Tag: dailyprompt

I define success in life by not letting society define it for me.  It is not about wealth, status symbols, or even what it means to be successful the way society sees it.

In my book, it is the freedom to do what I want and the ability to make my own choices when and how I want it.  

Building deep connections and to feel valued is an important piece of the puzzle.  I’m working on this one.  It is hard when you’re a self-made recluse but I’m slowly moving out of that mode and into connecting again.  The English Conversation Club I started recently is helping me to do just that.  The people are extremely nice and we are having fun!  The group is getting bigger and at some point, I will have to stop taking in new people before it gets out of control.  The important part, I’m meeting new people and for a “recluse” it is nerve-racking but somehow nice at the same time.

I am learning to grow and to accept challenges as they come and not get into the doldrums if things don’t work out the way I want them to.  That is a success story in itself.  Those end-of-the-world theatrics are gone, well not quite but I’m getting there.

Success is not just about achieving all those things that society views as a success story because there is more to it than just that.  In my younger days, I worked hard to meet those milestones, now that I’m older I look back at my life and I have much to be thankful for.  I have a comfortable lifestyle, a beautiful home, gorgeous surroundings that take my breath away and I’m working on the “peaceful mind” part.  

I would define that as being successful in life, although, the guy is still missing.  He is not going to make or break my success story, he’ll add to it when he shows up.  That is if he ever shows up!

How do you define success in life?

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This is another one of those questions that I have no answers for.  Plus, it is too early in the morning to dive that deep into my mind and pull something out.

I deal in facts and those facts always seem relevant to me so I love sharing them.  Sorry folks, I have nothing more to add to this question.

Next question please……

What’s a completely useless fact you love sharing?

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I’m into horror movies and I love scaring myself but “The Exorcist” was one above all the others.  

The movie is considered to be terrifying because, “it grounds supernatural horror in clinical realism, a chilling violation of domestic safety, and deep psychological or spiritual dread rather than cheap jump scares.”

However, I found the head spins more than terrifying.  The first one was a 180 degree spin and the second happens during the exorcism and it involves a full 360-degree rotation.  What transpires during the head spins was terrifying, horrific, and when she, (Regen MacNeil) speaks in a male baritone voice, it was enough to make you jump and run for cover!

I wouldn’t recommend this movie if you are faint of heart but if you’re like me, scared but loves to be spooked, go for it!

What’s a book or movie that genuinely scared you?

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I’ve written about Sri Lanka many times here and it is still on my bucket list.  I’ve heard that it is beautiful, lush, and glorious.

Following travel documentaries, I’ve learned a lot about the country but have yet to see it in person.  It’s the kind of place where you can kick back, go barefoot, and dream for all you’re worth.

The food is delicious I’ve been told, the spas heavenly, and the people friendly and welcoming.  I would love to spend more than a week there so does this free round-trip ticket take that into account and can I bring a friend along?

Ireland is another place where I would love to visit and it is also known as the Emerald Isle.  It has lush year-round landscapes and it is simply beautiful.   Maybe next time around.

If you had a free round-trip ticket to anywhere, where would you go?

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I love music and I love songs of the romantic nature, however, for the life of me I can’t think of one song that changed my life.

Can a song do that?  Maybe for some people but I haven’t come across one that had the ability to change my life for whatever the reason.  I’ve heard songs that made me fall in love, songs that made me cry my eyes out, songs that made me take flight because it was so beautiful but NOTHING that helped change my life.

Next question please…..

What’s a song that changed your life?

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Just kidding.  I know what cryptocurrency is because I was married to someone who was a heavyweight in the investment field.  He loved investing and taking risks.  Sometimes there were wins and at other times he took a hit but he used to say that it was part of taking a risk and I agree.  That is why I love safe bets!

However, if truth be told, there is always a risk factor involved in investments and unfortunately that is the truth and with some investments more so than others.

Coming back to cryptocurrency.  What is it?  It is defined as a “digital form of money that exists only online and has no physical coins or paper bills.” Sounds daunting?  It is to me.  You store your crypto in a software program called a digital wallet.  Here is the thing, cryptocurrency is considered an investment asset but a high-risk one and if your portfolio size is a big one, go for it.

