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