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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: 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. |
| Prompt: What if there were no wars, poverty, famine, global warning or any other ecological threats on earth but only peace? What would it be like and how would you like it? ------- As far-fetched as this idea is, in a world with no wars. poverty, famine, and ecological threats and disasters, humanity--that is us--would experience a profound transformation. Therefore, it may be a good idea to explore the possibilities. In such a utopian existence, especially without the devastating impact of wars, human societies would redirect their resources toward progress, development, and cooperation, with global collaboration flourishing. Instead of investing in wars and defense against the wars, governments would have more funds toward education, healthcare, infrastructure, and scientific research. Then, the peace and the feeling of well-being by all would lead to a culture of understanding, empathy, and diplomacy, and resources would be distributed more equally and toward the betterment of societies and the preservation of the planet. As people, we would also be more open-minded, embracing diversity, different traditions, languages, and customs. This would lead to more open borders and global unity. Yet, the best would be for the children of the world who would grow up in an environment where violence is not a norm. This would reduce the trauma and fear they feel and they would be have more emotional intelligence, empathy, and a tendency to conflict resolution, should any conflict arise. This is because education plays a vital role in cultivating these values from a young age and fostering a generation of peace-conscious individuals. In the past, the United Nations and the European Union have tried to prevent conflicts and wars with some success, but they weren't 100% able to instill and keep that ideal peace. Should such unions involve every society in the world, they might have been much more successful. The way I look at it, a world without wars is not an unattainable dream. It is something we should pursue for its potential benefits with the shared aim of progress uniting us all. . |
| Prompt: Shapeshifting If you had the power to shift into whatever creature you want --earthly or otherwise-- who or what would be your choice? ---------- The longing to experience the world in a different form sounds interesting to an oldie like me, since I've had it with the way we humans treat one another. I guess I could transform into a majestic bird. soaring high above the clouds, stretching my winds wide as they would carry me through the open skies. Heaven forbid that I come face to face with a drone, or an airplane, or a UFO. Come to think of it, a UFO would be the most interesting as that might give me the chance to explore the vast expanse of the universe, unburdened by the weight of my old age. If not a bird, then, maybe I'd be a graceful deer, agile and swift, roaming through the sun-dappled, thickly forested earth. The sights and scents of the natural world would come alive with the soft touch of grass beneath my hooves. Then, there's the possibility of the sea, with me turning into a wise, old dolphin, exploring the depths of the oceans and ancient mysteries on the sea floor beneath the waves. I would probably communicate with other sea creatures through clicks and whistles, wondering where I could catch a glimpse of a mermaid. Yet, all these possibilities--in air, water, or land--, remind me of my own human form, which has carried me through years of life and I am grateful for the lessons learned and the beauties experienced. Also, maybe unfortunately, that wisdom and grace they claim the elderly can hold has evaded me, despite my wrinkles and gray hair, but then, I try not to be an old hag flaunting any so-called wisdom, which supposedly arrived (or not) with age.   |
| Prompt: There was an announcement in the news about finding unidentified aerial phenomena and that information has been concealed by different governments around the world. Do you think there is truth in the announcement or do you think it's another media grand storm. How would you feel if aliens had indeed visited us? Ever wonder what kind of first impression we would make? ---------- I dare to think that we might already be getting visitations from aliens of some sort, but seeing what we are like, they probably run away at full speed, without looking back. And this is regardless of the media hype because I've stopped relying on the media decades ago. As for the scientific community, they require, generally, rigorous evidence and reproducible observations to establish the validity of extraordinary claims. Then, what about that "true" evidence and observations? On what criteria are they going to base that? Our understanding of science or what we can notice with our faulty five senses? What if there is so much more to our sciences and to our human attributes? What kinds of concrete, provable evidences can those ignoramus scientists get? In fact, the whole thing is totally speculative. About those people who said they were abducted into space ships and those who claim to have seen the UFO's, I am not disregarding their stories as made-up. On the other hand, who can prove that these people are 100% healthy and sane? In fact, who can ever claim that any one of us is !00% sane? So many things affect our mental, social, and intellectual well-being, not only as persons but as crowds and nations. Only if we could stop and look at ourselves with a critical eye and live decent lives as human beings without attacking one another in hordes, maybe at that time, we'd really know if we are being visited by the aliens. Then, probably, those aliens would make themselves visible and available to us. . |
