%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |   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: "Imagination makes us aware of limitless possibilities. How many of us haven't pondered the concept of infinity or imagined the possibility of time travel? In one of her poems, Emily Bronte likens imagination to a constant companion, but I prefer to think of it as a built-in entertainment system." Alexandra Adornetto What is imagination to you? Is it a companion, an entertainment system, or something else? ==== Granted, with old age, my imagination has taken a break and that's why I write and read less fiction and more non-fiction, nowadays. Not that, I don't enjoy reading a well-written story or poem, by the way. Having said that, I have to admit I miss my more imaginative youthful days and ways. This may be because, with age, reality has set in more strongly whereas imagination's powerful force usually transcends all boundaries. Also, this may be because I have little pep left to explore imagination's infinite possibilities where far-out ideas take shape and concepts come to life. Then, I still appreciate those concepts born from the depths of imagination, but mostly others' imaginations, to tell the truth. Those concepts can be the building blocks of medical, technological, and social innovations, and also, entertainment to serve as a foundation upon which movies, novels and stories, video games and many other forms of media can be constructed. As such, imagination creates futuristic technologies, magical realms, fantasy stories and creatures by allowing creators to go far beyond the confines of reality. Who can ever forget iconic fantasy people like Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Cinderella,or Sherlock holmes and worlds like the Middle-Earth and the Star Wars Galaxy! Such fun stuff can easily bridge the gap between the fictional world and my own reality to let me experience awe-inspiring adventures even while I am sitting in my chair, enjoying a cup of tea. Then, even though my role-playing has stayed within the confines of my childhood, I can still appreciate how imagination also invents those role-playing games and virtual realities that enhance people's otherwise dull everyday lives. For it is through imagination that thoughts transcend far beyond the world we live in to create worlds filled with wonder and innovations with endless potentials. . |
| Prompt: What is the most independent thing you have ever done? ---- Independence is a powerful concept that resonates deeply with many of us, but since I don't like to rank anything I have done in terms of 'most' or 'least', I couldn't in all honesty answer this question fully. Yet, I have done a lot of independent things. This may be because I was an only child and I was used to doing things alone and innovating stuff, not just going along. If anything, although I am said to be a mild-mannered person in real life, I am not a go-alonger with everything. For example, choosing my fields of study, hobbies, or even my husband I have done against others' urgings or wishes and I have never looked back. Things fell in place more or less, over time. One thing where I wasn't independent of others was raising my children. Even with that, though it was mostly with their father, I did it alone sometimes, or I took the advice of their father, pediatrician, and other professionals. This is because, while independence can be fulfilling and empowering, it's important to strike a balance between independence and interdependence. Independence should not be seen as isolation or a complete detachment from others but rather as an avenue for personal exploration and growth. Moreover, doing independent things means a sense of responsibility and self-reliance, especially when I rely on myself to achieve a goal. Then, I also have myself to blame if things go wrong. Truthfully, I'd rather not blame anyone for anything, for that would make me a bitter person. This is another positive that results from doing independent things, in addition to gaining a sense of responsibility and adaptation skills to new situations. . |
| Prompt: How was your 4th of July? ------- My 4th of July wasn't hectic...in the beginning. I did my everyday stuff and reading etc. It was very quiet mostly and I was quite happy with that. Unless if I can count the brownies and the cat incidents. With brownies, I was just about to take them out of the oven when someone called. So I turned off the oven and talked with her on the phone. Since she is very talkative and our conversation took some time, at the end I had forgotten about the brownies standing in the oven. When I remembered them several hours later, the brownies had become stone hard. Today, I'll try to revive them with the bain-marie steaming method. Crossing my fingers on this. As to the cat incident, my cat is the epitome of a scaredy cat. When there were no sounds of firecrackers throughout the day, I started thanking my lucky stars, but then at 8 PM, they started with full force, and the cat, trying to hide and/or escape, was meowing and running around the house, and unfortunately not being able to get away from all that din. So, I ran after her and after finally catching up with her, I picked her up and carried her to bed with me and held her until she calmed down. Luckily, the neighbors' noisy entertainment stopped around 10 PM, and both the cat and I were happy, worn out though we both were. Although as a reminder of sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence, fireworks with their booms, cracks, and loud squeaks may have a distressing impact on people's and pets' ears. I don't know what happened to the alternative celebrations such as laser light shows and silent fireworks that were supposedly put in the works. Personally, I have no problem with the fireworks being a powerful symbol of patriotism, celebration, and remembrance as a time-honored tradition, but I guess my cat doesn't care for any such tradition all that much. . |
