Image by Elsemargriet from Pixabay
In the UK we have a saying about magpies (maybe other places do too?) - that seeing just one will bring sorrow while a pair will bring joy. I’m not usually superstitious but for some reason this magpie rhyme really resonated with me as a child and, to this day, when I see a lone magpie I ward off the sorrow by bidding him good morning, afternoon or evening.
Before, when I saw two, I used to wait all day for the joy to appear wondering what form it would take. But then I realised the joy was the moment I saw the magpie couple together, their blue-black feathers shining as they hopped and pecked and bickered. And now I know it’s the joy of being here on this planet as me to be able to see them.
I’ve also come to understand that birds have been a huge part of my journey to a more mindful way of living. Sitting and watching the birds outside my windows, wherever I may be in the world, is one of my favourite ways to remain present. They bring such joy, no matter how many of them there are, or what kind they are.
Listening to them is just as wonderful. The burble and coo of the wood pigeons, the clap of their wings as they dip and glide, never fails to make me stop whatever I’m doing and smile. Be fully present in the moment.
At the heart of mindfulness is the belief that to truly experience peace of mind and happiness, we must remain in the present moment. That being lost in thoughts of the past, which cannot be changed, and the future, which cannot be predicted, distracts from the simple joy of being fully aware and present in what you are doing.
Writing fictional stories transports me into the characters and worlds I am creating and keeps me fully in the moment. Writing courses and essays does the same. As does writing these newsletters and chatty emails to my friends. What about you? What helps keep you present and brings you joy?
According to John Kabat-Zinn in his book “Full Catastrophe Living: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation”, mindfulness is also made up of seven attitudinal factors, which are: non-judging, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance and letting go.
After a long time, I can now apply all of these attitudes to my writing as well as my life. I had to change my attitude to myself first though and once I had stopped judging myself so harshly and realised that the only thing I know for definite, is that I don’t really know anything so always have a beginner’s mind, I was able to more easily accept what is and let go of old ideas about who I was and what the world is. For my writing, I’ve stopped striving for goals I’d set myself, and let go of needing to have specific outcomes, and now I am just doing it because I love it. Because just like those magpies, it brings me joy.
I hope you feel the same about your writing too!
With love,
Amanda x
Summer/Autumn Writing Opportunities
Storytelling with the Tao
This 12-week online community course starts on 31st July. It uses chapters of the Tao Te Ching to inspire stories that explore what it means to be human, living now in our times. There are 6 workshops released every 2 weeks featuring a chapter of the Tao, along with associated discussion content linking the chapter to our world today, a short story reading, craft development section, and a writing prompt.
The Mindful Fiction Course
This 6-week online community course starts on 6th September. It will help you to bring mindful awareness to your writing to give it more depth. It can be used for novel writing and short fiction writing and is for anyone who wants to take their writing practice to the next level. Or you can get it via email as a work alone option by becoming a Founding Member of my Substack, or on a Pay What You Can Afford option.
Full info on the September course here
Short Story Autumn
The Monday version of this course sold out so I have added an extra one on Fridays starting 29th September. There are currently 3 spaces left. This 6-week course takes place on Friday afternoons (UK time) on Zoom and will help you take your short story writing to the next level. Join me for a deep dive into stories by Alice Munro, Ken Liu, A.M. Homes, Julio Cortazar, Colin Barrett and Anita Desai. Plus write your own and get focused feedback from the whole group.
Please share this with any writers you feel would be interested. Thank you!
I love this, birds have always been a very important part of my life and always will be. Although, where I live on Mull, magpies are super rare visitors and I still haven't seen one here. They're always a lovely view when I head back to the mainland and spot them, along with Jackdaws and Rooks.
I remember that saying well Amanda! I am happy to see one though as in the wisdom that I follow it represents intelligence and communication. I'll take that! I have rediscovered a joy of writing as a mindful practice, something I've not done since I was younger.