| “Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.” ― Zig Ziglar, Let this quote inspire your entry today. Maybe even share if you have some motivation hints. ----------- Motivation is a deeply personal and internal force, and yes, it is not permanent. Thank God for that! If it were to be permanent, we'd all die of heart attacks in our early ages. This is because with motivation, comes hard work and facing tough challenges depending on the subject or idea one is motivated about. Yet, individuals--especially we writers--can take steps to nurture our own motivation by concentrating on our values, goals, and breaking them into manageable steps, so we can, at the end, celebrate our progress or the finished manuscript. Surely external factors play a role in the do-ability of a project, but if we can tap into our internal desires, we can easily find the drive for it. This brings to mind the question if motivation can be forced. I think not, but it can be encouraged by internal and external factors. In an educational or professional setting, teachers, managers, and leaders can cultivate an atmosphere of encouragement, provide clarity of goals and expectations, recognize achievements by offering praise, prizes, and constructive feedback. Also, we ourselves can find motivation and inspirations from our role models, from engaging in activities that are fun for us, from cultivating a mindset that values challenges, and from setbacks we may deem as learning and improvement opportunities. Then, at the end when we find a sense of purpose and satisfaction in our work, we may surprise ourselves by having an even stronger motivation. I have to add that it is difficult to find motivation for anything if one is not quite healthy or is going through a trauma or a grief period. In that case, finding the smallest of goals to achieve and trying to enjoy what little fun we can find around us would help. I certainly wish none of us has to face such a dilemma ever, and if we do, I hope we can find in ourselves the strength and the drive to seek for motivation to help us feel better again. . |
| Prompt: "A lake is a landscapes most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye: Looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." Henry David Thoreau Write about this in your Blog entry today. --------------- Where I live in Florida lakes abound. Unfortunately, most of these lakes are slightly larger than ponds and are man-made, especially by developers who took over the lush wildlands. Yet, these lakes can't even come close to the beauty and grandeur of natural ones, ever! In the presence of a natural lake, one cannot help but be humbled by the grandeur of nature. Whenever I am in the presence of such a lake, I get a sense of wonder at its timeless beauty. Plus, a lake transforms with the changing seasons from lying under a blanket of snow to showing off the colors and images from the surrounding landscape. One such lake is Lake Como in Italy as it is a wonder of nature and the art and the craftsmanship of humans who live, play, and do commerce around it. Commerce is the key word here, Lake Como is a tourist haven and has become far too commercial despite its breathtaking natural beauty. Then, there is another lake that had impressed and inspired me during my college years for its natural magnificence. It is a much less known lake and it was not as commercial when I saw it. I'm talking about the large Lake Sapanca in northwest Turkey, located in a tectonic hole, surrounded by mountains in the south and smaller hills in the north. This lake supplies much-needed water for the area. Then, it is also known for the variety of fish that lived in it. I hope the fish still do live there, as the waters of the world did get dirtied by humans. At the time that I visited this lake, I was awed by its reflective quality. Its quiet waters mirrored the natural beauty around it, the mountains, the lake grass, the surrounding foliage, and whoever or whatever else happened to be there. The effect was ethereal. This lake and many others hold a strong attraction for those of us who seek connection with nature, inspiring introspection and a sense of wonder. They lie in their beds as if they are timeless and enchanting, unlike us humans who are here on earth for only a given, short time. . |
