Give me this day a focus of mind,

a love of the word,

a willingness to try to understand those who confound me,

a patience with my own shortcomings,

a forgiveness for every time I didn’t write as well as I might have,

compassion from those I’ve hurt,

tolerance for those who have offended me.

Open my heart to the world in all its mysteries and contradictions.

Keep me from pride.

Keep me from envy.

Help me to be thankful,

to be ever mindful of this gift,

and of those who have helped me along my writer’s journey.

Grant me a generous heart to do the same.

Help me to celebrate the achievements of others while knowing that

true success isn’t defined by publications or awards,

but by meeting our obligations to each story, each novel, each essay, each poem.

Help me remember that I succeed every day that I put words on the page.

Keep me from bad habits.

Give me discipline.

Bless me with imagination.

Bless me with courage.

Give me the bravery I need to go to the places I must.

Let me never forget the joy that writing brings me.

Let me work,

Let me work,

Let me work.

And, one more day, let me work.