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 |   Second blog -- answers to an ocean of prompts |
 "Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself." CHARLIE CHAPLIN  Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you. David Whyte        This is my supplementary blog in which I will post entries written for prompts. |
| Prompt: Falling and Getting up "When we fall on the ground it hurts us, but we also need to rely on the ground to get back up." Kathleen McDonald What are your thoughts on this quote? ------------ Since we're human we'll fall. It started with Adam and Eve, as the story goes. Falling and getting up are the inbred aspects of our human experience, metaphorically mirroring life's challenges and our resilience. The impact of any fall can be rough and it hurts. This makes us vulnerable and exposed to the harsh realities of life and its setbacks. Yet, the very ground that causes our fall is also the foundation upon which we can rise again. It's a dual role that the ground plays, symbolizing both the source of our stumble and the support for our recovery. Sometimes, we fall even though nothing we did, said, or even thought of has caused our lying splat on the ground. 'Why is that,' I ask myself. Then, I answer me back by thinking, "it is because the ground wants people to fall on it, so it can help them to get up." This doesn't say much for the character of the ground, does it? I mean, who'd want someone to suffer, so they can help them up and feel good about it? On the other hand, maybe, the ground wants to teach us a thing or two, so at the end of this life, we'll have something to show for our being in it, something that says, look what I've learned during my time on this planet earth! In the face of adversity, therefore, the ground becomes a teacher, imparting lessons on strength, fortitude, and the inevitability of setbacks. Each fall is a lesson, an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. The pain we feel upon hitting the ground serves as a reminder of our own vulnerability, pushing us to reflect on our actions and choices. Then, to get back up, we must use the very surface that witnessed our fall. Our success in getting up shows the human spirit's remarkable ability to endure and overcome challenges. Each time we rise, we are reborn with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, having gained valuable insights from our fall. In fact, this falling and getting up may be the intertwined threads in life that weave the story of our resilience and transformation. . |
| Prompt: The function of the artist or writer "The function of the artist is to make people like life better than before." Kurt Vonnegut What do you think the function of the writer is, if any? ------------ Sometimes I ask questions here to which I don't know the answers myself. This--the function of the writer--is one of them. I write because I like to do it as I have always been a fan of words and languages. I also studied lit and linguistics and did write some research stuff on those. Did I have a specific aim in doing those? I don't think so. I did do what felt good at the time. I still do what feels good to me. Generally speaking, however, writers--through their writing--can create an effect on the readers or they aim to do so, whether it is to inform, entertain, persuade, document, educate, inspire, or express creatively. This is because writing is a means of self-expression, and in some psychological therapies, the therapists advise people to keep a journal or a diary. Then, most of us, like me, write down things so we can remember them later. Yet, there are those writers who write to persuade people or change minds, and therefore, their writing becomes something like documentation. Anyway, for whatever reason something is written, any piece of writing automatically becomes a document that has recorded something which shows the context of a civilization. That is why we still treasure the cuneiform tablets and papyrus leaves that give us a glimpse of the earliest civilizations' writings. Coming back to the idea of the function of a writer, I don't think writers sit down to write a poem or a story, thinking, "This is my function." That very writing may only be their emotional response to something or they may just have a record-keeping mind that enabled them to write. Still, even when writing can be for persuasion or teaching or record keeping, it is an art form in itself and while doing it, I don't believe any one creative writer ever considers its "function." As Vonnegut said, however, what a writer writes can "make people like life better than before" or maybe, if lucky, what a writer writes can create some kind of an emotion in the reader. . |
| Prompt: “Snowfall rouses your inner child to dream and play once more.” — Angie Weiland-Crosby I've got snow on the brain... as does mother nature. Let this quote inspire you! --------- Neither my inner child nor my outer one have seen snowfall in the last couple of decades, but then, this is what I get for living in South FL. In memory, I shall never forget those flakes like white cotton puffs falling on my head and covering our then-yard like a quilt. It was as if the snow was saying to earth, "Hush, you nature's child; time to stay silent in your crib. It's my turn, now!" So here's something short. Snowfall in the silent realm of winter's hush dances of flakes start to rush from heaven's height, a gentle call a ballet of white, a snowfall each flake becomes a masterpiece, in fleeting joy, falls with ease and snow pirouettes in loving grace blankets the earth in an embrace . |