| Prompt: Sometimes older things embody, and in a sense, are witness to-a view of the world much different then our own. This refers to family heirlooms and what they mean to family members. Write about this in your Blog entry today. ========== We had a curio cabinet in our living room while I was growing up. Inside it, were items I had no attachment to whatsoever, but for my grandmother it was different. She lived through those things. Then of course, there were the old family photos in black and white, but mostly in sepia. Each time my grandmother looked at them, she wept. During the years I grew up among all these antiques and old stuff, I felt they were just things, out of their time and totally obsolete. Now that I am old, I can understand my grandmother's attachment to such old worn-out objects. I have never been one to get attached to things, old or new, but still, I do use the rolls and rolls of handmade lace my grandmother made with her own hands. Some photos, too, leave a feeling of sadness and longing for people I'll never see again here on earth. Truth is, I still don't care too much about the stuff inside my own curio cabinet. Neither do I care for the antique jewelry, my grandfather's stamp collection, the fake Stradivarius violin--circa 1936, which my grandfather brought to my mother from Vienna, or the other even older antiques that hide many stories in them, as each scratch mark or a logo carries its own specific narrative and charm, and I've heard it all from my grandmother. Still, heirlooms have bridged the gap between me and the people who are here no more, like my grandmother and other older family members, and thus, they've made memories live longer. They've also instilled in me a sense of belonging to a family, a clan, or a group and imparted in me an appreciation for my heritage. This is because all these items are symbols of endurance and resilience. They have stood the passage of time and countless changes of owners. In their existence, they tell me stories of the lives before me, stories of my family members and friends, most I have never met, as these objects hold a unique significance that now transcends time. . |
| Prompt: Personal Freedoms What does 'personal freedoms' mean to you? And in what ways do one person's freedoms have an impact on those of others? ----------------- Let me begin with an example. Although expressing an opinion on any subject is a personal freedom, insulting someone else while doing the opinionating is an attack and an affront on that other person. Granted, there's a fine line between what I need to say and what I can say without hurting anyone else. Thus, the idea behind the term "personal freedoms" is one of the most misunderstood concepts, a misunderstanding that is similar to the misunderstanding of political democracy in general, which may mean to some as: "Since we are in a democracy, I can do whatever vile thing I want." Personal freedoms, on the other hand, refer to the fundamental rights and liberties people possess that allows them to exercise autonomy, to make choices, and to express themselves freely. These are essential rights for the overall well-being and development of individuals, which in turn, have an effect for the progress and prosperity of societies. I'll now try to list these freedoms. 1. Individual Empowerment: People deserve to have the power to make choices as to their beliefs, relationships, career paths, and lifestyles. This way, they can feel to be in control and find fulfillment and happiness. This leads to personal growth and encourages them to be creative, innovative and better contributors to society. In my opinion, parents should keep these freedoms in mind when raising children instead of pushing them into accepting their or others' ways and beliefs. 2. Human Rights and Dignity: This is the idea of safety, security and equality, as it should protect people from arbirary actions by governments and other entities. 3. Political Participation: People should be able to feel free to participate in the political process--that is speech, assembly, and association--without negative interference from anyone, so democracy and the protection of civil liberties can function properly. On a personal note, I am wary of pushy politicians who attack, curse, and undermine opponents and their followers. I think twice if I ever consider voting for them. 4. Cultural Diversity and Expression: Cultural traditions, beliefs, and artistic expressions enrich the society with a variety of perspectives, ideas, and experiences and help lead to understanding and social unity. Then, on a personal note, I think a person is lowly and close to being a criminal when they push their own cultural ways and perspectives as being superior. Such people, therefore, feel they have the right to look down upon others and even act in brutal ways against them. 5. Economic Development: By creating an environment of economic freedom, societies can encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, job creation, and overall progress. This only one of the freedoms. Unfortunately, it is mostly misunderstood as being the most important one, especially on the socio-political arena. 6. Scientific and Technological Advancement: People should have the freedoms to explore, innovate and inquire. This encourages intellectual curiosity and advancement in all fields important to our lives. On the other hand, this shouldn't mean breaking confidentialities and endangering our personal, economical, and political well-being. 