“Counterintuitive as it seems, the greatest gift we writers can offer the planet now is our contemplative practice. Our capacity to be deeply moved is what moves others. The pen is our sword but the strength to wield it comes from our willingness to listen, be changed, and bear witness” (Writer Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew). One benefit of the pandemic, for everyone, is slowing down. Staying in place forces us to stay with our thoughts. Writers should not be too quick to dash off their reactions to this strange time. Living with discomfort brings its own kind of comfort. For more thoughts about writing, see REFLECTIONS.