| Prompt: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall Let this quote inspire your writing today. --------- I don't know if what I do makes any difference to anyone, but I think it is a good idea to watch what I do, so what I do doesn't hurt someone else. Making a difference, the way I see it, is a collective effort; although mostly, only one individual gets applauded by it. Take MLK, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and the like, for example. These people wouldn't be in our memory and history if they didn't have others to work with them, for them, and follow them. Granted, it took, by such people, a major sense of responsibility and taking meaningful actions to contribute to positive change to leave a lasting legacy, from the start. Not one baby ever steps into the world with the conscious idea of "Okay, now, I'll make a difference," and then belts out his first scream. But then, babies do make a difference in the life of the household they belong. Hopefully it is joy, sometimes chaos, and mostly it is the mixture of joy and chaos. Unlike a newborn baby, if any one person wants to make a conscious difference, however, they have to have a passion for something and personal strengths to feed it. The question to ask oneself, if wanting to make a positive difference, could be, "What are the causes or issues that resonate with me on a deep level? What skills or talents do I possess to pull such a load?" Imagining that we are that person and we have a passion for something and possess some skills and talents, what will be needed next could be setting clear goals as having specific objectives to guide our efforts. Then, of course, comes educating ourselves on the subject, so we can make informed decisions with deepened understanding. Only after this comes taking any action such as taking the first step, volunteering, donating, and participating in the welfare of the community or the group. Modest though our actions may be, when started this way, they contribute to positive change. And, not only that! It will inspire others, too, and we will find friends, family, and colleagues joining in our cause. The greatest results for anything are obtained from collective efforts. Also, adapting to differences, being open to feedback, learning from experiences and being willing to adjust the approach would help create a lasting change. For reference, just read about MLK and how he readied himself to accomplish that huge difference. https://www.drmartinlutherkingjr.com By the way, I picked MLK because we celebrated the MLK day, only recently. . |
| Prompt: What TV commercials do you like? What ones drive you crazy or make you mad? Write about this in your Blog entry today. -------- I don't watch too much TV, anymore, except for just some local news while I eat my supper. I guess, TV ads can be annoying or entertaining. Usually, I don't pay much attention to them. The annoying ones could be presenting a particular jingle, catchphrase, or scenario, causing viewer irritation, and even this can lead to the negative perception of not only the ad but the brand. Sudden spike ups in volume during a commercial break could be really annoying, too. Yet, this is not only true for TV but also, especially true for YouTube ads. Plus, recently I heard that the ads on YouTube actually pay more to the content creator than YouTube. So why do it, to this extent, YouTube? Then, of course, the content in the ad about the product could be misleading, too. I guess, commercial ads could be creative through their unique storytelling, visually appealing elements, emotional angles, or innovative concepts, but usually repetition kills their creativity and turns off their audience. My son is so disgusted with YouTube, for example, that he started going to Rumble instead. Now that Rumble, too, is out of hand, he is trying other options. So far that I can tell, all ads--TV, YouTube, Microsoft, Rumble, and the like--have not come up with any winning formula. I hope they do fix their shortcomings very soon because they are annoying and discouraging the viewers, game players, watchers, and listeners of their programs. . |
| Prompt: Who is your favorite Disney character? ------------ I am not sure I should think of a Disney character at my age, but now I did, and then, recalled that decades ago, I used to like Winnie the Pooh... I mean, how can one really really like a made-up character, be it by an author like A. A. Milne? Well, I can really like anyone who is unassuming and soft-voiced, to begin with; human, animal, or a cartoon character. And that cartoon character is Winnie. He is so unassuming that some people may think of Winnie as being naive and slow-witted. That is not the case, however. Winnie the Pooh, approaches life with a sense of wonder and he is so relatable with his red shirt and his catchphrases "Oh, bother!" and "Think, think, think!" This relatability is because he shows human emotions such as fear, joy, sadness, and confusion. He may come out as being naive but there is always some wisdom in his naivete. This statement of his, "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart," makes me think about my cat, for example. Then, friendship and loyalty is very important to Winnie and he goes out of his way to help a friend in need. His positive outlook and facing problems with his power of resilience, his unconditional love for his friends, his joy in small things such as a pot of honey are infectious and I end up smiling at his gentle humor. After all, who wouldn't come to love such a gentle nature in any being, imagined or not! . |
