Mooning with Purpose

A loon just mooned me.

Well… actually, it was a duck.

But still! He fully mooned me. I was minding my own business, driving home from the veterinary hospital after morning treatments, admiring this last blast of summer, when I glanced out my window to catch the shimmer off a pond in a neighbour’s pasture—I enjoy watching the cattle sipping or the calves playing along the water’s edge or maybe I seek glimpses of water out of a habit held over from my childhood, when us kids used to fight over sitting on the driver’s side of the bus so we could look out the window to count the turtles sitting on the logs as we drove along the Saugeen river, the winding road twinning with the river to sneak into the back of Paisley.

Back to the loon – or duck.

On the pond were at least of dozen ducks, peacefully floating and then one duck… FULL ON MOONED ME!

Certainly that was his intension. Of course, he was thinking, “Take a picture of this you gawking girl!” and then he dove under the water to flash me his shocking white underbelly. In truth, he was likely only diving for a snack and completely oblivious to my presence, but my cheeks flushed regardless, and my eyes darted to the road.

I’d been caught looking where I shouldn’t.

Or had I? He was a duck! And I was only appreciating nature.

It got me to thinking about how we humans (and writers) instantaneously respond, sometimes irrationally, to what we see and hear. How at times, we have no control over our thoughts or emotions. We feel and think faster than we can even ponder it. Where the wisdom comes is in how we process this information and how we choose to set our intentions and habits for the future.

Writing in darkness, and by that I mean alone, can be hard. We make shit up! We tell ourselves stories. The point I’m making is that I have made a dedicated effort to control my mental habits. For example, instead of spiraling into my own self-doubting conversations… conversations I’m sure all writers have with themselves …

• That sentence is too long. No one is going to like this. 
• What if I insult someone? What if my position is outdated and I get called out on social media?
• What if no one likes my work? What if they hate it?
• What if I never find the perfect title?
• What if I get rejected by my dream agent?
• Will my work ever be ready? What if I share too soon?

And the self doubts go on and on…

Instead, I am choosing to turn those negative thoughts and feelings around and to instead, focus on the JOY OF THE JOURNEY. I’m going to celebrate every tiny success.

• I got this blog posted on time!
• I’ve had over a dozen POSITIVE beta reads for my current novel!
• I’ve got a FULL MANUSCRIPT REQUEST on the novel I’m querying!
• I joined a write-in with the fabulous writers of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association!
• I completed a pitching course and gave a live pitch over zoom… and didn’t pass out!
• I met with writers and laughed and shared!

While scrolling recently, this photo popped up and I had to save and share it.

This will be my new mantra. “Until it’s my turn, I will keep clapping for others.” I’m going to bask in the success of others.

Instead of focusing on the criticisms that aren’t constructive, or hurtful comments, I CHOOSE TO CHEER for others. I am going to return positive energy  and assume they had good intentions. I am going CHEER for them and all the amazing writers in my world.

When I connect with the Women’s Fiction Writers Association online for courses or write-in’s, I am going to clap and cheer for each and every success. When I see a writer posting stunning photos from their wilderness writing retreat, I’m going to sigh and ‘like’ and comment. When my Ascribe members post their blogs, I’m going to read and comment and share. When I see a tweet about a writer friend finding success, getting a full manuscript request, signing with an agent, or opening boxes of their books… I am going to ‘WOOP!’ and virtually high five.

I’m going to moon over other’s successes. I’m going to lean into the activities and moments that bring joy to me and I’m going to support the writers I choose to surround myself with. I’m going to be playful and build a habit of responding with positivity. Cheers to you! Now get writing or I’ll moon you!