7. Personal Privacy: People's personal lives are sacrosanct. Any unwarranted intrusion into a person's private life should be taboo. Unfortunately, today's technologies are too much into our lives with their nosiness and intervention on their own economical behalf. I don't know how this can be remedied, but I believe we are all in danger of being irresponsibly treated When all is said and done, balancing these freedoms isn't easy and there are no absolute ways and means to ensure their perfect health. From this angle, what we call personal freedoms are on a shaky ground. Yet, their impacts on the overall well-being of humanity is evident and, generally speaking, still very positive. . |
| Prompt: Character Driven Movies What are the most memorable character-driven movies you have watched? --------------- During the last several years, I have rarely been to the movies, but I appreciate their effects on our culture. Then, because I have been a rather reluctant movie-goer during the 21st century, I'm going to write about the few good movies that impressed me by being character-driven during the 20th Century. Since I may forget to mention other important ones, do remind me, please! Well, we all know about Gone with the Wind, since it always gets thrown at us from just about everywhere. Based on Margaret Mitchell's novel, it is about a spirited woman during the US Civil War. This movie alone might just have had an effect on the women's movement later on. The Godfather movies, as I recall, shocked and scared me. Yet, they had richly developed, unique characters and thought-provoking themes. Best is, they made me see, how human thugs could be. The Shawshank Redemption is another movie that impressed, scared, and terrified me, since I had no idea what a penitentiary could be like. In that movie, I watched the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship. Other movies similar to it are One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Silence of the Lambs. The last three I mentioned are not, by all means, happy or fun, but I can't forget them because with all of them, I felt scared and disturbed to some degree, as they were all thought-provoking, emotionally powerful, and ultimately rewarding. There are a few other movies, too, that I would classify as character-driven, like Moonlight, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Casablanca. And I'm sure I've forgotten or bypassed several others that must have been unique experiences for me as they challenged me to see beyond the surfaces of people and conditions. In short, I have learned something or other about life as I went along my years during the time I have been here on earth and good movies did help my trek by inspiring me with their deeply human stories and multidimensional characters. |
| I don't ever write in this blog on Sundays, but last night I read something in a book that got my dander up. Someone who thinks she's the patrolwoman of the craft has written this: "If you still persist in writing, "Good food at it's best," you deserve to be struck by lightning, hacked up on the spot and buried in an unmarked grave." -- Lynne Truss the author of the 2003 book titled, Eats, Shoots, Leaves: Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. First, be it in jest, I don't like violence and any attacker-approach to anything. Second, it wasn't the above book, Eats, Shoots, Leaves I was reading, but a different one that borrowed the quote. I'm never going to buy a book written by a nasty vigilante, anyway. Coming to the reason why I am writing this entry is because I am a linguist and I know that a language changes as do its rules. The author of the above quote may believe she is preserving the nuances of the language but a language always renews itself. The nuances codify an ideal but not the reality. Truth is, all languages change, some faster than others. They evolve as if they are living beings. Especially English is an ever growing, revolving, and styling and re-styling language. What is true today may not be the norm tomorrow. What is presented at any time as rules are, in fact, the preferences of the existing moment and time. I grew up in a time where high-school English teachers impressed on students these rules rather strictly: Don't split the infinitive. Don't end a sentence with a preposition. Don't start a sentence with however, and, but etc. As writers, aren't we already disregarding these rules? The way I see it, good writing depends, first and mainly, on content and then, partly on grammar and punctuation. Yes, as writers we need to watch out for the rules so what we write comes out as fluent and understandable. Yet, am I saying mixing up "its" and "it's" is okay? Not by any means. We owe it to ourselves to know the difference and to try to make our work as clean and presentable as possible. What I am saying is that the writers in WdC should never be discouraged by any vigilantes. In the reviews on this site, when the reviewers correct the grammar and punctuation, the writers need to give those corrections their due attention. I, too, correct a slip or two if I catch them when I review, and I am grateful when other writers catch my booboos. What I am against is the way any correction is presented. Unkind words in corrections hurt the writers and discourage them from developing their craft. So, please, friends, do write on with your first goal as being the content of your work. Then, correct or edit later according to the rules that are in use now, in our time. |