| Prompt: Helpful People Which kinds of people are helpful and which kinds hold you back? What makes a person really helpful? And is a helpful person fun to be with? ------------ Really helpful people can become the glue to hold families, relationships, and, at times, communities together. Being helpful doesn't always mean giving unwanted advice, but lending an understanding ear, offering help, or offering one's own take on a situation in assistance. This approach can mean a lot to the person needing that help. As to a helpful person being fun to be with, I guess it depends on the person. People have different stances and likes where others are concerned; therefore, a person who is fun to be with depends on how any one person looks at life. I truly appreciate when a friend's helpfulness can take the form of mentorship and philanthropy or they may be just a pal holding my hand during a tough time. Such helpful people can support me anytime especially if they don't wish for anything in return. Help should never seek reciprocity or else, it only becomes a loan. Also, too much helpfulness can lead to dependency and can stifle personal initiative and growth. It only turns bad when that help may turn into a form of control instead of letting the person helped make her own decisions. For this reason, being truly helpful lies in its own balance, as in everything else. This is because it is not only the act of helping but considering its long-term effects on the person helped and the relationship. After all, as much as we treasure the help, we all favor our own personal growth and autonomy. . |
| Prompt: Advice What do you think of advice in general, wanted or unwanted? Is the advice of other people helpful to you? Is there someone in your life you can go to for advice? -------------- Wanted or even unwanted advice is an aspect of human communication. Whether I like the advice or not, I usually receive it with open arms especially when it involves sincerity, empathy, and a willingness to teach and contribute to my well-being. When it comes to receiving advice, it requires a certain level of openness and humility. And yes, the advice of most people have been helpful to me throughout my life. There used to be several people I'd go to for advice in my life, but unfortunately all have passed away. I guess this is what I get for outliving them. Still, I do willingly receive advice from professionals like my accountant, lawyers, and just this morning from a worker in the animal hospital, who reassured me that what I thought was wrong with my cat wasn't as bad and then she gave me an appointment with the vet for tomorrow. Otherwise, I'd worry my head off. On the other hand, not all advice is created equal. The quality of advice depends on the source, context, and the specific situation and filtering through of information for relevance and applicability. Effective advice-giving involves understanding the context, empathizing with the person seeking guidance, and tailoring the advice to suit their unique situation. It requires good communication skills, clarity, and a genuine desire to help. From where I sit, I consider advice to be a powerful tool for personal and collective well-being; therefore, I'm very thankful for all the knowledgeable advice given to me, through my lifetime. . |
| Prompt: “We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.” ― William James Use this quote to inspire your blog entry. ------------- As I have visited a few places in the world, I found that, despite the language and cultural barriers, it is possible to recognize and feel for others' joys, sorrows, and struggles. The main reason for this connection is empathy. This is so that empathy forms the basis for compassion and kindness, allowing individuals to connect on a deep emotional level. It leads to compassion and kindness, allowing us to connect on a deep emotional level. For example, I'll never forget the old lady who tried to help the clumsy me, on a cobblestone sidewalk in Rome, when I dropped some of the packages I was carrying. This was several decades ago. Added to my meager few Italian words, our body language such as gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact said a lot between us. Of course, being able to communicate also helps when talking the same language. Then, trying to talk others' languages creates bridges between people, too, enabling us to share our ideas, and strengthening our mutual understanding. Language can be verbal or even non-verbal. A look, a nod, a gesture can tell a lot, sometimes even better than any verbal conversation. In our day, technology has made it possible for us to connect much more than it was possible during the earlier decades and on a global scale. In times of adversity, this type of connection often helps to heal our wounds and celebrate our joys through mutual acts of support, kindness, and cooperation. Fact is, while differences undoubtedly exist, the shared aspects of who we are creates a sturdy base for meaningful connections. This is because we are all tied together through shared experiences like parenthood and family issues, emotions, our worries for our livelihood, the future of the planet, and in short, our humanity in common. . |