| Prompt: Missings Sometimes we miss opportunities or trains or other things. Have you ever missed something like an opportunity or what someone meant when they said something to you? ====== Missings? There goes frustration, big time. Such disappointment at first, then regret kicks in with "should've, could've, and would've" at its heels. But it's life and some missings will happen. Imagine standing on a train platform, watching as the doors close and the train departs without you. Such an overwhelming sense of disappointment and helplessness right that minute inside you. But then, the consolation prize could be, this is not the only day in your life or the only train. In fact there's another one to take off in half an hour. Even if there isn't today, tomorrow the trains will start working again. Well, so much for the train metaphor. But my main regret about missing something has been not seeing the truth behind someone's words and yet, believing in someone else's lies. Although this was decades ago, I still ponder some "what-if" scenarios and if my life could have been different--for better or worse--if I had made a different choice instead of taking another leap of faith. Yet, missed opportunities are a natural part of life. No one can seize every opportunity that comes their way, and it's impossible to predict the outcome of each decision. Then, instead of fixating on the opportunities missed, it's more productive to focus on the lessons learned from those experiences. On the plus side, by focusing on personal growth, staying open to new possibilities, and embracing resilience, I think I turned missed opportunities into stepping stones toward an acceptable life, and despite whatever missings I had in my life, I am not sorry for my choices. By luck or by divine intervention, they seem to have worked for the better. . |
| Prompt: Routine "If you follow the classical pattern, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow -- you are not understanding yourself.” Bruce Lee Is there anything that you'd want to add to or subtract from your routine or your life in general? -------------- I used to dislike routine anything when I was much younger, but nowadays I'm finding that at least some routine gives my life a sense of structure and stability. For example, every morning after the usual bathroom process, I make my bed, water the plants, take care of the cat's needs, and then, get my breakfast. Thus, my mornings are well organized and before I am fully awake, I know what to do and that gives me a small sense of satisfaction of accomplishment.  One benefit of routines is that they eliminate having to make constant decisions about mundane tasks and thus they free up mental energy for more important things. By the same token, they provide a sense of predictability and comfort and they help reduce stress and anxiety. Then, they also let us to make incremental progress and ultimately achieve mastery in various areas of our lives. By repeating the certain actions or behaviors, we help reinforce our nervous system in making those actions easier over time. This can be particularly useful when we are pursuing long-term goals or developing new skills. While routines do add consistency to our lives and have several benefits, they can also become double-edged swords that can stifle progress and innovation and restrict personal growth, especially if they are too rigid or inflexible. When we rely too much on any one routine, we risk falling into a state of complacency and stifle the opportunities for personal and professional growth. Not to mention, the routines giving us that blah feeling of a sense of sameness and monotony. As progress often thrives in an environment of novelty and uncertainty, we may consider to break from the constraints of routine and open ourselves to new experiences, perspectives, and ideas. I believe, therefore, by reassessing and adjusting a routine, introducing small changes to it, and looking for new experiences may even out the negatives of it and encourage progress. This way, we may save a helpful routine from becoming a nuisance in our lives. As to adding and subtracting from my daily routine, I think I'll add a morning walk to it once the heat outside lessens. In the meantime, I may do some stretching exercises inside, just before breakfast. The rest of my day usually goes around whatever I need or choose to do, anyway. . |