| Prompt: The blast of the alarm jolted me from my sleep. .I rubbed my eyes, trying to decipher what type of an emergency it was this time.... Have fun --------------------- The blast of the alarm jolted me from my sleep. I rubbed my eyes, trying to decipher what type of emergency it was this time, at this late hour. Although I was still disoriented and bleary-eyed, I felt this wasn't a common occurrence. Quickly, I arose from my bed and stumbled to the window. Our usually quiet street was now filled with panicked voices and hurrying people. Still groggy, I thought of the worst scenario. Was it an earthquake, a terrorist attack, or something even worse? I threw on some clothes and left the house, then joined the frantic crowd while trying to find out what the trouble was. Each person told a different story, but with one thing in common: the impending catastrophe of a burning apartment building. Sure enough, two streets down, I smelled smoke and later saw the wild flames engulfing a building. On the location of the scene, the police struggled to maintain order as emergency vehicles sped past, their sirens blaring and flashing lights casting eerie glows on us. When the fire worsened, the magnitude of the situation became clearer with firefighters battling the flames with their hoses by shooting torrents of water at them. Suddenly, a piercing cry made me look up at the figure clinging to a ledge on one of the upper floors. I saw a firefighter go up on a truck's ladder toward the victim. When on top, he grasped the outstretched arm of the trapped person and held on to him, and inch by inch, they moved down the ladder together while I held my breath. When they reached the ground, a cacoophony of cheers arose from the crowd. Eventually, the flames were put out and the fire died down, thanks to the tireless efforts of the firefighters. This incident made me realize how important firefighters are to our society and how little and rarely we think of them during our busy everyday lives. At that time, down below, we had watched this one brave firefighter save a life, for as a crowd together with the firefighters and the police, we had become more than strangers connected by circumstance. We had become one united symbol of humanity. |
| Prompt: Write a story using visual language. Add as many of these phrases as you can to work your brain in a new way. burned like acid rain, mewling cats, tart taste making him pucker, clucked his tongue, adrenaline surged, a hissing rush, heat sizzled, staggered woodenly, sparkling wit or stuttered incoherently See if you can tie BC0F's prompt together with this for a merit badge. BCoF prompt: There's a figure standing in a darkened doorway...and... It's your blog. Have fun --------------------------------- There's a figure standing in a darkened doorway, its silhouette barely visible and the moonless night throws ominous shadows, while the rain has stuttered incoherently ever since it started falling on the street. This eerie darkness has burned like acid rain the eyes of another man, Jason. His heart pounding against his chest, Jason presses himself against the damp brick wall. He feels he has come upon something he shouldn't have, something beyond his comprehension. That something is that figure, which has staggered woodenly and locked its gaze onto him, as if a predator. The cries of mewling cats echoing from nearby and with adrenaline surged through his veins, Jason's throat tightens and the bile with a tart taste making him pucker surges up. He knows he has clucked his tongue nervously without wanting to. When the figure steps forward, a hissing rush of breath escapes Jason's lips as he sees clearly the figure's face and its malevolent eyes devoid of humanity. This is a night of nightmares and Jason is in it facing this figure, but he summons a courage he didn't know he possessed and lets loose a sparkling wit. "What do you want?" The figure pauses, narrowing its gaze and possibly considering Jake's words. Then slowly, it raises a hand with long, bony fingers extending toward Jason. "YOU!" Right at that moment, however, a blinding light falls upon the earth, shattering the darkness as hooded figures emerge from the shadows and encircle the figure, chanting in a language Jason thinks as being ancient. The air now crackles with energy and the forces of light and dark battle in front of him, causing a chaos, to give him an opportunity to escape. This heat-sizzled wet night has intertwined a magic with the malevolent figure that has scared Jason. With a burst of energy, Jason turns and sprints down the rain-soaked street as his feet splashes through puddles. Jason escapes. Behind him, the battle rages on. Although still haunted by that night's images, Jason now knows of the resilience and courage within him, his courage to know the difference. The difference between fighting or running away from malevolence. . |
