dailyprompt – Page 31

A Quote I Live By?

Most of you know I love quotes. I find them inspiring and it is a quick pick-me-up when days are not looking like I want it to look like. Just a quote or two and it does the trick of getting me back to where I need to be. Just words you might say. True, but inspiring ones nonetheless.

One quote I live by and have lived by for a long time is this. “Live and Let Live.” Such simple words but it is needed in this world of ours where ugliness and cruelty rules and being different is considered a cardinal sin. This indirect quote “emphasizes coexistence and respect for all life forms.” If you look further, it means let someone live their life as he or she chooses and accept it for what it is. This acceptance bit is hard to come by in some circles.

Racism thrives on viewing individuals as being different because of skin color religious beliefs and or behavioral traits. Anything different in this circle is a no go or looked upon with disdain. I consider racism and racist attitudes the bane of our society. Someone said to me recently, “It will never change, racism will always exist. There is nothing you and I can do about it.” I beg to differ. Our world can be so much better if we can embrace each person for who they are and not for their outward appearance, who they marry and who they choose to be with and their worship practices. It shouldn’t matter but unfortunately it does. Just look at what Trump is unleashing in America and the world. Being “brown” could bring you a death sentence in a concentration camp somewhere far away.

LIVE AND LET LIVE for a better world, for acceptance of all people and for world peace as well. Here’s the thing it starts with you. One small step at a time as I always say. Teach your children the same. It starts at home and it is doable.

Daily writing prompt

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

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My Favorite Holiday

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

It’s hands down Christmas. I just love it when that time of year rolls around. Everything just seems to be covered in shades of pink and there is a glow in the air. Add all the trimmings and you’ve got a holiday that is filled with love and all things nice.

Christmas time used to be a big affair where everything was bigger than life. When I was married, the traditions continued but on a smaller scale. It was still a time when good food and decorations reigned supreme. There was magic in the air and when the 24th rolled around, the house was dressed and ready to impress. These days, it is of a less spectacular nature. The lights and decorations are still there but it has been toned down.

As a young girl growing up in a Christian household, it was about the birth of baby Jesus. Everything had a religious feel to it but when I moved away and spread my wings, it became less so. It still had a hold on me, this magical time of year but it was more about friends and getting together and exchanging presents than the birth of a young child in a manger long ago. I guess things change and not always for the better!

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

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Camping

Photo by Lisbeth Bringebøen on Pexels.com

I used to do that during my undergrad days. I had a boyfriend who loved fishing as much as I did and one day he had the bright idea of us camping overnight at one of these places, the places being remote locations tucked away in the woods. It was wonderful finding a spot, throwing your line in, sitting back and enjoying the quiet until the fish bites! I loved the absolute peace of the place so I was more than ready to experience it at night.

On the given day, we made it there early and as usual it was empty except for the two of us. We built our campsite on a jetty protruding into the water. He gathered wood for the fire and got it going. It was still peaceful but then the sun started going down and the woods got dark. There was a creepy vibe about it but I kept it to myself. It was time for dinner so we had something simple and something warm to drink. The boyfriend wanted to fish so he threw out the line and took a seat as we talked about nothing in particular. It was very dark and I decided to curl up in my sleeping bag as he kept watch. Suddenly, we heard a loud sound coming from the woods. It sounded like footsteps so I looked at him and he said, “Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen.” The sounds stopped and it got eerily quiet. Then other sounds picked up. An owl hooting and something else. It sounded like low whispering! I was getting nervous and wanted to say it was a bad idea but I kept quiet. After a while, I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was morning. My friend was still up but he looked strange like he was scared. I asked what was wrong and he said nothing. The sun was up and we decided to do a little more fishing before heading out. Just as we were packing up our stuff, we heard a very loud sound of something crashing to the ground. I jumped and said, “What was that?!!” He said it was nothing and added, “Let’s go!” Did he experience something in the night? I don’t know but it was spooky and I would never do it again. I later found out that the place we were at used to be an Indian burial ground! Probably Cherokee because we were in Tennessee at the time.