| Do you have plans for the 4th of July? Or doing something special for with a four day weekend? ---------- I don't have any set plans for the 4th of July, and this or any other weekend. Four-day or regular, weekends have no real bearing on my present life, except for the relief from the landline calls for scamming, charity, or other blah blah. As an aside, Thank you AT&T for your inconsideration of your clients and for not giving me a way to not let those crap calls ring. I guess, then, for the reasons above, I'll stick to writing about freedom which has proven to have an immense importance in our human experience. Throughout history, the struggle for freedom has been a driving force behind revolutions, movements, and societal transformations. So, following this trend and then becoming its leader, our USA is founded on liberty and the ideas of freedom. And it is July 4th weekend this next week, although sometimes, I wonder if, as Americans, we are celebrating a freedom that is in danger of eroding, and I certainly hope escaping reality does not become our new national pastime. Still, at times, I rejoice when we do something really heroic for ourselves and for the world; therefore, as of the present moment, something worth celebrating this July Fourth is our freedom. What is freedom, then? Do we really understand what its meaning encompasses? To me, freedom represents the absence of undue restrictions on individual autonomy. But how much autonomy and can some restrictions be useful to us? You see, every idea has its own set of pros and cons. I have to believe that it is still doable, in a free society, for individuals to have the right to voice their opinions, practice their chosen religion and freedom of speech, assemble peacefully, and engage in activities that do not infringe upon the rights of others. The key phrase here is "do not infringe upon the rights of others." I just hope AT &T and such companies and scammers that like to trample upon the good citizens' privacy rights take this into consideration. As the original foundational stones and our most cherished documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights serve to prevent people, Americans or otherwise, from overstepping their bounds. As such, the tension between individual freedoms and collective well-being still are at odds when it comes to shaping discussions and policies in the United States, even if interpretation of "freedom" may vary among individuals and groups. I believe no one in his right American mind wants increased surveillance, erosion of privacy, or restrictions on certain civil liberties, despite the societal progress's conflicting challenges. Maybe this is all because the concept of freedom is a dynamic and evolving ideal for it requires constant reflection, dialogue, and a commitment to upholding the rights and liberties of all citizens in order to navigate the complexities of a changing world. Yet, I think, in comparison to the rest of the world, we're quite all right here in the USA; this is partly because I can carp about most stuff in my blog. The inconsistencies are usually due to the USA always having to solve a few conflicts within itself. Lucky for us, it has always pulled through. Truth is, to me, USA is my beloved, perpetual, and consistently-conflicted comeback kid, as a country. Happy July Fourth, America! . . |
| Prompt: Write about a recent surprise you have given to someone. what was their expression? how did you feel? ------ I am not too crazy about giving or getting surprises in general. Nice or not, a surprise may shock a person into a heart attack. I can't recall of any recent surprise that I've given or have received, possibly for that reason alone. On the other hand, especially for the young, nice surprises have a magical way of instantly changing the atmosphere and bringing joy to both the giver and the receiver. Whether it's a small gift, an unexpected gesture, or a big surprise, the expressions on the faces of surprised people capture a range of emotions, from disbelief and astonishment to sheer delight and gratitude as their faces often become a canvas of emotions. I recall, in my youth, my grandmother's long-lost younger brother suddenly showing up at the door. Shocked and surprised, my grandmother just fainted, and it could have been worse. What if she had had a heart attack! The rest turned out to be really nice, though. Once her brother explained why he had stayed away and was readily understood and accepted by everyone, he started coming to see us every year from the other end of the world, igniting a burst of happiness within all of us. Unlike my grandmother, however, not everyone faints and falls. When people are surprised in a nice way, in some instances, tears of happiness well up in their eyes, glistening like precious gems. In other instances, people may exhibit a composed surprise, maintaining an air of elegance even amidst their astonishment. Still others may turn spontaneously bubbly, unable to contain their excitement and bouncing with childlike happiness. Although every surprised expression is unique, it is in such moments that we witness the sheer vulnerability and beauty of human connection. And who knows, nice surprises may just have the incredible ability to create lasting memories and to forge really strong bonds between people. |
