Author: Lauren Mirs

True North

Drop me off in any city
four hours later
you’ll find me
on the ragged edge of town
aside of an abandoned building
a dandelion bursting full-blooded summer
through a crack in the sidewalk
an oasis of wilderness
I’m calibrated to
a dirt road
fifty miles from any stop sign
a far-off train whistle
one sprawling oak tree
its sweeping arms cradling an entire flock of starlings
the iridescence of their wings
spilling into
the shimmer of their song

The Beginning of a Grand Adventure

Last week, I told my employer I’d be leaving my job. I said in my resignation letter that I was leaving “to go on a grand adventure.” I can’t tell you how delicious it felt to do something that makes me an inspiration to myself. What’s even more exciting than the trip I’m planning is proving to myself that I can take a risk where it matters- and knowing that it won’t be the last.

Photo: poinsettia

Music For a Revolution

In college, I wrote a report on a song by opera composer Bellini. In my research, I learned that Bellini was known for creating melody lines that sounded remarkably like speech. That tidbit of information revolutionized my concept of what’s possible. It opened up the idea that a song could begin with lyrics, and the melody could be formed by the natural inflections of the words involved. Without knowing one chord on the guitar or one note on the piano, the world of songwriting is still open to you.

(Note: The inspiration for my report was Filippa Giordano’s rendition of “Casta Diva.”)

Photo: poinsettia

Pure Joy

Trying to pinpoint moments of pure joy, I thought of summer when I was very young, running through the grass barefoot, arms outstretched, directly into a damp sheet hanging from the clothesline. I feel at least a hundred years old saying that. Back then, we didn’t lock our doors. My mom would send me next door to borrow a cup of sugar from our neighbor. We used to stop by friends’ houses without warning and visit. I realized with a touch of sadness that I wouldn’t dream of doing that now. It was a different time.

Photo: amaryllis

It Builds Character

I was almost in tears today, trying to figure out how to set something up on my computer. (I am not a computer person.) Hours later, I discovered that everything I had done was unnecessary. The episode was over at 6:30 pm, and I had nothing to show for the whole day. Then I thought of what I say to lighten the mood when other people are knee deep in frustrating situations: “It builds character.” You know what? Immediately I felt better. The day wasn’t a waste; it helped build resilience, patience, perspective, endurance, mental dexterity, resourcefulness, perseverance, and commitment. In fact, it sounds like I accomplished quite a lot today!

Photo: almonds

One Minute of Sunset

For a writer, blocking off at least an hour a day to write sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? For me, this approach (“write for an hour”) turned writing into a punishment. Ironically, I’ve found that by giving myself a laughably short amount of time to write, I end up being more prolific and versatile, developing ideas I wouldn’t have paid attention to if I’d had the time to be more selective. There’s no dilly-dallying or daydreaming, and the writing is more succinct. I let myself write past the deadline if I want to. (Tricky.)

My assignments sound like this:
Write about your trips to New York in 10 minutes or less.
Make up the plot of a children’s story in 3 minutes or less.
Describe a sunset in 1 minute or less.
If you ever get stuck, try the exercise “100 topics to write about in 10 minutes or less.”

Photo: amaryllis

Instead of Weight Loss

It’s almost the start of a new year! I’m not much of a party person, so on New Year’s Eve, I spend time choosing a goal for the coming year. Then I blast Jimi Hendrix’s version of ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ (This can be found on the album Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Fillmore East.) I think it’s important to choose a goal that will enrich your spirit. If you admire painters, start painting. If you want to feel more empowered, take a self-defense class. If you’re bored at work, get a job more in line with your interests. If you need mental stimulation, join a club and meet new people. If you’re an armchair Francophile, start learning French and planning a trip to Paris. Pick a goal that you’re excited about. Pick a goal that will change your life.
My goal for the next year is to take an extended road trip all over the United States. How about you?

Photo: moon and trees, Illinois

Let Them See Montana for Themselves

I’ve disappointed them again: the people who live vicariously through my vacation photos. For the last couple years, instead of traveling during my vacations, I’ve spent the time Getting Stuff Done. I highly recommend the intensive, productive staycation. I make a list of everything I wanted to get done during the year but have put off because it requires research, is time-consuming, or is just plain tedious and boring. Then I spend the week check-check-checking items off the list. It’s very satisfying. Over these vacations, I’ve written my will, put together a master resume, researched and bought electronics, chosen a new healthcare plan, converted paper files into computer documents, started a blog, and more.

Don’t feel lame about staying home. Your coworkers and friends will just have to see Montana for themselves.

Photo: brick wall

A Very 80s Christmas

How did you spend Christmas? While cooking and chopping ingredients for tacos, my brother and I started singing jingles from 80s commercials (like My Little Pony (okay, so I started it) and Fruit Island Cereal), which led to theme songs from 80s cartoons (like Inspector Gadget and Gummi Bears), children’s TV shows (like The Electric Company and Sesame Street), and sitcoms (like Cheers and The Golden Girls), which led to songs featured in movies, like “Somewhere Out There.” As much as I enjoy traditions of the holiday season, spontaneous moments are the best.

Photo: artificial Christmas tree