| On the first morning of our vacation to Yachats | | | | The more I focused on describing my immediate |
| around 6:45 A.M., I am still drowsy while I curl | | | | environment, the more receptive I became to |
| over in bed taking dim note of our surroundings. | | | | free flowing, relaxing thoughts. |
| Our bedroom faces East with a wall to wall | | | | I noticed the whole West wall of our living room |
| picture window protected by a panel of hanging | | | | consists of four, tempered glass windows, about |
| canvas-like shades. | | | | five-by-five square feet each, and a matching pair |
| The rising sun is streaming through those vertical | | | | attached to both side walls. The observation area |
| panels, illuminating a picture of Martha's Vineyards | | | | presents a panoramic view that is unbelievable, |
| on the opposite wall, and an adjacent beach | | | | humbling, and awe inspiring. |
| painting called "By the Sea." | | | | Our rental home actually rests on a grassy cliff |
| I hear my wife Susan in the kitchen probably | | | | overlooking and facing the Pacific Ocean. The |
| making coffee. Every so often there is a cracking | | | | spectacular water images hypnotize by the |
| boom from the surf outside, crashing against our | | | | undulating motion of the waves, caressing the |
| rugged, rocky Oregon coastline. | | | | huge, oddly shaped, black, barnacle covered, |
| I am more awake now, but I close my eyes to | | | | volcanic rock slabs, jutting out in the shoreline. |
| move myself deeper into the spirit of relaxation. | | | | As I write about the power of journaling, the surf |
| However, I do commence to stroke Silas, our | | | | roars with breaking whitecaps, spiraling around and |
| twelve pound poodle and pomeranian mix, who is | | | | splashing between the rock formation fingers. Sea |
| snuggled besides me. | | | | gulls fly low over the waters, sometimes diving in |
| Slowly, I become aware of and more sensitive to | | | | to feast on sea bounty. |
| the outside chatter of birds commingled with the | | | | Write about what you hear, feel, and think. Know |
| cackling songs of some crows. | | | | that there is a creative force within all of us. |
| Woven within the cacophony is the mysterious | | | | Practice accessing this inner Light that overcomes |
| and melodic flute-like song of an unknown avian | | | | all dark secrets, which mysteriously threaten to |
| creature. Whatever the nature of this species, I | | | | hold us back from the good we deserve. |
| am convinced it is a virtuoso. | | | | Let your writing take you to the place of silence |
| Such sweet, soothing refrains, flash me back to | | | | deep within our subconscious mind some |
| the Native American music, Susan and I became | | | | appropriately call, "The Secret Place of the most |
| so exquisitely familiar with when we lived in | | | | High." |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 90's. | | | | Furthermore, listen to the spirit music of your |
| The flute notes continue with a slightly reedy | | | | surroundings and observations. Allow your mind, |
| resonance, accompanied by three staccato | | | | body, and soul to dance to the rhythmic pulse of |
| whistles at the end of the bird song. I know in my | | | | inspiration and bliss. Give yourself permission to |
| heart, as a few tears of joy land on my face, | | | | free associate with your creative strengths, |
| that I must have arrived in heaven. | | | | talents, and abilities. |
| As I record these precious moments in my | | | | So, let's take a deep breath together and revisit |
| journal, I would like to say a few words of | | | | one last time the sparkling, gleaming, life images |
| encouragement to aspiring writers. First and | | | | that stand before me today. I look out at a |
| foremost, start writing your own journal. There is | | | | mauve sky on the ocean horizon. |
| something healing, therapeutic, and thought | | | | At times, the sun turns the sea into millions of |
| provoking about the whole journaling process. | | | | glistening diamond lights. A partial cloud-drape |
| Next, while you journal, pause to slow the pace | | | | extends over the bluish-green waters as far as |
| down. Review the written passages and look for | | | | the eye can see. Gulls and waterfowl are bobbing |
| word gems or thought jewels to further refine | | | | in clumps, speckling the ocean with white feather |
| and appreciate. | | | | squares like enormous nature-made patch quilts. |
| This form of writing then becomes a kind of | | | | The fishy, salty, seaweed smells permeate the air. |
| cognitive meditation, which facilitates peace of | | | | I turn to focus once again on the infinite, majestic |
| mind and limitless creativity. | | | | waves. Their surf-music play notes of rushing, |
| For example, I am sitting now in a comfortable | | | | slashing, percussive melodies, which mesmerize, |
| lounge chair located in our beach home living room. | | | | hypnotize, and sooth the soul. |
| I have rewritten my entry at least 10 times or | | | | To be writing on a day like this is a blessing |
| more, which is the third thing I want to suggest | | | | beyond imagination, with memories to treasure |
| to all those who want to get published: keep | | | | and keep alive in the secret place within. |
| polishing your work. | | | | |