| Prompt: I simply fell in love with...... like you would a person. Write about this in your Blog entry today. =================================== I simply fell in love with Noche the day I saw her, but she wasn't mine at the time. That was 14 plus years ago. My son and his then-wife had adopted her when her mother, a feral cat, brought her to their door and literally and meowingly begged them to take her in, and they did. Go forward 12 years, and my son adopted another cat and a dog, which didn't sit well with Noche. I have difficulty believing the rotten things Noche did in their house after the other pets showed up. She was creating such a chaos in their lives that they decided to take her to a no-kill shelter. When my son told me of their decision, two and a half years ago, I felt very badly for Noche as I had always loved her very much. That's when my son decided to bring Noche to me on a trial basis. Trial? My foot! Noche is mine now. I am captivated by her and I love her. I've always loved her, her talkativeness, her jet-black velvety and smooth fur, her vibrant eyes, changing from green to yellow and vice-versa when they catch the light, her sleek body and graceful movements. But that is not all. she is also very affectionate and gentle with me, purring softly sitting on her seat next to my computer and at nights sharing my bed as she snuggles to me. Noche, however, is not a lap-cat. She doesn't sleep on my lap as my earlier cats had done. She likes to be next to me, sometimes putting her paws on me, especially when I'm feeling unwell. Then, her soothing presence brings a sense of calm and relaxation and makes me forget whatever is troubling me. She is agile, yes, but not mischievous. Maybe because of her age, she engages in interactive play only (I think) to please me for a very short time. At other times, her toys are left on their own. Despite the many superstitions surrounding black cats, Noche is loving, loyal, and a very talkative cat to whom I tell things and she meows back as if she understands every word, and just maybe, she does, too. In short, Noche is positive energy to me, an exceptional being, and with a unique personality. I am so glad she is sharing her life with me with her purrs and meows. Who knows, maybe I'll learn the meow language and I will be meowing all over my blog, very soon.  |
| Prompt: "The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." Robert Wyland ------ I feel very lucky to be living so close to the Atlantic Ocean. Standing before it, with its seemingly endless horizon stretching out as far as my eyes can see, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of awe and wonder. The ocean humbles me, reminding me of my tiny place in the universe and ignites my curiosity for its depths, literally and metaphorically. No wonder, the ocean has long been a muse for artists, writers, and creators of all kinds. Its vastness and ever-changing nature provide an infinite canvas for the imagination to roam free. The vibrant hues of its blues inspire painters to capture its beauty on a canvas. Haven't you ever stood in awe while looking at a beautifully done painting of the ocean? Then, writers, too, draw inspiration from its depths, weaving tales of adventure and mystery. Remember Captain Ahab? Photographers don't stay too far behind either as they seek to capture fleeting moments of beauty, frozen in time. All this is because the ocean with its coral reefs to majestic whales reminds of its biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all its living things. Also, its resilience in the face of adversity shows me how to be adaptable by instilling a deep appreciation for the delicate balance of nature. While I stand at the water's edge, gazing into the horizon, I am thus reminded of the boundless possibilities that lie before me and the transformative power of nature, and I breathe in its salty air and give my thanks to the Creator for giving my this experience, this life, this view of the ocean. . |
| Prompt: Scents and Smells Do you have a keen sense of smell? Can smells change your mood or maybe make you happier and healthier? --------- Actually, any maybe unfortunately, no. My sense for smell was never as strong as some people I know; however, I can detect smells and scents well enough for my own good. I am not sure smells trigger vivid memories for me either, as some people insist that they do, and even though I can be somewhat nostalgic every now and then, it is more likely due to visual cues triggering the nostalgia in me rather than aromas and scents. It is said that certain fragrances, like lavender, chamomile, and vanilla can help reduce stress, anxiety, and even promote better sleep, and scents like citrus, peppermint, and eucalyptus can uplift mood, increase alertness, and enhance focus. As much I like and appreciate all those scents, to the best of my knowledge, they don't have any effect on me, except for me recognizing them. Then, there is such a thing as aromatherapy used in treatments for mood disorders and mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. I doubt that such a treatment would do anything for me at all, at any time. All this hoopla about scents and aroma is because, according to those who study these things, scents can also have direct physiological effects on human bodies. For instance, certain smells can stimulate the production of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals and the aromatic compounds in scents can affect the autonomic nervous system, influencing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. I am not saying that these finding are false; only that I haven't experienced them. All I know is that certain plant pollens and dust, maybe some smells too, do trigger allergies and asthma in my body. Maybe it is because of that "asthma caused by allergies" diagnosis by my doctors that I am not experiencing and enjoying the scents as well as they deserve to be enjoyed. Then, if not for me but for everyone else, I hope all those nice scents and smells can create a healthy atmosphere as I am all for harmony and happiness for all people. . |
