The ultimate test of a daily morning writing practice: power tools in the neighborhood, at close range. The mind scrambles for cover. Maybe headphones with loud Mozart? Maybe give it up and try to write later? But wait – how is this any different from sitting and listening to the birds this morning? The opportunity to observe the mind is the same. Notice that the sounds are followed by very different mind/body responses: Birds –> delight. Power tools –> distress. Can I play with the possibility of powerful tools –> delight? Or that both birds and power tools simply are, without emotional response? I have to stop writing and be very still.