Marcus Lopés

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Private: Writing Off the Grid

Father Daughter … Son

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“Why am I here?” Ian glanced at his watch. “It’s been a goddamn waste of time.”

Karen swatted her brother’s arm. “Language. You’re in church, not on Third Street turning a trick.”

Ian bristled. “I haven’t turned a trick in nine years. And for the record, we’re in the refectory.” When his sister’s mouth dropped open, he added, “God, you’re gullible.”

“You know…” Karen stepped in front of Ian and blocked him from moving away. “This is an important day, and it would be nice to get through it without any drama. So, behave…and watch your language.”

“Bite me!” Ian turned slightly away and surveyed the room. Why was he here? Why had he stayed? Now was the time to cut and run until he saw the woman wearing an obnoxious, wide brim black hat coming towards them. [Read more…] about Father Daughter … Son

1,578,240 Minutes and Counting

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Or 1,096 days. Or 36 months.

That’s how long it’s been since I stopped drinking on 17 January 2018.

“Why?” many of my friends and colleagues asked with bewilderment as much as curiosity.

Most didn’t like the answer: Because I wanted to change my life.

No one pressured me to stop drinking. When it came to alcohol, I knew my limit and respected it. Alcohol wasn’t ravaging my life. “Then…why?” people continued to ask. [Read more…] about 1,578,240 Minutes and Counting

2020: Imperfectly Perfect

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2020 is over. But the gift it gave us — COVID-19 — continues to impact millions around the world. Here in Ontario, we entered a province-wide lockdown on 26 December 2020. The City of Toronto has been locked down since 23 November 2020. Tough days are still ahead, but we will, together, weather this storm. I’m still hanging on to hope because, in the words of Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” [Read more…] about 2020: Imperfectly Perfect

2020: It Changed Everything

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I don’t know about you, but at the beginning of 2020, I had some big, ambitious plans. I’d hoped to: publish two full-length novels, complete my second full marathon, and begin transitioning out of a job that I no longer enjoyed. Those were my top goals for the year that would push me closer to living my life’s purpose, to be more daring and bold. Most of all, I wanted to stop caring about what other people think and focus on what matters most. Then COVID-19 hit and changed everything.

Embracing Reality

COVID-19 brought a lot of chaos to the world, turned lives upside-down, and claimed too many lives. Until March of this year, I worked in the aviation industry. As airlines cut flights, I was among the first of employees that were furloughed. I had a choice — wallow and complain about my situation, or make the best of it. I chose to embrace reality and threw my energy into what mattered most. Writing. Living my best life. Staying true to who I am.

What 2020 Has Taught Me

changed everythingDespite being able to focus on my writing, it hasn’t been easy. Going from a full-time job to no job. Staying home and not seeing friends or family. Feeling cut off from the world, a growing disconnect. Still, I’m learning just how resilient the human spirit is. There is hope just beyond the horizon. That if we believe, good things can, and will, happen.

As the year winds down, and with a potential vaccine for COVID-19 only weeks away from approval, I am hanging on to hope. Hope is the light that guides us through the darkness, that gives us the courage to go on when we’re on the verge of giving up.

For me, 2020’s greatest lesson is this: don’t give up.

Signing Off

A lot has happened this year. One thing I’ve become better at is taking care of myself, knowing when to push on and when to rest. Now it’s time to rest. I’ll see you in 2021. In the meantime, be well, stay safe, and live your best life.

What is your biggest achievement of 2020? Leave a comment below or click Reply to share.

Staying Positive During a Pandemic

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When the first lockdown occurred here in Ontario — and especially when there was a lot of uncertainty about the way forward — I stayed positive. Despite losing my job, I saw it as an opportunity to focus on my writing and other creative pursuits. And that was how I spent my days. Being creative. And since March, I’ve written three novels (two solid first drafts and one that’s almost ready for publication). I learned to make duck confit. I ran (until an injury sidelined me for a while). Writing. Running. Being creative in the kitchen. Those things made staying positive in the early days of the pandemic possible. [Read more…] about Staying Positive During a Pandemic