| Prompt: Words "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Ludwig Eittgenstein Do you have a way with words and are you sometimes frustrated with them? What are your thoughts on words? ------ To me, words mean "meaning" since only they have the clear capacity to convey meaning. Granted the five senses plus the sixth one have something to do with meaning, but only words can describe the intricate situations and emotions. Do I have a way with words? I wish! Sometimes, I have to think twice and then again to find the right word to express myself. Yet, I'm never frustrated with words but with myself at my own inability. I love words. If I didn't I wouldn't be writing. And come to think of it, I wouldn't even be speaking. Without words, our human experience would remain trapped as signals within the confines of our minds. Words are more than mere symbols on a page or utterances spoken in conversation. Moreover, the better our vocabulary is, the more deeply can our thoughts penetrate the issues. A well-crafted poem, a heartfelt speech, or a touching story can move us, inspire us, and instill a sense of empathy. Words can heal wounds, offer solace, and ignite passion. On the negative side, they can start wars, spread hate, misinformation, cyberbullying and discouragement. Still, their positive input into our lives is much stronger, as words can bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and shared understanding. They transfer knowledge through speech, books, and other media, enabling us to preserve history and document scientific discoveries to share insights from diverse fields of study. The impact of words on our emotional state and social interactions is enormous. They have the power to inform, inspire, and transform. In essence, they hold an immense importance in our lives. If they didn't, would we be so tickled pink when a baby says his first words? Just think about that! |
| Prompt: Please, use these words in your entry today: nudnik, nemesis, satiate, bower and embrace. Have fun!. ------- Once upon a time, in a far far away universe, on a distant planet existed a small village nestled amidst rolling green hills. In that village lived a peculiar nudnik named Owain. Owain, coming from a broken family and not having much of an education, had developed the uncanny ability of bothering other people who viewed Owain as their everlasting nemesis. One day, on a sunny afternoon, a traveling sage arrived in the village. The first thing he heard was the villagers' plight about Owain. As this sage had the wisdom and ability to find harmony in any chaotic situation, he decided to take on the challenge of satiating their frustrations. He found Owain at a playground sabotaging the games of children, there. Instead of scolding Owain, the sage invited him to a small garden with blooming flowers and swaying trees. In the middle of a bower in the garden, when Owain was about to trample the flowers, he noticed the sage's aura of tranquility and a feeling of wonder in himself he hadn't experienced ever before. "Owain, I have an offer for you," the sage said. "Instead of living with your own annoyance, why not become a source of joy and inspiration for others?" Such a radical idea! Owain's eyes widened in surprise. The sage continued. "I will teach you the art of storytelling. Since you already possess a knack for seeing the mundane aspects of life, you'll be able to transform them into captivating tales. This trick I learned in a place, far away, called, "Writing.com" and I can easily teach what I learned there to you." Writing.com? Owain hesitated and thought for a moment. Then he became swayed by the sage's aura. Not a bad idea! Whatever this Writing.com is! Despite his self-consciousness about writing and tales, he nodded and whispered, "Yes!" The sage embraced Owain with an encouraging smile and began to teach him the secrets of crafting enchanting narratives. It took days, weeks, months for Owain to absorb the teachings. Once he got good at it, he began to wander through the village, engaging with the villagers not as an irritating nudnik but as a captivating storyteller. His tales revolved around their shared experiences and struggles, infusing them with humor and wisdom. The villagers, although initially skeptical, found themselves captivated by his words, and their previous annoyances faded into admiration. Owain did not stop at storytelling only. His transformation had encouraged a newfound purpose within himself. Inspired by the sage, he started to listen to others' problems and offered support and guidance to them. Eventually, through his kind acts and uplifting stories, Owain became an important person in the village. The people sang and called his name in excitement. Their excitement was so strong that they pronounced his name as Owen. Maybe the villagers, too, had learned a lesson here about the potential in each person for growth and change. Maybe names grew and changed, too. And thus, the village existed happily ever after, due to Owen's stories and kindness, eternally etching his name Owain>Owen in the annals of their history and their hearts. . . |
