dailyprompt – Page 9

The Death Sentence

This is an issue that still grips me today. I used to be against the taking of a life and the death sentence was a no go as far as I was concerned until the day someone took my mother’s life.

My world got turned upside down and at the forefront was the issue of the death sentence. I was so sure that she (the perpetrator) would get the death penalty. I was so wrong but the problem was that I was sitting on the fence wanting it to happen, the death penalty to be handed down, and at the same time I wasn’t so sure. It was a time of deep unrest and turmoil of the worst kind.

I changed from someone who was against capital punishment to someone who thought that “an eye for an eye” was the way to go. Since I couldn’t do it myself, believe me I wanted to, I would let the justice system mete out the punishment. SHE deserved to die for what she had done! That was my rallying cry at the time.

The decision was not in my hands. The verdict was manslaughter to a lesser degree. Outrage? Absolutely. Why? I don’t know. Some technicality, it was said. Anyway, at some point in time while I was raging about the unfairness of it all, I looked in the mirror and saw someone else emerging. A person filled with anger, rage and revenge. I didn’t like what I saw.

I’ve changed my views on the death penalty since then. It’s a matter of survival for me. I needed to let go of the “demon” holding me in its grip. Rage and revenge had no place in my life. My mom is in a better place and so I decided to let it be. Basically, capital punishment does not deter crime but more importantly, the death penalty would not have brought my mom back to life.

I’ve changed my mind and I’m back to where I was in the beginning. No death penalty. One source says that capital punishment “constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment, which is prohibited under international human rights standards.” I still ask the question, “Did my mom get the justice she deserved.” The answer is a resounding NO! However, capital punishment would not have made it better either.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

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Public Speaking

I recall I was still in university when I applied for a job and got it! It was for the Management Department at the same university and the job itself didn’t scare me but one of the parts of the job did.

There were two of us who worked this job. My colleague was a beautiful blonde and she was a seasoned veteran or rather a pro at what she did. I, on the other hand, was shy, an introvert and hated attention of any kind. Our job was to welcome 30 or more top-level managers to the university and lead them through a week of training. This involved meeting them at the hotel lobby when they arrived, mingling at reception and taking them out to dinner at some of the nicest restaurants in town. A dream job? Some may think so but I was young and inexperienced and not ready to spread my wings. I could handle the reception and hosting the dinner part. My problem was the public speaking gig that was part and parcel of the job.

I was so out of my league and I just couldn’t get up on stage, step up to the podium and do my welcome speech. Imagine this if you had 30 or 40 top guns in the industry staring back at you from the auditiorium! I did everything I was told to do and I even imagined them in their underwear but it didn’t help. I waited in the wings feeling like I was about to have a heart attack before my boss introduced me and left me on stage to do my bit alone.

It was excruciating but the minute I opened my mouth and started speaking, the nervousness settled down and according to my boss, I had done a marvelous job with the speech. I didn’t think so. That job made me feel so out of place but it was a good learning experience for later on. Sometimes the things we dread and make us feel out of place are the very things that help to catapult us to a better place in life. I changed jobs as soon as I could but I got better and more confident as I went along. Where did I go next? That is for another time.

There were many instances in my life where I felt out of place but that experience stands out like a sore thumb for more reasons than one!

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

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My Life Without a Computer

Just when I’m getting used to having the computer at my beck and call, here’s a question that wants me to do without! Can I go back to a time without the computer? Let me see…..

It was tedious. Googling was out of the question so I had to spend lots of time at the library looking up information for my classes and it wasn’t like I could get the answers just like that either! It took lots of time. In one word, difficult!

The piece of technology that I always complain about is my constant companion these days so being without it would be like missing a friend terribly! Just like a friend, it has its ups and downs and SOMETIMES it drives me up the wall BUT it would be boring and difficult without it there. If I wanted to know something, just type in the words and there it is.

Writing might be slower too. I whizz through it now and within a few minutes or an hour, I have something whipped up and ready to do. Without the computer, I would be putting it all down on paper and that is time-consuming not to say a big mess! Now, I can brush it up, correct it, make it look good and send it off in no time at all.

What would my life look like without a computer? I hate to admit it but it would be difficult, boring, hair pulling stressful and without my “best friend” there, I would be up the creek without a paddle!

So, there, did I make you feel good? Good, now behave and let’s do this my way!

Daily writing prompt

Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

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Like Water Off a Duck’s Back

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I would like to be able to let things go and watch as it dissipates like water off a duck’s back. It is not an easy thing to do especially if you’re like me. I take a lot of things to heart and I play ball with it for as long as it takes. Putting my magnifying glasses on, I go over every detail as if it is of the utmost importance but in reality, it was nothing more than a tidbit thrown in my direction but one that I in my innate humanness decided to give it more attention than it deserved. Instead of letting go like water under the bridge or water off a duck’s back, I hang on like it is a prized possession.

If there is one skill I would like to learn, it is to not let things bother me. I want to be able to take whatever comes my way, good or bad but especially the bad parts, give it a cursory glance, know it is there but to also know that whatever it is, it doesn’t deserve my undivided attention. It is alright and I can let it go without looking back. This is a skill I have yet to learn.

I must say I am getting better at it. I no longer spend days on end mulling over what went wrong, why the person did what they did, why someone’s hurtful words and deeds have the ability to hold me captive and WHY I should even care! These days I move quickly. I nip it in the bud, put it where it belongs, usually in never never land and move on to things of the positive nature.

