Author: Maria

ocean
deep, mysterious
crashing, spraying, foaming
a soothing gentle rhythm
sea

 

Nothing.

Writers know a little bit about this. When we’re blocked, nothing comes and the page fills and fills with…nothing.

I’m not a fan of it.

But sometimes, nothing is what the situation calls for. As in, I have nothing relevant or healthy or positive to contribute to a conversation.

I feel like that a little today.

Other times, nothing is essential. It’s an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, to clear one’s mind, to survey a blank canvas full of possibility.

I like that kind of nothingness. With a little creativity and conviction, it fills up with somethingness. And isn’t somethingness what we aspire to as artists? To look at nothing and see something? To take emptiness and fill it?

I’d like to do that today.

I’d like to take this empty space and fill it with positive words.

love*joy*happy*birdsong*hugs*peace*sunrise*laughter*puppies*kisses*chocolate*

friend*smile*warmth*daisy*dance*mountains*shade*walk*grass*blue*sing*giggle*

play*gaze*ponder*share*jump*roses*tea*conversation*sigh*celebrate*create*pray

Music.

It soothes the wild beast, and it soothes me.

I like so many kinds of music…I like jazz, country, salsa, classical, top 40, classic rock, and good churchy stuff.

I don’t like screaming and cussing.

Otherwise, I’ll give it a listen — probably, I’m gonna like it. At least I’ll listen politely.

It lifts my mood or calms me down, depending on what I need. It inspires me, and makes me move, especially if it’s salsa. There nothing better to play while cleaning, that’s for sure!

I grew up with music in our home, and thank my parents for that gift. I even had guitar lessons when I was a kid though I can’t explain why reading music is still such a mystery to me. Let’s just say…me and time signatures don’t get along.

Anyway, music. I love it.

Here are a few songs that I really dig:

and this:

and finally: