dailyprompt – Page 28

Three Impactful Books

I love books and as long as it had romance in it, I considered it a good read. Then I met these three and in some ways they did change my life.

The Thornbirds

I’ve written about this one before. It is a sweeping saga centered on the love between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart, a priest who is torn between his love for the young Meggie and his faith. This bittersweet love affair has several themes but the most poignant is that of ambition, sacrifice and the consequences of sin. You can’t help but root for them but the relationship is doomed from the start.

The impact it had on me was incredible. Here was someone, Colleen McCullough, who wrote with such grace, beauty, expertise and had the power to take you on a journey until the very end. Her words had the power to touch something deep within and I wanted to be just like her!

Wuthering Heights

It was written by Emily Bronte and is a story that revolves around a troubled relationship between Heathcliff, who is adopted by the Earnshaw family and Catherine Earnshaw. However, Catherine marries Edgar Linton for social status which in turn drives Heathcliff to plot revenge against those who wronged him. An intriguing story of class differences and the destructive power of love. A toxic relationship that keeps you enthralled to the very end.

The impact it had on me was that “love” is a painful thing and it has many facets. I still feel that way.

The Diary of Anne Frank

This one was captivating, heart-wrenching and it chronicles man’s inhumanity to man. Anne Frank and her family hide from the Nazis in a “Secret Annex” above a shop in Amsterdam. She goes on to detail her daily life with others in the annex and of her fears and hope amid the war. However, after years in hiding, the family is captured by the Gestapo and sent to concentration camps. Her father, Otto Frank, will be the sole survivor.

The impact it had on me was mind-boggling. I lived her journey right to their capture and later cried when she along with her mother and sister died in the concentration camp. It is a powerful firsthand account of life in hiding and one young girl’s will to survive under unimaginable circumstances. It also taught me that life and people can be cruel.

Daily writing prompt

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

View all responses

My Fears

Two things that happened changed how I viewed life and brought fear into it. The first one I’ve never talked about here because whenever I look at it one question comes to mind, how much of what happened was my fault?

I was an undergraduate at the time. Life was great and I was enjoying my freedom. Then one day he walked in. I was at the university and talking with my boss when he strolled in. Our eyes met. I smiled and he smiled back but his gaze never left my face after that. It was uncomfortable so I looked away and worked at the other desk without looking at him. He was good-lo0king and more like the Ted Bundy type!

The next day I was walking through a hallway when I saw him again. His eyes lit up and he said, “Hello!” I smiled and we talked. Then he asked me, “Would you like to go out sometime?” I was surprised but I shook my head and told him I was seeing someone. He smiled and said okay. A few days later, heavy snowfall meant the university was closed. I decided to take a walk in the snow, it was a beautiful day. Suddenly, he was beside me and asked, “Do you mind if I walked with you?” I said no. We talked about the weather and I found out he was a psychology major and that he was from Wisconsin. That was about it.

Then it started. Roses started appearing outside my door and the phone would go off at all hours of the day and night but especially when I came home from a date late at night and the minute I walked in, the phone would ring incessantly. Then one day there was a knock on the door and I opened it to find him standing there. He had tears rolling down his face and he said, “I love you!” I was shocked. No matter how I pleaded with him, my life was not my own from that point in time. The police couldn’t help because he hadn’t done anything!

He followed me around and wherever I was, he was there. He would bring me a cold drink, walk into the office and leave it on my desk. He would leave flowers outside my apartment door, some left whole and some crushed, with love letters attached to them , and the worst part was when I was on a date and wherever we were, he would be right there! I recall one time when we had taken an evening walk and the next day he told me everything we had talked about! He had been that close.

It continued for six months and it felt like I was living in a glass house. Fear gripped my insides and going out became a terrifying event. Six months to the day it stopped! He went silent and my life was mine again. I don’t know what happened to him but I could breathe again but the fear never left me. Even now the fear is there and perhaps it will never leave but I am glad that I survived that ordeal.

An estimated 13.5 million people are stalked in the US each year and I was one of the lucky ones because stalking usually escalates to rape and murder. What did I learn from it? Stop smiling! That was my first reaction but deep down I knew that the smile was friendly nothing more. He had a problem or problems and there was nothing I could have done about the outcome. I still smile because it is part and parcel of my DNA and I wasn’t going to let someone with mental issues wipe it off my face!

The other fear factor, I will talk about at another time.

Daily writing prompt

What fears have you overcome and how?

View all responses

One Joyful Thing

It is not expensive, I don’t have to buy it and it is not materialistic. The one simple thing I do each and everyday that brings joy to my life is to simply smile and to give out smiles. It’s as simple as that.

There are people who go around with the corners of their lips turned down and they don’t even realize it. A smile is something I wear when I’m out there or on those rare moments when I get myself out and rub shoulders with the human race! I call myself a recluse so it doesn’t happen that often but when I do, I make sure that the smile is front and center.

It is not a fake one where you flash it once and it goes off in the blink of an eye. I’ve been told that I smile with my eyes and I suppose that is a good thing. I say I give out smiles because if I make eye contact with someone, I flash that smile. It just happens naturally, however, do not underestimate the power of a smile because it has the ability to jump start your day and to the person on the receiving end, it says, “I see you and you are worthy of my smile!”

Smiling “increases mood-enhancing hormones while decreasing stress-enhancing hormones, including cortisol, and adrenaline.” It also produces more endorphins-the chemical that relieves pain and stress.

So smile for all you’re worth!

Daily writing prompt

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

View all responses

Unplug and Relax

When my body and mind tell me that it is time to let it all go, that’s when I know that it’s time to unplug and relax. Sometimes it’s a subtle nudge but at other times it is a loud scream.

Unplugging means diving into meditation, staring into space with no thought in mind or just watching something on TV. I love comedies so I look for those and with a nice cup of tea in hand, it’s my go to method for unwinding. Sometimes I listen to Katie Melua or Norah Jones, two beautiful voices that have the ability to whisk you away and keep you there for a while. Add sitting outside in the garden and it is paradise in the making.

It doesn’t take much to unplug. Just a nice shower, I don’t like baths, getting into my comfy PJs, flips-flops on my feet and I’m ready to go. Add some dreamy music, the sounds of the garden all around me, the blue skies above and it happens without me pushing any buttons. Oh, the scent of roses in all their glory is a plus and right now, they are blooming everywhere I look!

Daily writing prompt

How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

View all responses

Qualities I Value Most in a Friend?

A good question because I’ve asked myself that same question many times over. I tend to be a stickler for rules so being my friend is hard because those expectations I have of how a friend should be is sometimes a barrier to true friendship. However, I don’t ask for more than I am willing to give.

As I friend, I am loyal, trustworthy, there when you need me and if help is needed I am ready and willing to do whatever is necessary but sometimes that willingness opens up the door to someone taking advantage of you. It has happened and some of those people are no longer in my life.

“Some people will only be there for you as long as you have something they need. When you no longer serve a purpose, they will leave. The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed these people out of your life and be left with some great people you can count on. We rarely lose friends, we just gradually figure out who our real ones are.” Darren John Maxwell

I had posted something the other day. In the article I made reference to something I was dealing with. The phone rang and there he was, someone who was close to me because at one time we were more than friends. Anyway, he asked, “What is going on?”

ME: “How did you know?”

HIM: “I read your post and I know you better than most people.”

So I told him and it was a good talk. I was thankful for the caring he showed and that folks is what friends are about. They show up when you least expect them to. Showing up is one very important aspect of friendship along with all the other things I mentioned.

“Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.” Christy Evans

Daily writing prompt

What quality do you value most in a friend?

View all responses

Jobs I’ve Had?

I’ve been very conservative about moving from job to job. If I liked a job, I would stay with it and I’ve been lucky enough to say that the jobs I’ve held have kept me there for a long time.

Writing has always been a first love but I didn’t get to concentrate on it fully until at a later stage in my life. Sure, I got articles published at an early age but a job it wasn’t. Just something I dabbled in because I loved writing and getting the word out.

I was in management at the university, both working and studying at the same time. It was tough but it wasn’t really what I wanted to do. However, I bit my lip and held on just long enough until I finished, met my ex and we moved to Europe. Still writing was sporadic to say the least. I published a lot of articles, wrote for magazines and kept my political side alive by writing online articles rubbing shoulders with the best of them. It wasn’t my dream job.

A few years later, I landed the job of Fashion Editor. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea either. Basically I was involved with the celebrity world, what they wore, what they did and what was going on in their lives. Add the supermodels to it and I was right in the middle of what was happening. Still, I was getting tired of designers and the celebrity BS! After a few years of doing that, I got the opportunity to leave that world behind and to go it alone. Now, I write what I want, when I want and my time is mine alone. It’s a good place to be in and writing, well it is still my first and last love. I will always write and I’m hoping my book will be out later this year. Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Religion

My early days as a young girl was all about religion. I couldn’t get away from it even if I had wanted to! Dad was a Bible-toting believer and mom was right behind him getting us in line to do as we were told and the uncle was head of the churches. I really didn’t have a choice.

It meant evenings of Bible study with all of us gathered in the living room listening to dad drone on about some verse he had painstakingly picked out. Then followed gratitude. I learned this one early, there was no escaping it! Each one of us would have to say what we were grateful for and SOME of us had a long long list! Most kids my age were watching TV or relaxing but that wasn’t our way.

I remember when I was 18 I had to teach Bible study and Sunday school. Not that I wanted to but it was a must as far as my parents were concerned. I did do that like an obedient girl but inside I was ready to throw the mantel off and take off to less familiar places. University gave me a reprieve. I became my own person and I had a chance to really figure out what I wanted in life. Religion was still a big part of my life and learning to live the way my parents had taught me was never far away. It still is even after all these years. I guess once it is instilled in you, it never leaves. Not a bad thing really but it was a tough upbringing.

I am learning to let my son decide for himself as to religion and his beliefs. Unfortunately, he is choosing to go a whole different direction! God is the last thing on his mind but perhaps that is normal for young people these days.

Yes, I practice religion but not in the way I was told to do so. I believe there is a higher power and I do turn to prayer when times get tough. I don’t go to church as often as I used to but that is okay. I can talk to god anywhere and whenever I want to. Oh, and I don’t read the Bible as I used to either but I don’t need to because some of those scripture versus are still ingrained in my mind!

Daily writing prompt

Do you practice religion?

View all responses

Life Before the Internet

Honestly, I don’t recall a time before the internet! It seems like it has been there forever and ever, AMEN!

I do know that life without it would be unbearable for someone like me because I use it a lot to get the information I need. However, the problem I have with the internet is something else. Just when I think I’ve got it down pat as to how everything works, they, the tech Gods, go and change it on me! I am not tech savvy so I find this to be a big problem. However, I’ve been keeping up with the changes as they come and when once I would have run to the friend who passed away for help, I am finding that I am fully capable of doing things on my own now.

No, I can’t remember a time without the internet at my beck and call. I do recall several times when my internet and telephone company were doing some work on the lines and I was without “internet” and phone connections for a few days and it drove me up the wall! When it came back, I was ready to embrace it “tech Gods” and all!

Long live the internet!

Daily writing prompt

Do you remember life before the internet?

View all responses

I’m Good at….

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com

I’m really good at having my head somewhere in the clouds! I love day dreaming and that is my current preoccupation. Spending time in the garden watching the clouds roll by is a nice thing to do. No worries, no headaches, no hassles and no stress! It is a good way to relax as well.

However, seriously, I’m very detail-oriented. I pay attention to detail and love getting assignments finished on time. The Daily Prompt can attest to my diligence of getting a post out everyday and this is a goal I have in mind and I get it done. It is not only good for my mind but it helps to bring my scattered thoughts in line. Sometimes things I had forgotten about and put away in the farthest corner of my mind emerge and I don’t know if that is a good thing but sometimes it helps to give clarity to the whole picture.

The other thing I am good at is organizing. I detest clutter both at home and in the office space. Paperwork is another thing altogether but all the other stuff I’ve got a pretty good handle on. I know where to look for things I need and usually have them within a few minutes of looking. I find that to be a good thing and it saves time and some unwanted frustration.

Lastly, I think I’m a good friend. I tend to be dependable, loyal and someone you can trust. Add being punctual and you’ve got a good friend who is always on time and one who will listen when you need to get something out and one who will give you a shoulder to cry on if it is needed.

I THINK I am good at other things too but they’ve gone hiding because I can’t think of anything else. Oh well, enough already. Time to go day dream and watch the birds in flight!

Daily writing prompt

What are you good at?

View all responses

Is Having It All Attainable?

I am looking for peace in my life and so having it all would mean also having all of the other things that go towards bringing peace in my life. Basically, it means freedom to be who I am, the ability to think freely, living a life that is free of stress, worries and fear and last but not least having someone by my side who will help me achieve all of those things.

Is it attainable? Honestly, I don’t know. I am trying to achieve peace but it is not of the lasting kind and that is the problem. Life happens and peace is nowhere to be seen at those times or I need to learn better ways of managing stress and dealing with problems. Once I have that in line, perhaps peace will happen. I am not holding my breath because as I said life has a way of testing to see if it can rattle my search for inner wisdom and PEACE. So far, life has had the upper hand.

What about the guy? The guy is still somewhere out there and he is refusing to ask for directions! Typical man thing. Attainable? Perhaps, perhaps not. Only time will tell.