| Prompt: What is one thing you do every summer and it wouldn't be summer if you didn't do this one thing? Write about this in your Blog entry today. ----- Eeeek! Summer where I live! Hot, hot, hot! In fact I couldn't stand it if not for the AC. Yes, air conditioning! When the temp outside hits 90's plus even goes into 100s and the temp inside tries to win the heat race with it, air conditioning comes to the rescue. I couldn't live where I live if it weren't for the AC. Thus the one thing about summer here, it wouldn't be summer if I didn't crank up the AC. To me, air conditioning is one of the greatest inventions of all time. That newest techy thing, AI, you eat your heart out! I could live without the AI but not without my beloved AC. AC in the house is like having my very own personal oasis in the middle of a sweltering desert. Let me give you an example. My mailbox is about 60 feet away from the house. On a hot summer day, when I walk down to pick up my mail, on my way back, I feel all sticky and sweaty. Then, as soon as the AC's cool air embraces me inside with a refreshing hug, I get instant relief and I think, "Well, maybe where I live is not so bad after all!" This is because air conditioning helps regulate the humidity levels, prevents dehydration, which drains my energy, and therefore, it helps with my productivity in everyday life. Plus, its sweetest perk comes at night when it lets me sleep soundly without tossing and turning in a Gehenna-like bedroom. Then, most importantly, there is my cat with her fur coat wrapped about her. AC ensures that she stays comfortable, lounges around in style, and doesn't have heat-related health issues. In short, AC is a blessing I am very grateful for, as it is a life-saver and is making me feel cooler, despite what happens outside of my home. . |
| Prompt: You can have the universe if I can have....... Write about what you would like to have in your Blog entry today. ------ No way am I stepping foot out into the universe! In the first place. Isn't earth bad enough? Eat your heart out, Captain Kirk and all the ETs! Yet, as much as I've been carping about the negatives on this planet, I have an ultimate distant dream, which I probably mentioned many times before. I wish people could coexist peacefully, without conflicts and war in our world, the earth. Just imagine a place where we could prioritize understanding and compassion over hatred and division. That would be pretty amazing, right? This planet, our earth, could be a place where borders are just lines on a map, where people from different cultures and backgrounds come together in harmony, embracing their differences and celebrating their similarities. When and if that happens, imagine all the wonderful things we could achieve if we didn't have to spend this much time and energy on conflicts. We could further our education, healthcare, and our other important needs, so we could improve the quality of life for everyone. There would be no worries or revenge-taking by anyone since we would instead foster dialogue, understanding, justice, and equality. I could probably come up with some ideas and urging for the world peace so every one can take action toward it, but this has been done by better people than me, many times over, and unfortunately, to no avail! So, at this point, I am going to keep on wishing for a reality that all of us human beings can enjoy, and I hope, at least, this wish for world peace can gain more than a few allies. . |
| Prompt: Someone who had difficulty ignoring another person's negativity asked me this question: “How do we learn to not see what we see, or not know what we know?” How would you answer her question? And how difficult or easy is it for you to ignore negativity? --------- Speaking for myself, I can tolerate and even ignore some negativity but there's a limit to everything. I may even try to help if the negative person has some good qualities and does not mean to hurt and scare others with nasty words and behavior. Negativity can blind people to reality and hurt their growth because it works as a powerful force that seeps into thoughts, perceptions, and overall outlook on life. It also clouds vision, distorts understanding, and stops them from seeing the truth. Overcoming all this requires a conscious effort on the negative person, but most negative people aren't even aware that they are being negative. For others around them, I can't think of any real workable solution for dealing with the negative ones if their negativity is extreme as what they need may be professional help, only. Some negative people, however, can be encouraged tenderly to see the positive by being made aware of their negative thought patterns. Possibly, gentle prodding and saying something like, "There you go, again! Nothing is that bad!" may work. Then, maybe,--when they delve into negative self-talk with words or thoughts such as, "Why is this always happening to me?" or "I must be so rotten to be in this position," etc.