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DAILY PROMPT @ DAILY POST

Are you a good judge of other people’s happiness? Tell us about a time you were spot on despite external hints to the contrary (or, alternatively, about a time you were dead wrong).

The eyes have it for me. They tell the story despite the external hints to the contrary. The clowns taught me this lesson many years ago when I attended the circus. I adored the clowns.

Laughter is good for the soul. I fell in love with the clowns and laughter and in those moments began a love affair with me and comedy. The clowns outrageously large, red feet, afro hair, and red noses kept the whole tent laughing. Of all the acts that evening, the clowns with their white faces, wide red lips and the unusual marks around the eyes were the most memorable. I left believing what a fun-filled life they must lead.

When they stopped dancing and performing for us, one of them took an elaborate bow right in front of me. When he raised his head, our eyes met and I saw the truth behind the paint. Pain. I was too young at the time to understand. Without a word, he stepped forward and handed me a fake flower, then turned away, waved to the crowd and was gone.

Afterwards, for many years I collected clowns. Dolls, figurines, and paintings. It was the eyes which drew me. I longed to know their story, to figure out what it was I had seen in the eyes of the clown at the circus. If only they could talk.

Then I found comedians and boy did they talk. They kept me laughing as long as I listened. Gradually, I packed the clowns away and turned on Pandora tuning into my favorite comedy channel. I’d listen or watch the comedians with the same delight as I’d watched the clowns. “God, living with them must be a blast,” I’d think. They look so happy, so much fun.

Ah, but the eyes the have it, they tell the real story, the truth behind the mask. Once again, I was dead wrong. The loss of one of the greatest comedians, Robin Williams made it clear. Finally I knew the answer. Pain. I had seen pain, the truth behind the painted face, the mask of comedy. Words covered as well as paint.

We all have our masks.

Greetings, from the Cow Pasture; It’s been awhile since last hearing from me. To be exact it’s been seven months.

During the time away, the task of writing seemed overwhelming. Many days I’d feared not only my creative muse had been lost, but also the desire to write.

So, I gave myself permission to stop, if only for a time. To stop struggling with time, blank pages, and a blank mind. I continued to read my favorite blogs and books. Reading has always brought me pleasure and gave me much needed food for thought, manna for my soul. My writing, I set aside.

The last two years had taken its toll. I needed time for my body and soul to heal.
At any given moment, you have the power to say…

I’m ready now, but how did I get back into the game of writing?

I realized this wasn’t how I wanted the story of my life to end. Trying to play catch up would be futile. I knew couldn’t. So, I made a to-do-list. “Start slow, take baby steps,” I told myself. It was a beginning

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85608594@N00/10448651626Perhaps, you will find it helpful.

Designate a time to write; daily, weekly, whatever works for you and keep it sacred.
Clean and declutter computer files. The mundane task of reorganizing files can help hands and mind reconnect to writing related tasks.
Evaluate current mailing lists. Eliminate sites rarely used or those offering redundant information. Stop wasting time going through a zillion emails.
Reevaluate social platforms (Blog, Author’s page, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc). Narrow the focus and find which social network will work best for you based on where you are and what you hope to accomplish.
Establish ONE goal. The thing you want most to accomplish in the next three, six months or over the next year, outline a schedule and do it. (Publish, revise current works in progress, try a different genre, etc.)
Pick ONE project at a time and see it to completion. The satisfaction of accomplishing your goal, will keep you moving forward.
Persevere and write even if it is one word a day.