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