Not always that easy but with focus and a clear mindset, things don’t bother me as much as they used to. Am I developing a thick skin? It is not so much a “thick skin” but a conscious effort to say that whatever comes my way doesn’t deserve the undivided emotional response I have been giving it.

It is still a learning process and one that I haven’t mastered yet. Perhaps, in time but I’m not holding my breath!

Daily writing prompt

What skill would you like to learn?

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What Could You Pay More Attention to?

I think it would be hands down my mind! It is creative and imaginative, good things, but it has a tendency to take me down roads I don’t want to go if I listen to it!

Some days it twiddles its thumbs and sits back and watches as I go about life my own way. On other days, it decides that it wants to be front and center and then it gets loud and stomps its feet! There is no ignoring it then.

It is a conscious decision everyday to keep it in its place. Sometimes it can be destructive but at other times, it abides and does as it is told but not always. That’s when I have to pay attention to it and soften the loud voice with soothing messages of my own. Not always easy but it is doable if I pay attention to the messages that my mind feeds me.

Meditation and deep breathing are my go to methods to keep it quiet, calm and in its place! So far it has been working but it might just turn the tables on me! I’ll deal with that when we get there.

Daily writing prompt

What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

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My #1 Priority Tomorrow

Hmm….there are many things that I hope will make my day a fantastic success tomorrow but if I have to pin down one thing, I would say it is to wake up with a good attitude.

Good attitude meaning one that is grateful for the brand new day and with a positive mindset to look at things with the glass-half-full mentality rather than the half empty scenario. I think that having a positive mindset sets the stage or rather the intention for the day in more ways than one.

My priority would be to wake up with a smile on my face, Chachi, the cat by my side AND the sun peeking out promising more of the same because I need that walk out in nature! I’ve been cooped up in the house for several days because of the rain but I’m hoping it shows up pretty soon and I can be out there again where I feel the most comfortable and my mind has free rein to do what it does best and that is to come up with creative ideas.

Fingers and toes crossed!

Daily writing prompt

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

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Fulfillment and Hard Work

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I think these two go together. At least it does with me. After all, they are partners in crime so to speak! Sometimes I stress about hard work but when it is all said and done, I feel a sense of pride and fulfillment at what I have accomplished.

It takes focus and single-mindedness and yes stress but it is a feeling of euphoria when what I have been working on be it an article, a post or even a book, it doesn’t matter, the end result of seeing a completed work is more than satisfying and definitely fulfilling.

“Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work.” Joseph Barbara

Daily writing prompt

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

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Principled

I don’t know if being principled is a good trait since it has caused unnecessary pain in times past because I refused to stray from what I thought was right and being rigid and principled sometimes means that you get the short end of the stick as well.

We live in a world where “principles” are not as important as they use to be. Bending the rules to suit your needs has become part and parcel of behavior in today’s society. However, I have held on steadfastly to my principles.

The good thing about being principled is that you are committed to integrity, honesty and you are responsible in your actions . There is a certain moral compass that enables you to come across as a trustworthy and reliable person. The bad thing? It can be a hindrance because people may view you as a person who has a stick so far up the you know what that there is no getting you to see their side of things. Been there, done that, and I continue to do that!

However, it is their opinion. I like being principled and there are certain things I will stand for and others absolutely not.

Spinster for life? Who knows only time will tell. I might be like that captain who went down with his ship bearing full responsibility for the vessel, only I will be holding onto my principles till the very end!

Daily writing prompt

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

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Three Jobs

If I had to do it all over again and money didn’t matter, the three jobs I would consider doing or pursuing would be NOTHING, NOTHING and NOTHING!

Why would I even bother if money was not a issue. I would spend my days meditating, looking for new places to walk in and living a life of leisure. Stress would be out the window and so would all the creeps who come calling!

It would be boring but who cares! Life would be on an even keel and sipping on lemonade or coffee and looking at the sky to see if it changes any time soon would be a wonderful preoccupation!

Nothing more to add to this question. Next one please……

Daily writing prompt

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

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Cultural Heritage?

I’m not too big into cultural heritage. I consider myself a global citizen and as such I embrace all cultures and have made it a point to learn all there is to learn about other cultures.

As you know I spent a lot of my time in Asia and it was there that I learned to embrace the food culture. It was amazing! Each country had a different cuisine and I loved almost all of them. However, learning about what Asian culture entailed took broader thinking. There were things I liked and there were things I didn’t. I loved the friendliness of the people but some customs took getting used to. Especially the ghost month. Everything was based on the spirit world and much was done to welcome them back to earth! I found this to be spooky.

Tennessee is different. It takes getting used to. They have a certain way of talking but not as bad as Kentucky! I love the food, the landscape and the people. I have a love for country music and since Nashville was not too faraway, I loved being there. Tennesseans are usually kind and friendly and throw in good home cooking and it is a culture you can easily embrace.

European cultural heritage is diverse and like any other culture, it is steeped in folklore, art, food, and people. There are certain customs that take getting used to. One is that they are conservatives and breaking into the community is hard to do. However, the cultural heritage is captivating and there is much to learn here as I am finding out.

What aspects of my cultural heritage am I most proud of or interested in? Like I said, I don’t belong to just one, I am a mish-mash of different parts. Parts that I learned about from having experienced different aspects of the world and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I think I did that pretty well without disclosing too much!

Daily writing prompt

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

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