| Prompt: What did you do last weekend? Did it turn out better or worse than you had planned? ------------- Oh well, I guess I am happy with this question as it shows interest in my personal life. The question shines as a common social practice to inquire about my recent experiences or activities as a way to connect on a personal level. In fact, it helps in building rapport and maintaining a friendly and engaging conversation. Well, the problem is, I don't necessarily remember a dull weekend or any other dull time, and even a half-cooked exciting time; therefore, although it has been five days since, I have difficulty recalling it. So I asked my son, who came here to stay with me for a month or two, what we did last weekend. Ha ha! He had a hard time recalling it, too. Imagine that he is 26 years younger than me! Then, he came up with this: "Mom, remember that the guy who keeps calling you ten times a day to ask for donation for Veterans or Firefighters or something like that? He didn't call that Saturday and Sunday, and you said, 'What a relief!'" So, here's something from the mouth of a babe who is over 50 in years. Then, of course, I have the cat, Noche. As usual, I took care of her needs and meowed with her. Then, I'm sure, I read and wrote stuff as I do everyday and probably I sat on the bed fooling around with my Kindle Fire with a heating pad on my back, which has been telling me--my back not the Kindle Fire-- that it is not doing so well. Come to think of it, it is possible that I peeled some garlic heads and then stored their naked cloves in a glass jar. I mean, how can I do such a painstaking job on a weekday when a guy with a southern accent and a specific voice calls on the phone--repeatedly--to say "Hell-er," while he well knows that I'd put the phone down without any words, after in the past I asked him--again repeatedly--not to call? I can't do anything about this because AT&T doesn't give many options on landlines. Then, while writing this, I got another call from him just as I was thinking, "Oh, great! Weekend comes tomorrow." Yay for weekends! . |
| Prompt: Free Day. Write what you want. ------------------------- I think I am going to comment on the sentence that says, "Write what you want." If given to a seasoned writer, this advice could be empowering and liberating. As to professional writers, they usually like to meet the needs of their clients or audience; therefore, they might think the advice to be not so practical. I guess, I'll go with why seasoned writers would like to "write what they want." Writing what they want helps writers gain freedom of expression. It gives them the liberty of writing down their thoughts, ideas, and emotions, and in so doing, it allows them to be true to themselves and their own perspectives. By writing what they want, writers often produce more authentic and sincere work. This is because they are not bound by external constraints or expectations and they can freely explore their own interests and passions. In doing so, this approach encourages creativity and personal satisfaction. And who knows, once in a very rare while, even someone like me can come up with something original. ********************* Prompt: Have you ever received unexpected nice gifts in the mail? Write about this in your Blog entry today. ---------- The only unexpected gifts I love that come in the mail are books and stuff that have to do with writing and reading. Most other gifts I like are given to me in person and, rarely if ever, I've received an unexpected gift of any other kind in the mail. This may be partly because the senders of the gifts do not trust the mailing system and they let me know beforehand that they are sending something and they may even name that something. The nature of an unexpected and unannounced gift has to do with bringing joy and surprise through the mail, regardless of what that gift is. The fact that someone's thinking of me and took the time to send something my way is often more meaningful than the gift itself. Such gifts can become a variety of things, depending on their context, something like a book, a favorite snack, a sentimental item, or a piece of clothing with some meaning attached to it. Of course, I also receive many other materials in the mail, such as subscriptions, things, or gifts from companies who send promotional stuff that, in general, are unusable. None of these I see as gifts of any kind. Mostly, they don't qualify as surprises or are not usable or they don't have any meaning in my life. Am I hard to please? I don't think so. But the way I see it, a true surprise gift in the mail should have some emotion connected to it, without any ulterior motive. . |
