Smile

A few weeks ago while at an artist residency I was asked, if during all of my travels I had ever experienced any negativity. I believe the question was, “MJ. You wear the fact that you hail from the South so prominently. Have you ever had any negative experiences with people from different areas of the country?”

“No. I don’t think so.” I said. “Most people seem to be more intrigued than anything.”

“Why do you think that is?” She asked.

Pondering the question for the first time, I responded that I thought it was because most people are good. That I believe we all want the same thing, to live a happy life. And, that I always try to be a light of positivity towards others.

“You’d be surprised how disarming a smile can be.” I said.

As an over the road truck driver I do travel quite a bit. I’ve logged over 300,000 miles in the past 5 years, and have visited every corner of this vase nation. I’ve spent weeks out on the west coast, the opposite corner of the physical continent, political view, and many values of the deep south. I take pride in my southern roots. There's no doubt that when you see me for the first time, you are liable to create an instant judgment of me. But then, before you can confirm that initial judgment, you’re greeted by my big, well wishing smile.

At first, yes it may be disarming. But a smile is much more than that. A smile is compassion, and understanding. A smile says, “thank you for the job you do.” It says, “I am your brother.” A smile is God’s light, and it illuminates goodness in everything it shines upon.

This revelation came to me when reading ‘Into the Wild’, by Chris McCandless, aka Super Tramp. He said that when hitchhiking, the number one thing you can do to get picked up is smile. He continued that, if the driver saw nothing else as they passed by, he wanted them to see his smile. It was an eye opener for me…it became my mantra. That’s how I want to live my life! Smiling.

So the real secret to why I haven't experienced negativity while traveling America as a Southerner is, I think, because I wear a smile. Try it for yourself. Smile at everyone! It may feel silly at first, but I bet you start to see the good in others grow bigger and bigger with each smile you give. Before long you’ll start to notice an inner smile too, a happiness growing within yourself.

You never know what a smile may mean to someone in passing. Maybe it was just what they needed to make it through, yet another tough day. Maybe, a smile is just what you need today.

-MJ Polk

Dec
2024

What is an Artist Residency?

An Artist Residency is a safe space. A sanctuary for the soul. It's a place any person can go to find and nourish the artist within.

If God, is the God of Creativity- which I know he is- this is the place he preaches. And his sermon is loud and clear, “you are an Artist. You have a gift. Use it. Share it. Art is your ministry”.

So I will heed his words. I will speak- or write in my case- his truth. Art is love. And what this world needs more than anything, is love.

Whether it’s a botanical painting, or an abstract beach scene; he is there calling to us, pleading us to stop and listen, to see the beauty in all things. It could be a poem or a song, an essay or photo; art comes in many forms, all of them inspired by the Creator.

Artists are the vessel he uses to share that beauty with the world. And an Artist Residency, is a place they can hoan their message, surrounded by peers that get it, that inspire one another. An Artist Residency is a gift.

-MJ Polk

Nov
2024

A Gift and A Note

To my friend,

It was so good to see and talk with you the other night! I’m glad you're home, there's no better place to regroup than surrounded by the people you love.

I believe each of us has our own path. Sometimes it's easy strolling, sometimes not. There will be obstacles in our path…one may be a small pebble that hits your heel just right(ouch), or one may well be a huge boulder that we must find our way around. Often, we even need to back up a little, to gain more momentum to make it up the hill standing in our way.

Journaling is how I make sense of it all. First, when I was drowning in a sea of despair, it was a life raft. Now, it's the canoe I use to navigate the sometimes calm, mostly turbulent river of life. My hope is that the following pages will give you a place to organize your thoughts and find clarity as well.

When we spoke the other night, you mentioned how you used to love to write, and that journaling sounded like a good idea. Well here's a little push. Please consider this gift a handle, use it to steady you on this crazy ride we call life.

Your friend, MJ

Oct
2024

Bluebird

Like most mornings, I woke just before my alarm went off today. I've been trying to do better. Trying to be more mindful, more thankful. I know that the more gratitude I have, the happier I am.

But this morning, my first thoughts were of how tired I still am. And a bit of dread creeps in.

The alarm trumpets my morning call to action. I cut it off quickly, trying not to disturb my sleeping wife. Leaning over to give her a good morning kiss, I answer the call.

I dredge my way to the kitchen, start a pot of coffee, then sit down to my journal.

However, as I sit down something new catches my eye. Well it's not new, but it’s in a new place.

My Grandma Meme’s Crystal Bluebird is in the window above the kitchen sink. It wasn’t there yesterday. At least I don’t think it was… and as I reminisce, my mood begins to rise.

I think of my Meme. Of how loving she was. Of how, for me, she was the definition of happiness. And of how that same crystal Bluebird sat in her kitchen window for so many years.

I have a tattoo of ‘the Bluebird of Happiness’ on my right forearm. Its meaning carries such significance for me.

But it isn’t just mine. The Bluebird carries a message of positivity on its wings, spreading Hope and Joy to countless peoples throughout the world.

Native Americans believe it is a sign of prosperity. It’s meant glad tidings across Europe and Asia for centuries.

Its message is inspiring. The poet and playwright, Maurice Masterlinck, wrote a hit play in 1908 called ‘The Bluebird’, about a young girl and her brother seeking happiness. Which has since been the basis of several films and a tv series.

In 1934 Jan Peerce wrote a song titled ‘Bluebird of Happiness’, as did Edward Heyman and Sandor Harmati in 1934, that sold over a million copies.

But for me, I think Miranda Lambert says it best in her song titled ‘Bluebird’.

“And if the house just keeps on winning, I got a wild card up my sleeve. And if love keeps giving me lemons, I’ll just mix ’em in my drink. And if the whole wide world stops singing, and all the stars go dark, I’ll keep a light on in my soul, and a Bluebird in my heart.”

-MJ Polk

Sept
2024

The Courage to Write

It’s scary. I didn’t even think I could read until 4 or 5 years ago, or ‘read for real’, as I would say. I couldn’t make it through a magazine article, much less a book. I’d drift off into another world after a paragraph or two, and lose my place all together.

And now, I want to write? Like, seriously? How can I…be a writer? I barely squeaked through High School. I dropped out of College. I work full time. It’s absurd to think about. Me, a writer. Ha, yeah right!

But I’m doing it. I’m writing right now. Therefore, I am a writer. Will I be a published writer? I don’t know, but I think so. I am working on it. One thing’s for sure, if I don’t write, I’ll never be published. And I do want to be published, or for others to read my works and be inspired. And, it certainly would be nice to get paid to write.

But being published isn’t the main goal. Allowing my soul to speak, creating art in the form of words, writing in itself, is the goal. Maybe it’s scary if I think about it too long, or dwell on publication, or other peoples’ opinions…so I don’t think, I just write. And, I’ll cross those bridges when I come to them.

-MJ Polk

The Southern Copywriter