--,emphasizing their strengths, achievements, and potential may work to some degree. Chances are most negative people learned to be negative through their past experiences and by being criticized by people important to them in their earlier lives, such as parents and teachers. In other words, their earlier negative experiences may have led to their later negative behavior, with them subconsciously doing unto others what was done to them. Truth is, such people need positive reinforcement more than most of us, so they can nurture some self-compassion. This is because self-compassion and the understanding of one's own self leads the way to compassion, kindness, and understanding for others. Unfortunately for some negative people, their negativity makes them focus only on the flaws, shortcomings, negative aspects of situations, other human beings, and even themselves. This may lead to a general defeatist mindset and hidden or apparent self-doubt and fear. People around them, then, need to be careful when pointing out a problem or a mishap as something simple may be blown to epic proportions in the minds of negative people. Also, being gentle with them and encouraging the positive sides of their selves would help greatly. Who knows, maybe what the people who take things adversely all the time can use some praise, meaningful conversations, other perspectives, and most of all understanding. Then, if you are around a negative person and you cannot "learn to not see what they see, or not know what they know," maybe the negative person's antics are too much for you. Being around a negative person all the time may seriously hurt your own mental health and well-being. I would say, for self-respect and self-preservation, to just remove yourself from the company of such a nasty, pessimistic person rather than allowing them to define and hurt you in unseen ways, when you are only trying to help. . |
| Prompt: Colors In his Nobel-Prize-winning novel, My Name Is Red, author Orhan Pamuk says:"Color is the touch of the eye, music to the deaf, a word out of the darkness... Delicacy manifests itself neither in weakness nor in subtlety, but through determination of will." What does color mean to you and how do colors affect the way you feel? ========= All colors talk to me in some way and my favorites among them change and morph according to the mood I'm in. This is because colors have a language of their own, evoking memories, conveying emotions and painting the world in their bright and pale hues. Their meanings, at times, transcend what my eyes can see. A color speaks to me at the absence of sound or words. They stir my heart when a favorite color becomes music, with images and memories dancing before my eyes. When I gaze upon a breathtaking sunset, the golden strokes blending into fiery reds and soft purples remind me of letting go of another day in my life. A spectrum of colors may evoke joy, sorrow, tranquility or excitement within my soul. Color breathes life into my life and into the void when it paints my dreams at night and my wishes and imagination during the day. A few decades ago, I learned more about the effects of colors when I tried my hand in painting. Then, I discovered their soothing touch, vitality, and illumination. I also discovered that nothing is more bland than an unpainted canvas. In short, colors are more than pigments and light. They are intangible forces that stir my imagination, wake up my senses, and expand the boundaries of my perception. . |
| Prompt: If you're getting together with friends, do you prefer one on one situations, group situations large or small? How important do you feel it is to keep a social network? ---------- As human beings, inherently, we all are social creatures. Our quality of life and well-being depend on our relationships with others. This might be through physical interaction or online sites and friendships. In fact, I find I can relate better to some of my online friends than to some of the real-life ones. I guess that has to do with being like-minded. About getting together with friends, it depends on the group or the single friend. I really like both. With a single friend or a small group, depending on the other person or persons, I can learn about them and interact with them better, but a large group can be just as fun, too. As they say, the more the merrier. Almost any kind of friendship, for me, offers emotional support and companionship, be it in a group or one-on-one. I believe it is the perspective of another person or persons I am after, for a deeper understanding of life, for celebrating achievements, and for providing encouragement concerning everyday struggles and joys. These types of interactions contribute greatly to personal growth as they lead to gaining insights into different cultures, new interests, and new goals. Also, it is essential to strike a balance between online and offline interactions. Face to face meetings, for example, provide more nuanced communication, reading body language, and emotional bonding than the online interactions. Friends who provide a listening ear, advice, and a different perspective can be invaluable during difficult times. Yet, some of that can also be found in online friendships, too. To wrap it up, online or offline friendships, whichever or both, do enhance my quality of life, and I feel very lucky to have gotten to know all my friends everywhere. |