| Prompt: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein What do you think about this quote and which things do you question? -------- Wisdom gained from the past, the enjoyment of the present, and the anticipation of the future...Now, what could be better than that! I have to ask, what about the do-ability of such a noble stance? I'd have to focus instead on the part of the quote that says not to stop questioning. Now, even I could live for that as I am all for the perpetual importance of curiosity and a questioning mindset. A questioning attitude helps to bring about intellectual growth, innovation, and progress. Questioning challenges the status quo, encourages critical thinking, and drives the pursuit of knowledge. By remaining curious, I can live in an ever-changing world with adaptability and, hopefully, resilience. The way I look at it, curiosity itself means a sense of optimism, as curiosity (i.e. my questioning) encourages me to approach the future with hope, providing motivation toward building a better future, while fixing and shaping today's mishaps in my life. After all, I have the use of a mind that questions everything. As for the past, whether I learn from it or not, it always comes to haunt. Good or bad! Fact is, although not totally doable, I'd rather not dwell on the negatives of the past because they bring my present and future down. Anyhow, past never honors my negation of it. It jumps up into my mind, with positive and negative areas of itself, when I least suspect or expect it. Such an underhanded trickster this past is! I, therefore, have come to the conclusion that, all in all, curiosity wins with all its questionings and its pushing me forward. And no, curiosity didn't kill the kitten, but the kitten's far-out daring to poke its nose into obvious danger did. . |
| Prompt: "Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge." William Shakespeare Mercy, nobility, or badges. Write about one or all of these or comment about the quote. ------------ Mercy, nobility, and badges! Three interesting concepts! I think they may interconnect in some ways. Mercy and nobility often go hand in hand in character-building, as a noble individual is expected to show compassion and forgiveness. On the contrary, badges are physical things, but as symbols of achievement, they could represent milestones in one's life that point to mercy and nobility inside that individual. If I were to take those three concepts one by one, I'd begin with mercy because I think in value, it far out-passes the other two. As such, mercy has to do with acts of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, and is often extended to someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. It's a virtue rooted in empathy and understanding. A merciful person reserves judgment and instead offers sympathy and tolerance. As an essential part of human morality, mercy promotes peace and encourages harmonious relationships among people. It is often seen as a divine attribute, playing an important role in most belief systems. On the other hand, nobility is a social class normally ranked below royalty, if I look at it in its lowest form. In a better sense, however, it refers to the quality of being noble in character, mind, birth, or personal qualities. A noble person shows high moral qualities such as courage, generosity, or honor as he puts others' needs before his own and acts with integrity and honesty. And last, badges are symbols that show accomplishment, skill, quality, or interest. they are basically motivational. They validate skills and motivate further achievements. They may be important to a person as they show recognition of one's achievements by other people or groups. And who, in this world, doesn't like recognition! . |
| A badge is a token of achievement that motivates us to do more, learn more, and achieve more. Badges are important because they can show determination, skills, and achievements. A badge has a crucial role in various aspects of our site and in any society and it carries a significant importance such as recognition of achievement and credibility and trust. Here are the New Goodies! Thank you very much, The StoryMistress  !Check this out, blogging friends: https://www.writing.com/main/books/entry_id/1061998-Introducing-Four-New-Consist... I got my first goodie this morning, Yay! ![Merit Badge in Visit WdC 7
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For visiting Writing.Com 7 days in a row.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/achievements-Visit_WdC_7.gif) And a bit later, a second one! Am I lucky or what! ![Merit Badge in Forum Posts 7
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For posting in a Message Forum 7 days in a row.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/achievements-Forum_Posts_7.gif) . |