I’d rather stick with less risky investments.  I have two but I won’t go into them here.  The two have grown in worth but it took years and I consider them to be safe bets.  Crypto?  It is for people like my ex who don’t mind losing and ones who get an adrenalin rush when they get wins.  

I breathe easy with mine and that matters.  

What are your thoughts about cryptocurrency?

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It was and is, “Don’t stay down too long, get back up, dust off, and move on.”  

My mom used to say something to that effect when I was younger and I thought it was all a bunch of you know what.  I was young then, but now that I am older and wiser, those words have stood the test of time. I have taken those words to heart and each time I fall, those words remind me of the strength within and it is far from simple. When I zero in on those words it never fails because I always stand back up to face another day.

There is wisdom in those words and no matter what, gather the strength within and do what you know you must.  Take your time but standing back up is your only option. Keep moving, learning as you go and somewhere along the way you will reach your destination. 

I HOPE SO!

If you had to sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?

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I don’t take pictures and this includes selfies as well.  All the pics I have were taken by the friend who passed away.

Taking pics is just not my thing and I don’t ask me why. I know some people who just love taking pictures or love having their pictures taken.  I think I look awful in pics BUT they, my friends, tell me, “Not true!”  The friend who passed away loved snapping pics of anything that he found interesting and during our time together, I became the “thing” he found interesting!

Now, I exist without someone snapping shots of me and the time that I do take a pic, it is of Chachi, my little darling.  Even then, it is not that often.

The other thing is that I’m a very private person and it will stay that way.

So this question doesn’t work for me…..next question please.

Share a few recent shots from your camera roll, no context needed.

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It is tattered and torn now but it still hangs on the kitchen wall above the microwave.  The words are faded and you can’t make out all that it says anymore because time has erased a lot of the words.

He, my son, made it in kindergarten for Mother’s Day.  The angel has two red wings and a white heart in the middle.  It says:

My Dear Mother,

I want to send you flowers and I also want to say you are the best mother in the whole world.

There was more but it is too faded to make out. The spelling wasn’t correct and it was written in German.  None of that mattered because even now, I have tears rolling down my face as I look at that tattered and faded masterpiece.  I look at it whenever we have a falling out and I remember the times when it was so simple with us.  I talked and he listened. He has a mind of his own now. 

There were minefields to walk through as he got older but the piece of art that those little hands fashioned have stood the test of time.  It reminds me that I was fully and truly loved and so it still hangs on that kitchen wall to remind me in case I forget.

Oh, he had also cut a floral bouquet out of some magazine and pasted it carefully at the bottom of the heart.  It still looks fresh and beautiful, I suppose it always will.

 

What’s one thing you own that holds deep sentimental value?

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I don’t think I’ve really had bad travel experiences, because I research everything carefully before embarking on one.

There were small things like finding myself in certain places I shouldn’t be in because I followed some advice someone gave me but they weren’t that bad either.    One experience I recall and still gives me the creeps is the time we went to Singapore, my son and I, and we stopped a taxi on the street.  I sat in the front seat next to the driver.  My son was in the backseat with a girlfriend. The driver was a fat balding Chinese man, seemed friendly at first until he kept his eyes on me and I felt my hair stand up at the back of my neck.  He put on some loud music and asked, “Do you like this music?”  I shrugged my shoulders and refused to engage in conversation with him. Then he pretended to reach for something on the console and lightly brushed my thigh and gave me another look again!  

I prayed that he would get us safely to our destination and he did.  When we got out and I paid him, he took the money and gave me this leery grin again.  He was creepy.  Later, my son asked, “What was wrong with that driver?”  I told him I don’t know but that guy still stays on my mind to this day. 

One other experience was our trip to Dubai.  My ex had booked this flight that would take us the long way there.  He loved making life difficult.  Anyway, after several changes we arrived at our final destination at around 9 in the evening.  We walked out of the plane and a blast of HOT air hit us.  It was enough to make you gasp for air.  It seems, even in the evenings or at night, Dubai stays hot and it didn’t get better either.  The days were unbearably hot and staying indoors in air-conditioned areas was the way to go.  

I don’t think I’ve had any bad experiences other than the ones I mentioned.  I’m not a risk-taker so safety first is my thing.  Thankfully, most of my experiences have been on the positive side and I hope that they stay that way! 

What’s the worst travel experience you’ve ever had?

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