| What makes your family unique and different from others? What do you love about them the most? What frustrates you the most about them? ============= No two families are exactly alike due to the cultural backgrounds, values, traditions and individual personalities making them unique. The only sure thing I can say is, each person is an individual and we are quite different from one another. Even in my own core family, we have been individuals. In fact, my two sons are so different from one another that sometimes I jokingly question if their father and I were the parents who raised them. Still, we have been close to one another through thick and thin. My extended family, on the other hand, is a different story as its members are now living all over the world, which has added, in heaps and bounds, to our differences. Yet, while I was growing up, we were a tight-knit family. I loved my uncles and aunts and one of my cousins has been a life-long best friend. The thing that splits the togetherness of the members of my extended family now has more to do with the political anything and individual views of the world. As such, some of my cousins evade one another. This is unfortunate because the generation of people before me (RIP to all of them) prioritized loyalty, respect, and some family traditions. Maybe, it is the ways of the world nowadays that people cannot adapt to and appreciate their differences. Still, I suspect, deep down, should push come to shove, we would stick together. I might be dreaming, of course, but I'd like to believe that. . |
| Prompt: "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents." Bob Ross, Painter Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. ----------- Bob Ross may have been a believer in the power of happy accidents, but I can see how it may be easier to convert and adapt an accident on canvas such as the wrong color, an extra line, or a blob of paint into the overall composition. Yet, not every mistake in life will lead to a happy accident or a positive outcome. In fact, some mistakes can have serious consequences. Still, they can become opportunities for growth and exploration of new paths. What is needed is handling setbacks with resilience and optimism. On the positive side, mistakes can lead to feelings of humility and empathy for others who may be suffering from the outcome of the same or similar mistakes. This way, mistakes can strengthen connections and deepen relationships among people. Also, when I am aware of having made a mistake, I try not to repeat that mistake in some other form, but this is not always possible as circumstances and dealing with life's issues can shapeshift and fool me once more. Frankly speaking, I don't like myself much when I make a mistake, but through trial and error, I have at least learned to tolerate them with the hope that their potential to transform into "happy little accidents" will jump into positive action and, sooner or later, I'll end up feeling better about them. |
Prompt: It is so important to do something everyday that makes you happy." Bob Ross, The Painter Write about this in your Blog entry today. --------- Adding and mixing happiness boosting ideas and activities into my daily routine offer a lot of benefits, health-wise and in other ways. Plus, they also affect the way I feel and adjust to the world in general. I believe, above all, having a daily routine--even if I stray from it at times--organizes my thoughts and my life. The first thing I do in the morning after the getting dressed and ready for the day is to make my bed. I found out that this small activity sets me out to meet the day well, every single day. Then I take a short walk, water the plants, and get breakfast. Afterwards. I do what needs to be done as to taking care of the house and outside business. Putting things in order plus living in order makes my life more meaningful than when I would get up in the morning without having decided what to do. The rest of the day, I read, write, text friends, and do stuff on WdC and online. I also try to learn a new language or add vocabulary to the ones I have already studied. On an even more personal note, I have a 14 year-old black cat. I got her from my son who had her since she was a kitten. She's the joy of my life and, at this time, she's the first thing in the morning that binds me to the rest of the world. I also get in touch with either or both of my two sons and other members of my family like my cousins who have a great impact on the way I feel throughout the day. Yet, the most important thing I try to do everyday is to make someone else happy or at least try to ease what's difficult for a friend or any other person. To me, these kinds of activities help generate a sense of fulfillment within myself. In short, prioritizing personal happiness sets a positive tone to the rest of the day. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
