involves curiosity to capture details by observing what others miss. The eyes, ears and nose perk. Fingers search for sensations. Practice in letting words wander trains the mind to open to possibilities and nuances. 

Consistency in a writing practice requires time each day to stimulate awareness and write.

Notice the heart shaped petals reflected by hearts on the stamens. Imagine how an ant might stretch its legs. Textures offer a twirl of designs in the flow of mystery.




Excellence abounds in nature.  

In the unfurling of a poppy, a few imperfections exist to give it a personality.

Do you see a dancer about to twirl as the shades of pink unfold?

Investigate the patterns.

What would a bee's eye view reveal?

Examine details of the day's wonders and write about it.