Its wings spread wide, the Merlin falcon soars easily, rising with the wind – there’s no effort in it from where I stand watching. My own body is so heavy today with a bad cold. I let it go, soar up with the hawk, spread my arms with exhilaration, let the wind carry me. My feathers flash back a glint of light. The wind takes me up, up, above the tallest tree. I let it swoop me over the hills, so crisp today after last night’s storm. My house in the village is just a speck now. Whoosh! And I dive into the valley, over Elisabeth’s backyard pond where the ice has melted and the bright orange of her fish catch my eyes. I don’t eat fish. Swoosh, back up with the current, parallel to the wheat fields still so green although it’s already the second day of February. Wings braced, I set myself gracefully on the crown of the naked Walnut tree beside our house. And go back to work at my desk.

This is an exercise from my “Journalisten Werkstatt” – Kreativität als Lebensprinzip, Creativity as a life principal. Each day find something that amazes or astounds you, fills you with wonder. Each day surprise one person, by doing something a little different, showing yourself from a different side, saying something unexpected. Write it down each day.