dailyprompt – Page 10

My Favorite Emojis

I don’t really like emojis and I don’t like using them but in this fast-paced digital world of ours, it is a necessary evil. I feel that it takes away from the human touch. There is one for every emotion you want to get across and it does its work well or so it seems. Most of us take it for granted when we get one and don’t pay much attention to it. I don’t.

Recently a male friend told me that I should never send this one ❤️ to just friends or acquaintances. He said it means love and should only be sent to people you love. I disagreed but maybe he is right about me sending the wrong signal. So I have stopped doing that. The thumbs up emoji is my favorite 👍 and I like sending that when something strikes me as being particularly good. Of course, the smiley 😀 is always a good one. Other than that, I don’t use them much.

I’m all about doing it the old-fashioned way. Calling to convey thanks or to show I care. I do understand that it is not always possible when the daily grind takes over and there is not much time to do what you need to get done so the cute little emojis step in and do the work for you even if it is a lukewarm effort. Long live the emojis? Not really. I’ll put up with them just as I do with all the other stuff that the world of technology comes up with even if I have to grit my teeth and do it!

Daily writing prompt

What are your favorite emojis?

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Topics of Discussion

I like talking about all kinds of topics. When I meet up with friends, it is about what is going on in our lives, the latest tidbits, and life in general. Nothing that needs a lot of thinking, just superficial stuff.

However, there are times when we do get into some discussions that involve deep thinking and deeper exploration. Politics and what is happening in the world right now is one such topic. It can get heated at times because opinions are a dime a dozen as they say and swaying someone to your point of view is often a hard thing to do. So I try to stay away from political issues and Trump in particular!

Dating comes up quite often. I have one friend who is on the dating circuit as I am and so we have lots to talk about. Some of it is mind-boggling and some of it shocking! I do learn a lot from her about what NOT to do when out there. We met up yesterday for breakfast and there was lots to talk about. The interesting thing is that we have both decided to take a break from going out on dates. It is time to take a breather from the no good-types out there. Where have all the good men gone? Good question. They are either married or taken!

Lastly but not least, I love talking about my Chachi. Add two more to the mix and there is lots to talk about. My life revolves around the three right now. Chachi, my sweetheart of a boy. He’s a cat but I don’t see him that way. Shiro and Galli are the two who have taken temporary residence here and they do give me lots to talk about! I share my observations with friends about them and how similar they are to humans. I’ve been told that cats are NOT HUMANS! I beg to differ. There are similarities and although not human as some may say, there is much we can learn from them. Keeping quiet and just listening is one thing! Not many humans do that well but my Chachi is a pro when it comes to listening. Perhaps, it goes in one ear and out the other but who cares! Undivided attention is what he gives me.

Those are the kind of topics I like to talk about or discuss with friends. Just ordinary stuff but it keeps me going and some days for hours on end!

Daily writing prompt

What topics do you like to discuss?

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Another Risk Question?!!

I’m not a risk-taker and I’m cautious to boot which is not good for risk taking. I have one friend who takes risks gleefully, it is what makes her life worth living, the unknown is fun for her. I, on the other hand, look at everything twice, dissect the situation to bits, and even then I step back and say no way am I doing that! Still it finds me, the aftermath of risk taking that is and not of the good variety either.

One situation comes to mind. I was in Asia and it was late at night, close to midnight I think. Someone told me that there was an easier way of getting back to where I needed to go and instead of taking a taxi, I decided to take a bus. They didn’t tell me that it would involve standing alone at a bus stop in front of a cemetery! It was dark, there was no traffic going up and down the road and it was spooky! I could hear movement behind me and I could feel the hair standing up on the back of my neck. Luckily the bus came and I got on with no problems. Was there something out there in the darkness? More specifically was it human or other-worldly? I’ll never know and I don’t want to know!

It was a risk I took and I learned my lesson to never do it again! I think that I have a good head on my shoulders and I look carefully before I jump and I have taken that proverb to heart and will continue to do so in all aspects of my life. Call it boring or whatever but it works to keep me out of trouble.

Daily writing prompt

When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

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It Took Courage

I don’t know if I would call it a risk but perhaps it was. I lost a friend a couple of years ago. We were very close and our lives revolved around each other. He was a good person with a very good heart and he taught me how to live again after the divorce.

However, his life on earth was short. He got very sick and his body was shutting down. There was no cure in sight and the person I once knew, the tall, strapping giant of a man was down to skin and bones. He was unrecognizable but the spirit remained. He gave me the task of pulling the plug when the time came. I couldn’t do it but there was no other choice. It meant pain, lots of it and him lost in a world that was unknown to me if it continued. Finally, I said go ahead. It took tremendous courage and the risk? I wasn’t sure if the decision was the right one.

The meds were stopped and it was just a matter of time. It took two weeks until his heart stopped beating. I hugged him the day before but he was already gone. I’ve asked myself this question many times, “Did I do the right thing? Could I have kept him here a little longer?” More importantly, “Do I regret giving them the go ahead?” Part of me still fights with the answers coming back but the part that knows better is at peace with the decision. I know he is in a better place and pain is a thing of the past for him. These days I see him flying with full-fledged wings as he was meant to be. They say the good die young and in his case that’s a true statement.

RIP

Daily writing prompt

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

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A Time When I Didn’t Take Action?

Nothing comes to mind. I’m a pushover at times and kind of a nice person so I either let things fly over my head or turn the other cheek but when it matters, I do take action. I’m really trying hard not to be too nice these days, it works sometimes and some days I am back to square one.

I’m drawing blanks for some reason. It couldn’t have been anything important because I do have the memory of an elephant and I never forget! Perhaps, that is a good thing that I don’t remember having to take action for something. Oh well, that’s a good thing I guess and I’ll let it go at that.

