It has weathered many of life’s storms and now has a permanent home under my desk so it’s always handy – although it can travel, if necessary. It was taken out of retirement when I needed it to assist me with a new venture years ago. This worn hunter green 6 x 8 metal canister with a candy bar painted on its side is simply called “The Tin.”
What’s in it and why is it so important, you ask? Well, inside you will find many different kinds of my favorite chocolates: Milky Way, Hershey’s, Dove, M&M’s, York Peppermint Patties and many more. They can come and go quickly depending upon circumstances – often whether I have writer’s block or a lot of red corrections back from my editor. If The Tin becomes empty, you know I’ve had a rough week.
The Tin and its yummy contents have served a definite purpose. When I became a writer a few years ago, The Tin became my daily companion and motivation to get through rough drafts. You may be surprised at how a melted Hershey’s Kiss lingering in my mouth could propel me to forge on with my writing – or a Butterfinger bring a new idea. And, when it got really bad, it was Dove Chocolate to the rescue (the encouraging messages on the wrapper helped too).
And so The Tin is always near me as I write – just in case. In fact, excuse me, while I take a quick break and “Reach for the Tin.”
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