I love camping but I wouldn’t do it nowadays. Those carefree days are done with and I know too much now to ever do something that dumb again. Anything could have happened but it didn’t and I’m thankful for that. Camping is fun but be prepared for the unexpected, good and bad!

Daily writing prompt

Have you ever been camping?

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When Do I Feel Most Productive?

There is no specific time. Sometimes creativity hits when I least expect it like when I’m in the shower or doing something mundane like cleaning the kitchen or doing the laundry. My physical self is doing the ordinary but my mental self is being very productive at those times. I call it a form of moving meditation.

Some days my mind doesn’t do anything productive except to give me negative back talk! Other days, it is raring to go and just when I’m making breakfast or washing the dishes an idea hits and I think I need to get this down on paper before it disappears. Some days I do and on other days I get lazy and I let it pass. The problem is some of those ideas are doozies and I often regret not putting them down on paper to be used later. However, my mind comes up with enough ideas so one or two falling by the wayside is not going to matter much.

Coming back to your question, I am most productive when I don’t see it coming!

Daily writing prompt

When do you feel most productive?

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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 love discussing about all kinds of topics especially those that fit into my current way of life. If you want to talk about self-discovery and ways to achieve that, I am all in. However, I love discussions about love as well. The elusive variety that is out there but is hard to find and to pin down!

I know all there is to know about the, “here today and gone tomorrow” variety. I’ve been there and done that many times over. I want to know about the “never-ending” kind that is here to stay and doesn’t go looking for greener pastures when the notion strikes. This kind of love has my attention and I’m working towards finding the answers to this question. “What makes love stay?” I haven’t found the answer or answers yet but I am on a fact-finding mission and knowing me it is just a matter of time before I unlock that secret.

Good luck you say? I don’t think luck has anything to do with it. Perhaps, it is about lying down and playing dead meaning accepting what is dished out and calling it love. If that’s the case, I’ll take a pass on love. The kind I’m looking for is the kind where the guy says, “You look beautiful,” even when I am old and wrinkled but he doesn’t see it, just the essence of me. Make sense? Enough rambling, he’s out there, I just need to find him.

Can we make it easier please?

No way?

Thought so. Off I go on my journey of discovery.

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. Trying really 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. 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.

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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The Dating Scene

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Going out on dates makes me very nervous. I hate the whole prep work leading up to the date. What to wear? Hair up or down? Casual or dressy? Makeup? I don’t wear heavy-duty makeup, just a touch of powder and lipstick so that is easy. However, everything comes into play and it makes me very nervous. I think more than anything else, I don’t want to be out there and that is the biggest problem.

I was married for a long time and when it got blown to bits, I had to make a choice. Stay single or put myself out there again. In the beginning, it was even fun. Meeting up for lunch or dinner was okay after the initial awkwardness. The dates usually turned out fine but I think I was the problem. If I got asked out again, I would come up with excuses. Then there was the problem of setting boundaries. I wanted to be friends but they wanted more. It turned out to be a big problem for me. If they gave me a compliment, I would get nervous. If they looked at me a certain way, I would cringe and wonder why. If they went “Whoa!” I would say, “What?!!” Add the “don’t touch policy” I came up with and you get the picture. It was a horror scenario.

I am single still (no wonder you might say) and a recluse to boot! I hate to say it but I love the freedom of not having to wonder what they are thinking, what they want and what they expect from me. Nervousness is on the backburner for now but there is a price to pay. I am alone most days but not lonely. I do want a guy in my life at some point but for now I’m not in a rush. When the time is right, he’ll show up BUT I don’t want to do the work for it. Pick the perfect guy from the crowd and drop him in my lap and I’ll be just fine!

Daily writing prompt

What makes you nervous?

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