| Prompt: "There's just something beautiful about walking in snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you're special." ` Carol Rifka Brunt Have you ever been the first footsteps in the snow after a storm? Do you remember if you felt special? Do you remember the fresh smell? ---------- Have I ever been the one with the first footsteps in the snow? Well, of course. Many times over. Years ago when we lived on Long Island, NY, we had a two-acre backyard, and when the snow covered it and everything else, I had to walk on it, if not for anything but to get the wood for the fireplace from the shed. I have to say, despite the cold, those experiences were once in a million; especially, when the full moon rose over the all-white landscape at night. Eerily beautiful, I should say! When I walked on that fresh snow, every step I took left a mark, a signature of my presence, with my footprints creating a narrative, a unique path that narrated my trek through the snow. This freshly blazed trail was a fleeting monument to my walking through that path, as it was inevitably erased by time, wind, and more falling snow. The sensation of fresh snow underfoot was always a textural delight. It could be powdery and light, or densely packed and crunchy, offering a satisfying resistance with each step. The chill of the snow seeping through my boots woke up my senses, reminding me of the winter's cold reality. I know if I had to do that very thing at this time, in my old age, I wouldn't dare do it. Where I live now there's no snow and therefore, less art. Walking on that fresh snow and breathing its clear, clean scent was like experiencing a living art piece – it was an ephemeral, dynamic, and interactive experience. It was a moment of peace and tranquility when I felt I was part of something bigger, something very beautiful as if it were a silent dialogue between me and the untouched beauty of that winter landscape. . |
| Prompt: Random words for inspiration on this first Friday in January: snow, wind, mountaintop, survival, pickles, colorful, seat, and a bikini. ----------- on the *mountaintop so high, *survival's *seat, cold and bold, *snow and *wind hugging the sky, nature's dare, as if a tale, told. fancy crystals in winter's embrace, *bikini dreams in frost's domain like frozen *pickles in icy grace... where's the warmth in heart's refrain? wind whispers secrets to the peaks, that chill in the air, a test of might, a snowflake dances and landing it seeks on this vision dressed in white. my wishes for spring lie in the frost my *colorful dreams, now empty quests, nature's lessons I easily lost, yet, this silenced day, I find my rest. . |
| Prompt: "The only thing then being talked about is not being talked about." Write about this in your Blog entry today. ============ Such a paradoxical statement! Any conversation or discourse has to have a primary subject. But here, the talk or its content refers to an iffy thing, in other words, something...i.e. what the talk is about... is not being explicitly mentioned or discussed. If what that certain talk could be about would be made clear, my answer would be clear, too. This makes me wonder if, when a topic about a person is sensitive, controversial, or uncomfortable, and the other people are dancing around the issues, why would anyone want to be talked about? In which case, wouldn't it be better not being talked about? On the other hand, if the word "talk" refers to being loved and considered and honored and all those nice things and then some, yes, any one would like to be talked about. Then, isn't it a fact that when people discuss censorship, taboo, or the limits of free speech, they are talking about the concept of not talking about something? See, such paradoxical statements could be interpreted in so many ways! . |
| Prompt: "Life isn't as serious as your mind makes it out to be." Write about this in your Blog entry today. ----------------- I really think living is a dance like the tango, but if life is my tangoing partner, it is the partner who doesn't dance well. Not that it doesn't know the steps but it does missteps on purpose to keep me on my toes, while I am already on my toes. So, why does life do that? It must be because it is the strict examiner of souls or the harsh beater on people. Just the kind of thing miners do to gold mines. To extract the gold from all the impurities, they beat their diggings up and exert all sorts of cruelty on them. What I wrote in the first paragraph above was my mind thinking about life, and there was some truth in what I said there, too. A lifetime, with all its twists and turns, often appears as a serious and challenging journey. I and others do navigate through that journey's complexities of relationships, work, and personal growth, and we face moments that seem weighty and important. On the other hand, in the grand scheme of things, life might not be as serious as most of us, or people like me, often perceive it to be. Let's imagine we are in space, watching the entire universe, if we could. Even our solar system is just a tiny speck in the vastness of the universe and our planet is a nothing. In the grandeur of the cosmos, our daily worries and problems will seem trivial, then. The grandeur of space and time can serve as a gentle reminder that our troubles are just fleeting moments in the infinite tapestry of existence. That is why I need to think I have to travel through life with a light heart. There is also another point, which has to do with life's unpredictability and fleeting moments, actions, and ideas. Change is the only constant, and circumstances can shift unexpectedly. How can I or anyone else depend on anything that constantly changes? Taking all these things into consideration, happiness means letting go of the burden of being too serious. This is where I rely on humor, as it plays an important role in showing me the less serious side of life. At times, humor and a good laugh can become the best remedy for the stress life throws my way. Finding joy in simple things, appreciating the beauty around me, and connecting with others in a genuine way also help. Embracing the idea of life being flippant--or that life isn't as serious as I often think--allows me to appreciate the present moment and reminds me of my sense of gratitude for being alive. In a nutshell, that gift of life is all each one of us have, until it lasts. . |
