Prompted writing

Birth of a New Challenge - July 2nd

#Trust30 Carries On!
from
Seth Godin:
Find something that happened on the day and date you were born. Write about it.

March 24, 1962

The day I was born was a big day in Seattle Washington history. It was the day of the first public ride on the monorail, and the opening of the space needle. Seattle was preparing for the world's fair in April. The fair was opened by John F. Kennedy who said "These accomplishments are a bridge which carry us confidently towards the 21st century."
 

I don't know what any of that has to do with me since I was born in New Jersey and was not consulted on the matter.

I do know that the launch of my life was an accomplishment that has bridged us not only into the 21st century, but well beyond through the children whose lives I touch.

Too bad J.F.K. didn't realize how important I'd be to the future of the country, or he would certainly have given a speech.

July 3rd

What would you be by Ryan Allis
If a year from now you weren’t in the profession you’re currently in, what would you be in your wildest dreams?

Dreams and Passions

Music isn't my 'profession' but I sing in two bands and I work with a non-profit that supports at-risk youth through music and expressive arts.  

Acting isn't my 'profession' but I do a bit of that with a local theater company. 

Writing isn't my 'profession' but I'm working on a play and a book and there's always the blogging.  

Those are some of my wild dreams, and nothing stops me from doing them.  

My profession is that of educator, and it is my greatest dream and wildest passion.  

In a year from now, if I weren't doing the job I now do, I wouldn't be at all surprised. I love to mix up age groups, settings, & titles, and explore new facets of my career.

But what would I BE, in my wildest dreams?  

I'd be me!  And I'd still be fulfilling all my wildest dreams. 

Anything less is a waste of passion.

July 4th

Energy by Julia E
“The world belongs to the energetic.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
It’s easy to blame our failure to meet our goals or to live our dream lives on a lack of energy, and we don’t always stop to think about the quality of energy in our lives. Yet we can choose to create and manage our own energy flow.
Think of an instance when you’ve been so involved in an activity that you’ve lost track of time, and then identity the passions and energies you were feeding. Who was there with you? What were you doing? What will you do to make time for moments like that one more often?

On Time

People tell me that I take on too much, that I overburden myself, that I can't possibly have the time to do all that I do.

The truth is that I choose to put my energy into focusing on the activity at hand, and not on the time it takes to complete it.  I'm not interested in how long I've worked on something - as long as I'm interested in the something.  

I lose track of time a lot.  

You can ask the lunch ladies who joke that my class is always behind schedule.  Or the school bus driver who waits at the end of the day for my class to exit the building.  Or the members of my band who have to insist that rehearsals end.  Or my husband who is wondering why I'm still writing at 3am.  Or the waitress where I have lunch meetings that last till the dinner shift takes over.  

But when you do, be sure to ask them why they don't object - I'm pretty sure it will be because they wish they had my energy.  

Passion, and focus on Here and Now, are powerful energizers. 

Time? Well, that's just a contrivance that helps those who are still looking for passion to distract themselves from an empty now. 

July 5th

Number 1 Passion by Eric Handler
What is your #1 passion in life? Now, imagine what would happen if you incorporated that passion into your life daily. Write down your passion and keep it close to you. Remind yourself of it daily, just like brushing your teeth.

Teaching is my passion

My passion is for supporting the drive for growth, exploration, and expression that every mind is born with. I encourage and nurture the spark of ideas, of wonder, of creativity, of courage and of confidence every day. 

I connect individuals with themselves, and I love that this is my daily life.

July 6th

Be You by Elizabeth Presson
In one sentence, who are you?

Who me?

I am the best me that I can imagine being right now, and I can't wait to see what I'll be next!

July 7th

Worthwhile Day by Jessica Dang
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.”
What is one thing you can do that would make today worthwhile? What’s stopping you from getting started right now?

Service and Gratitude

Today is worthwhile because it is.  

What I can do to best honor the gift of this day, is to connect. To be in relationship.  To reach out to others and remind them that they are meaningful to me.

What can I do to make myself worthwhile today?  I can build a bridge, open a door, invite a possibility, be of help and create something of value.  

Today I thanked a friend for sharing joy with me last night.  I consoled a friend in grief. I made another friend laugh.  I accepted another writing challenge and shared a memory and an appreciation.  I hugged my son.

The to-do list of a thousand chores, tasks, and responsibilities sometimes gets in the way of my remembering to reach out, to be significant, and to muse. As long as I recall which is most important, and know that the laundry can wait, I'm honoring the day I've been given.

So today I will be thankful and generous.

And when I let sleep in, I will know I have done what I could.

July 8th

Nothing to Lose by Tanner Christensen
“Self-censorship is not just self-betrayal and self-abandonment (which would be bad enough), but soul-betrayal and betrayal of our Muse, out inner voice, our highest self.”
Too often we censor ourselves, our actions, and our work in hope or fear of what might happen if we otherwise don’t. What words would you write today, and what actions would you take, if you had nothing to fear, nothing to lose?

No Betrayal

I have been told that I lack a self-censorship gene, and that my confidence makes others uncomfortable. 

My experience is that the more I share, the clearer it becomes that I have something worth saying. The more I trust myself, the more confident I am. And, the more I risk and follow my inner voice, the more I get to be the muse!  

Diminishing myself serves no one. Allowing others to stifle me serves no one. My detractors may have their say, but their comfort is not what drives me to action.

What I lose by censoring myself is not worth having.  

And so I claim my voice and refuse to be silenced by fear, and I believe that my highest self is manifested when my strength sings out.

