Around The Corner
Sunshine and Rainbows
A few months ago, I discovered this quote by J. R. R. Tolkien: "Still 'round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate." Such anticipation!
Normally, Tolkien is not a writer of whom I am a fan because his specialty writing of fantasy/mythology does not hold my interest. Regardless, this quote caught my eye and spoke to my heart. His words reflect much of my own life experience of traversing new roads, and I am better for the trip.
As for a secret gate, I thought long about Tolkien's quote and decided that mine is my career. I celebrated age 40 before I knew that a writer dwelt inside me; like a long-held secret waiting for discovery. Once found, I spied the corner of a secret garden where I learned how to make sunshine and rainbows. I am still enjoying, even now years later.Let me explain. I have a certain attitude about my work as a writer. I call it readiness. I like to work in advance as much as possible. I do not like to put off until the last minute. For me, an integral part of my creativity is dependability. In addition, I learned that on dull, dreary days it is all the more important to create the positive.
A rude goof by yours truly provided me with the impetus to be a maker of sunshine and rainbows. Yes, it occurred on a gloomy, rainy day. I dialed the telephone (all phones were dialed in those days) and a male voice answered pleasantly, "Good morning!" Instantly, I realized I dialed the wrong number. I hung up. No caller ID back then, so this obviously nice fellow did not know that I was the culprit.
Regardless, I felt terrible. I berated myself for my ill behavior. I thought about his cheerfulness. His greeting sounded so nice. There is no reason I cannot do the same, I thought. I promised myself to copy his lead. I applied this lesson immediately. However, when I dialed the correct number, the person at the other end barked harshly at me, "What's good about it?" Ouch! What a grouch! I patiently listened to a stretched-out lament about the gray day, the miserable rain and other things.
However, I determined not to let this deter me. Subsequent phone calls to others gave me positive responses. In fact, one woman told me that my greeting sounded like sunshine. I asked, "What does sunshine sound like?" She said, "Just the way you greeted me." Thus, I learned a lesson well, and a many-years good habit resulted.
Over these years, I also coined my own response when someone grumps about a gloomy day: "This is God's way of allowing us to make our own sunshine." I have found that rainbows of attitude result with the happy responses such a few positive words provide.
The prolific writer Miss Anony Mous tells it this way: "No cloud could ever cast a dark shadow if the sun were not behind it." Thus, cloudy days, actual or those of circumstance, need not be downers. The scene we set is indeed one of attitude.
Now, let us look forward together to the new road or secret gate around the corner. As I write this column, I am embarking on a new road with you, the reader, a road on which may be seen one of those secret gates to unlatch. It is all, just around the corner. §
Betty Kossick has been a freelance writer since 1971. She lives in Ocala and considers herself a poet at heart. She can be contacted at bkwrites4u@cfl.rr.com.