| Prompt: What makes you appreciate the passage of time? Tell us about an accomplishment, event, or realization in 2023 that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. ------------ Appreciate time? That man-made measure of counting the days and weeks and months and years? I guess some measure of time was needed at one point in the history of mankind because we would all keep our time in our own very special ways. For example, I usually keep time according to what happened in my life as in, "It was after the time I graduated...that..." or "The year we visited Paris..." or "Before the time when my older son or younger son was born..." Go and explain that to someone who doesn't know my life! My personal biases aside, appreciating the passage of time means leading a fulfilling and meaningful life, as time is a constant force that shapes our experiences, memories, and relationships. To appreciate time we first and foremost learn to live in the present moment without judgment. Did I say judgment? Look who's talking! Between us, I'm sick of my own judgments and do I live in the present moment? Nope, although I try very hard. Although I very well know that by immersing myself in the present, I can better appreciate the nuances of life, whether it's the beauty of nature, the warmth of a conversation, or the taste of a favorite meal. On my plus side, I try not to anticipate the future too much. Never mind the advice of the stoics that we should anticipate the worst, so whatever happens we won't fall apart. Also, not dwelling on the past is on their agenda, too. How can I not? I've lived so many decades. Should I throw all of those years and good and bad times out the window, too? I do agree with the reflection and gratitude advice; however, it is the product of religions and not the stoics. Please, don't think that I don't like the stoics. Seneca is my favorite, not to mention Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus and others. In 2023, re-reading them helped me stand on my own two feet greatly. Coming back to reflection and gratitude, whether through journaling or quiet contemplation, acknowledging the passage of time can lead to a deeper appreciation for the journey we've traveled and the lessons learned along the way. I don't do setting and achieving goals that many are so fond of. Well, let's say I used to do that and if I didn't live up my expectations, I ended up beating myself real badly. At the end, I learned to say 'maybe I'll work towards this and that' and that loose determination worked better for my needling psyche. Anyhow, I don't do goals anymore, except for the daily ones, which I write down on a piece of paper and put it on the fridge's door. Anyone who watches me secretly may think I'm hungry all the time for the many trips I do to the kitchen just to stare at the fridge's door. Well, anything that works! Whatever else that works for appreciating time--such as embracing change, connecting with loved ones, and cultivating hobbies and passions--I do all that to some degree because I need to prevent burnout and help myself with my overall well-being. I think what I do, in general, helps me in to appreciate time not as a mere measurement but a source of richness and meaning in my life. After all, all those years I've lived should mean something, at least to me, shouldn't it? . |
| Prompt: 2024 What do you expect from 2024? What or who will you turn to when you want to learn more or do more in the coming year? In what ways does 2024 excite or captivate you? ------------ Not much really! I can't expect anything from any year, except for no bad things happening. As for learning new things, I turn to myself. Factually speaking, if I don't make the effort, no one or no one thing can teach me what I need or want to know. As to getting excited about 2024, I just hope the world survives, one more year, the stupidity of its inhabitants. Predicting the future with certainty is challenging as it depends on various factors including technological advancements, geopolitical events, and societal changes. To tell the truth, I am hoping and possibly expecting continued progress in technology, science, and various industries. I would like to see innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and healthcare to continue shaping the world. I would also like to see much improved geopolitical situations, economic conditions, and public health, because as it is, there is too much strife between countries and people, too much poverty, and public health is on all the politicians' back burner. Yet, I think, what still works is WdC, and for that, I'm very thankful for the the owners, mods, and all the writers, artists, and readers on this site. See, despite all the negative opinion I have of the world as it is, I too can believe in the treasure at the end of a rainbow.  . |
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But good job quickly redirecting back to the positive things.