Daily writing prompt

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

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LIFE!

Life makes me nervous and it is for the reasons below.

“LIFE is full of unexpected twists, but most things happen for a reason, a season or a lesson.” Unknown

I am tired of learning lessons, both the hard and not so hard ones. However, I know that life is about learning lessons, picking yourself back up after a hard fall, and moving on. I’ve done it many times over and I’m sure that all of us do it on a regular basis.

Will there ever be a time when life moves smoothly? I suppose it is not in its nature and that is the scary part. Yes, there are good times as well but I seem to think it is more about the bad ones where you are front and center and HOW you deal with whatever comes your way is going to speak volumes about who you are and what you are made of. More specifically, if you have what it takes to meet it halfway, shake hands and say, “This is alright. I am fully capable of dealing with this as well even though I think I need a BREAK!”

Hmm….dream on? Exactly. Buckle up folks, those twists, reasons, and lessons are a never-ending thing. Perhaps, that is what life is about and it makes me NERVOUS!

Unwinding After a Demanding Day

Those high-pressurized days are over with. I’ve taken time off to concentrate on writing and I have all the time in the world to work on what I’m working on. No more churning out articles to meet deadlines and all the pressure that comes with it. These days the only form of stress that comes my way is dealing with what needs to be fixed around the house, Chachi, the cat’s demands, and stress of my own making! Let’s also add the two cats who have moved in temporarily and are adding to the stress factor and you get the picture.

When stress shows up, my go to method of unwinding is to take a walk in the garden which is geared for relaxation. It has a whimsical quality about it and just watching the butterflies moving from flower to flower is soothing and calming. Listening to the birds is something that helps me unwind as well. The bedroom is an oasis for relaxation and it is kept dark and cool. I never have the heat on in the bedroom, I like it cold with lots of blankets! Sometimes listening to music helps but nothing jarring. It has to be soft and mood inducing. If that fails, stand-up comedy helps to bring out the laughter and this definitely does the job of soothing a frazzled nerve.

Meditation and yoga are two of my current methods of winding down for the evening. I’ve always turned to yoga but took a break after hurting myself doing a pretzel move! No more twisting and turning or headstands for that matter. These days I listen to my body so 30 minutes of slow languid moves helps to tone the body, calm the mind and to restore the soul. Meditation and deep breathing combined are major when it comes to getting ready for bed. It never fails to calm my mind and to put it to bed. Not always an easy thing to do since my mind has a mind of its own!

Daily writing prompt

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

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Social Media Usage

I’ve backed off from social media usage simply because my life doesn’t revolve around it anymore. Gone are the days of constantly reaching for my phone to see what is going on and replying to every unnecessary tweet! I don’t need those strokes anymore.

I’m no longer on Facebook, Instagram is not my thing and X, well I’m still on there but I rarely contribute. None of these things have the pull they used to have. Don’t ask me why. Perhaps, it’s because I’m evolving in a different way or rather marching to my own drumbeat. Did I tell you I’m a recluse? Sure looks that way and somehow I’m loving it! There is a certain kind of peace from knowing that you don’t need outside stimulation from the likes of social media to feel good about yourself.

I’m here and that is my social media interaction. It seems to be working fine. I say what I’ve got to say and I wrap it up for the day until tomorrow rolls around and the Daily Prompt stares me in the face again! Boring? I guess but I’m loving it and that is what matters.

Daily writing prompt

How do you use social media?

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Anxiety

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I wanted to say peace but it is nowhere to be seen today. Instead anxiety is taking its place. Why? I don’t know why. It shows up when it sees fit and makes my life a place of unrest and my head fills with unruly thoughts.

The night was fine. I slept like a baby after having done two bouts of yoga, one of the Yin variety and the other to calm the mind down. Both did wonders but here I am again feeling like something is not quite right. Anxiety is defined as an “emotion characterised by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events.”

Perhaps it is just my mind playing tricks on me. It doesn’t like peace because everything moves on an even keel and that doesn’t set too well with it. It likes turmoil when my thoughts churn and move like the waves on a choppy ocean and somehow this movement seems to suit my mind because it is a “monkey” that loves the constant chatter of non-stop movement! Well, it is time to do another round of yoga to calm the mind, get the creative juices flowing and to get into a nirvana state of mind. Wish me luck!

Daily writing prompt

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

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A Random Encounter

I don’t remember his name but it is not important. The meeting took place while I was in high school. He was the caretaker’s son and I met him one day during break time. We were playing some silly game and there he was sitting on a bench staring into space. I recall the smile on his face as he sensed my presence. It was big and bold and somehow didn’t quite fit that small face. I stopped and stared and he said, “Hello!” and that was the beginning.

He was born blind and his eyes looked clouded like there was a veil over them. I was fascinated by them and we talked for a while. The friendship took off and everyday at break time, I was at his place asking questions and listening to him play the piano. One day he played this beautiful melody and called it my song. He had dreams of being a famous pianist and I could see him achieve that dream. He was very talented. We talked about many things and I think I was the only friend he had. Some days after school, I would practice walking around the house with my eyes closed just to see what it felt like to be him. Summer rolled around and there was a break for some time. When school started back up, I couldn’t wait to see him again. The bench where he usually sat was empty. I looked around and there was no sign of him. Then his mother told me he was gone. I didn’t know what that meant at the time but I felt the pain of losing a friend.

Looking back, it was the awakening of compassion and empathy within me. I didn’t know him well but there was a definite connection between us. A chance meeting that would change my life for the better. I would go on to help others but it all began right there when compassion took hold for a fellow human being and empathy did the rest.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

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