It’s been a while since I’ve updated, and that’s by design.

This cartoon of Humpty Dumpty has resonated with me all season, especially his genuinely content smile.

With the current political acrimony, the societal climate that teems with apathy and an overwhelming lack of compassion, the pandemic’s fatigue and ever-changing orders, and the days speeding past one after another with little time to catch my breath, it’s been a challenge to keep my head above the water line.

So I did the irresponsible, especially for a journalism teacher, but my peace of mind matters more to me than current events.

I tuned everything out and, determined to have a great fall, I channeled the smiling Humpty Dumpty.

It might not seem like it because of my lack of recent posts, but I am writing every day, and I am writing a lot. I’ve already completed two of my articles for the Spring 2021 Jersey Shore Magazine issue and penned over 12,000 words on my next novel (I’ll call it JD for now). I’ve also filled up two journals since September and I’m almost done with the third. At the end of each day, I have a small pile of scrap papers and post-its filled with ideas or one-liners or insights and I’ll tape them into my journal, my idea notebook, or my planner.

Outside of writing, I’ve been relishing the season by watching the leaves change and feeling the temperatures wax and wane. Instead of looking at news feeds, I’ve looked at my surroundings. Instead of posting everything I’m doing on Twitter or Facebook, I’m more present in what I am doing, whether it is taking a walk, raking leaves, or sipping a cup of tea in the afternoon. I’ve read more this fall and fallen in love with new authors and unique voices who inspire me to be a better writer.

This time of year always produces a Lupus flare, and 2020 is no exception. However, making time to rest and saying “No” when I need to has had a notably positive effect on my well-being. I’m still flaring and nodding off to sleep heinously early, but this go-around is different. I ironically feel more grounded despite 2020’s tailspin of mayhem.

This bizarro-world we’ve lived in for eight months and counting now has been difficult it is true, but hidden inside the chaos are little pearls of wisdom and enlightenment.

Go with the flow.

Tune out the shouting.

Seek out the good.

Put my peace of mind at the forefront.

Be in the present moment.

Hone my voice through words, oh the words!

Words, my goodness they are flowing, nonsensically fluent words and lists and sentences and paragraphs of blather yet rife with meaning, words of liberation and enlightenment and passion-filled lyrical cacophony composed just for myself or for a future audience, thoughtlessly penned stream-of-consciousness diatribes of both nothing and everything at once…

Words. Glorious words.

In spite of 2020’s disorder, parts of me WERE put together again like letters put words together, and words have helped me keep order.

Words have made all the difference.

Like Humpty Dumpty, I had a great fall, and will continue to do so.

I hope you do, too.
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 Thanks for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

Jill

“Having a Great Fall” was posted on jillocone.com and on soulseaker.com on November 8, 2020. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any employer. Copyright 2020, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.