From the Anthology
Pandemic Writing“Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity," wrote T.S. Eliot. To help make productive use of our self-isolation and social distancing, Lit Cleveland is offering free writing challenges each week via our newsletter. The following piece is a response to the "How To" prompt.
by Amy Lynn Obuszewski
In the weeks before the pandemic (months if I’m being honest). I wished for this. No, I didn’t wish for a virus to scare the bejeezus out of the world, but I did wish to work from home. My wish has been granted. I’m working from home and so are a lot of other people. The problem? Working from home is not what I really wanted. It's the genie in a bottle trick. I rubbed the proverbial bottle. The genie appeared and I asked for what I thought I wanted.
I have the same job, it's less enjoyable now under a microscope and if the dailies were not rallying inspiration within me before, they definitely are not now. My ‘work from home’ wish fulfilled has infiltrated my serene Creative Writing and Joy Development Space, I now call the Home Office. Please do not mistake me. I am grateful for my work. I know so many of us, my husband included, cannot work from home during these strange days. The point is I really wanted freedom and security; I didn’t ask for that. I believe that most of us want freedom to learn and ‘do’ whatever melt sour butter; provided the necessary securities to do so.
I’ve now learned the field of infinite potentiality (thank you Pam Grout) doesn’t discern, it gives us what we think about (what we ask for). Yup, I’m one of those ‘new age-y’ types that has found mindfulness, meditation and intention setting to be EVERYTHING in life. I buy into the idea that my thoughts are energy and as individuals and collectively as humans we create the world we live in. Call it a mid-life crisis, but it helps me out with all my “feels” as the 20-something next door calls his emotions. It also helps me out with all the ‘have tos’ in this life I created. And there is no doubt about it,I create my thinking and therefore all of my experiences. So do you.
If there ever was a time to take a risk, the end of the world as we thought it, should be it. We can re-think this as a dawn of a new era and create what we want our new world experience to be — all our relationships (and our work qualifies). So, I probably won’t quit my job tomorrow, but you betcha, I’ll be mindful and think what I mean and mean what I think moving forward. I hope you are re-thinking creation now too. Be careful about what you wish and believe in with full trust. You’re going to get it!