July 11th (no idea why the gap)

Mirror, Mirror by Esther Poyer
“Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mirror, mirror on the wall… find the nearest mirror. Look. Keep looking for 3 minutes. Write about what you see.

Such a Face

Hair, kinky curled by humidity, cries out of a heritage the tone of  skin denies.

Rosy cheeks beside a sun freckled, wide and bulbous nose.

Creased lips, bracketed by deep furrows, sit above a slightly cleft chin - and it's sister chins and sinking jowls.

A raised dark mole just below one eye, where the start of aging creases have begun to show.

Two dark brown eyes dart and dance about, 

searching for things to describe, 

laughing though the mouth is still, 

amused by being seen, 

tickled by the prospect of watching the mind take on the task of writing such a face...

The beautiful truth is that this face has perfection in it's flaws, and after many years of seeing it for it's flaws, I can now see it for it's perfection.

The lie is the idea that anything I am or anything I am capable of, is revealed in how I look.  

July 12th

Legacy by Tim Belber
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
One definition of legacy is what someone feels, thinks and says when they hear your name. What are you doing today to build the legacy you want?

About Art

My legacy is in the eyes of the future. 

I cannot control what is felt, thought, or said about me. The best I can offer is to be true to myself and only create that which I would sign my name to with pride.  

The judgement of others is a distraction.
As Popeye said, "I yam what I yam." 

It isn't about me. It was never about ME.

July 13th

Deep in Your Soul by Michael McFadden
“I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
What message is yearning inside you? What is something you know deep in your soul? Don’t look for someone else to describe it. You do it. Write it down. Write it as a poem, a sentence or even just a string of words. Just make sure you get it to paper.

It is already perfect

Trust yourself, trust each other.   

Trust and be trustworthy. That's all it takes!

Shine your trust and honor and see perfection reflected back!

July 14th

Ordinary Things by Ana Guardia
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
To be an artist one has to find beauty in ordinary things. Find 10 things of great beauty in the landscape that surrounds you. For example, crumple sheets on your bed in the morning, the smell of coffee making its way around a busy office.

Ten Moments Today

I heard a woman speak of her son's courage. The glow on her face when someone acknowledged his bravery, and the flush of pride that reddened her cheeks as she shared in his praise was so sincere it that it over-shadowed the doubts and fears her fidgeting hands admitted.

I heard a mother call her son a miracle, and a gift, and the blessing of her life because having him was the one thing she had always known she was meant to do.

I heard a woman share how strong a bond she has with her step-daughter and how much she admires and respects the young woman her child is becoming.

I heard a father laugh with longing about how his little boy wanted to play hoola-hoop with him and didn't know where he was.

I heard a woman describe her family circle with heartfelt empathy for those who don't have the experience of belonging to a tribe the way she does.

I heard a teacher admit with embarrassment how little she understood for how long about the reality of prejudice that others experience who don't share the privilege of her fair skin.

I heard a lecture about the way the brain is formed and recognized truths about myself I can not yet put into words.

I heard myself describe my spouse and, in the description, how dearly I miss him after only one night apart.

I heard the silence of an empty hotel room and felt the peace, as the joy of solitude relaxed my mind and spirit.

I hear the tap of fingers on keys as the synchronousness and serendipity of a writing prompt, that aligns with the time to reflect on a beautiful day, unfolds.

July 15th

Original Thought by Michael Brajkovich
“The arts and inventions of each period are only its costume, and do not invigorate men.”
Think of the last time that you thought, said, or did something that was original. What inspired or invigorated this?

Comedy Tragedy

The table talk turned to sensitive subjects, and I made it into a joke.  

Humorous thoughts, combining shared experiences in juxtaposition to uncomfortable situations, is a coping mechanism of mine.  

Perhaps not the best use of creative energy, but good for a laugh and to change the topic before things get too real to handle.

What I realize as I re-read this prompt, is that comedy, as a tool to keep things from getting too personal, is inspired by fear.

Original thought that is inspired or invigorated by love, would, by definition, be closer to home and more risky.  

By remaining behind a mask of humor I am expending the gifts of creative thought on keeping distance.

I must remember to risk more and protect less if I want to be inspired by love, not fear.

July 18th
Change Your Thinking by Maryellen Smith
“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
At any given point in time, you’re only one thought away from changing your thinking. What thought can you change today?

Thought, Word and Deed.

Today, I will make the choice to believe I am deserving. 

I will change my mind and feel myself worthy. 

I will say thank you, simply and humbly.  

I will set aside fear and not make less of myself.  

I will do what I am capable of doing.

I will accept the acknowledgements that come.

No, I will expect acknowledgements to come.

Because I deserve them.

July 19th

Fire Up by Ben von Burg
“Books are the best of things, well used. What is the right use? What is the one end, which all means go to effect? They are for nothing but to inspire.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
As a writer, your only duty is to be original, to inspire, to put something new on paper. Don’t be reasonable – your job is to to fire up people’s imaginations, to give them permission to dream, and to lift their heads up to the incredible sight of the stars. They may forget what you wrote about – but they won’t forget how you made them feel.
It’s your turn now. Dream, be unreasonable and write what comes to you for 15 minutes.

Museless

open on my computer for two days.

i can not even approach it.

the "duty to be original, to inspire, to put something new on paper" 

paralyzed the muse.

a new prompt didn't come today to save me.
and another day is near.

no more waiting for inspiration.

for a flash of brilliance.

for the perfect response.

no fire.

no permission.

no starry night.

look elsewhere for a spark.
for today, I have none to share.