Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 39

Let Us Love One Another

“Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.” – Victor Hugo

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for family, friendships and all the many blessings in our lives. When I look at everything that is happening in the world — mass shootings, genocide, the hate people have for others, countries besieged by civil wars — I am grateful for my country, my freedom, and all the wonderful people in my life.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving here...

Gratitude

As autumn settles in, I also change up my routine a bit. I love the cool, crisp mornings and head out for my run while it’s still dark. I’m averaging about ten kilometres now on my daily run, so by the time I reach home night has given way to day. Watching the sunrise peel away the darkness offers hope for the day ahead.

In today’s world, hope is something that I am desperate to hang onto. The recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, the attacks in Edmonton and France — and the many other incidents...

Try, Try, and Try Again

Restlessness. For me it’s a word that’s as dangerous as procrastination. It has power, real power, to tackle me to the ground the way the ball carrier does in a game of rugby. Restless, I feel caught between the mountain and the valley. It’s a type of paralysis. I don’t know how to move forward, which leaves me feeling hopeless.

In a way, I am caught now between the mountain and the valley as I work to recreate my debut novel, Freestyle Love. First published in 2011, it sold about 300 copies...

Coming Up for Air

Some days, it’s like I’m hitting my head against the wall. Why? Because I can’t seem to learn a simple lesson: the importance of rest.

 

I keep pushing myself to do more, be more. And that despite how I’m feeling. At some point, the body says, “No more,” and I end up grounded. That’s what happened to me. Upon my return from Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this month, all the signs were there that I was sick. Aching bones (it hurt to put on a shirt). Chills. Nasal congestion. Sore throat. Hacking...

Just Hold On

It’s going to be another hot and humid day here in Toronto, and with it comes the risk of thunderstorms this afternoon. If the skies do open up, we’ll scramble for cover to stay dry (and to avoid being struck by lightning). I love summer. I’m just not one for the heat. It’s the humidity that I have a difficult time dealing with, actually. It drains my energy, leaves me feeling lethargic, somewhat foggy, and unmotivated. I don’t feel like doing anything. That’s when I realize I have to just ho...

Art. Work. Play

Waking up at 4:00 a.m. this morning (18 July 2017) and then sitting down at my desk to write, I relish that moment of quietude. It’s that one time of day — as most people in the city are still asleep and the busyness of the morning commute has yet to commandeer the streets — when I can actually hear myself think. It instils a calm, allows me to feel hopeful about the day ahead. I try not to think too hard about the ambitious agenda I’ve set out for myself. Otherwise, I’ll end up feeling overw...

A Matter of Perspective

Getting up is easy. Getting to work can be hard.

Walking or running for me brings clarity, burns through the fog.

I’m a light sleeper, waking up multiple times throughout the night. At some point (and this happens every night), my back starts to hurt. That’s when I know it’s time to get up, and that’s usually between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. Exhausted from a couple days of travel, this morning was no different. There was that dull ache in my back. I rolled onto my side, my eyes sidled the clock on...

All Aboard!

I’m a passenger on my creative journey, not the driver. I think I always knew that, but it struck me yesterday as we sped eastward along the 401 after spending a couple of hours at the Aberfoyle Flea Market. With my gaze fixed on the rolling landscape, I thought about where I’ve been, where I am and where I still hope to go. It also had me thinking about how it all began.

My first “contact,” if you will, with the arts came through music. At age six I started piano lessons, and shortly thereaf...

Hold Fast, Hold Strong

I boldly declared 2015 my Year of Selfishness. Fast forward to today, and “selfishness” is an inherent theme in my life. In a word: It’s become my modus operandi.

Let’s back up a minute. When I talk about selfishness, I’m not subscribing to the traditional definition of the root word, selfish: “(Of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure,” as defined by the Oxford Dictionary. I am not without considerati...

Getting Unstuck

Having spent the last three and a half weeks in training, I couldn’t wait to get back to my writing routine. The whole time I was in training (it was intense and demanding), I didn’t write much other than my Morning Pages. I tried to write or edit, but getting up at 4:00 am for a class that started at 7:00 am took more out of me than I had anticipated. When I got home I barely had enough energy to study, and certainly didn’t have the necessary focus to write.

A view of Toronto’s Centre Island...