| Prompt: Do you judge a book by it's cover? ---------------- In a literal sense, no, I don't judge a book by its cover, and neither do I pay much attention to the blurbs. When I am not sure about a book, I run an internet query on its summary, so at least I know what the book is about. Yet, if you mean the idiom "Don't judge a book by its cover," it is just a metaphorical expression. Where would we be without metaphors, in this world, right? However, that is a short cut that means, in the metaphorical sense, making quick judgments and categorizing things based on limited information. As for me, I try not to judge anything and especially anyone solely based on their appearance, upbringing, and even education. Everyone may have unique qualities, talents, and experiences not directly visible to our eyes. Unfortunately, in our world, appearances are given undue importance, for as humans, we may all foster a superficial anything, our biases, and preconceived notions. This is inescapable. Unfortunately, we miss then the true beauty hiding behind a façade. . |
| Prompt: Have you ever seen a falling star? Did you make a wish? Write about this in your Blog entry today. ---------------------- Yes, I saw those a couple of times but then, I'm so earthbound that I hardly lift my head to look at the heavens. Definitely, those falling stars have captivated the imaginations and sparked desires to make wishes upon their celestial trails. Yet, they are not stars, at all, but tiny specks of dust or debris entering our atmosphere and burning up. If I am not mistaken they are called meteoroids. As to my making a wish, it didn't even come to me to make one, but then, most of my reactions are after the fact, highlighted with words and thoughts that usually start with, "I wish I had..." "I wish I did..." "I wish I was..." etc. If I had made a wish then, I would probably feel connected not only to the cosmos but also to the people and everything else around me. But no, usually I am so stunned that my reactions suffer. Still, whether I make a wish upon a falling star or not, I think of the universe as one of beauty and awe. . |
| Prompt: Your Country What do you think is most misunderstood thing about your home country by other people in the world: its culture, education, wealth, friendliness of people, or anything else you can think of? -------- I don't think there's any one thing that is the most misunderstood about the USA, but many things. I'll start with a personal story. Several years ago, I sent a photo of myself in my kitchen to a friend living in another country overseas. She wrote back, saying, "Your kitchen looks like any kitchen we have back here. I was imagining a much more modern one with electronic everything." Well, she was imagining all right. My kitchen has all the appliances and what I need; plus it's like any other kitchen in this country. Surely, some billionaire may have a kitchen like she imagined, but here, most of us aren't billionaires, and even a good number of the billionaires' kitchens probably wouldn't reach up to the heights of her imagination. Yet, this is only one example, but it illustrates the fact why the USA is a most misunderstood country due to its size, diversity, and influence. Granted it is complex and the lifestyles here extend from one end of the spectrum to the other with some living in drab conditions and a few others in utmost luxury. On the plus side, USA is a hub of innovation, scientific research, and space exploration. it has also been a key player in global dealings, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy. It is a given that such a country can be viewed by the world as an aggressive global power. Whether this power is able to exert any influence over the globe is up for discussion. Yes, USA is a capitalist country and individualistic, but it has a free market economy and --I hope-- a strong belief in personal freedoms. If this weren't true, despite our population of 30 million, would we have people from other countries at our borders trying to get in, one way or another, to become US citizens? Still, I think the USA's strength comes from its diverse population and culture. As Felix Mendelssohn said, "The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety." . |
| Prompt: Karma Do you believe in karma and what does karma mean to you? Does it have anything to do with morality and culture, or is it a result of being accursed? ============ Do I believe in karma? Well, just maybe, because more often than not, I have seen the guilty get what has been due to them. Then, at other times, nada! Sometimes, karma gets postponed, I guess. The idea behind karma has to do with the consequences of our actions as they hit us with our deeds coming back at us in one form or another. It may just be a cosmic balancing of some sort, the universe's keeping score and punishing the guilty. While karma is an ancient concept, and possibly a mystical force, we mention it--while we gossip and talk--with the hope that it takes some kind of a vengeance for us, since it is supposedly a reward system of cause and effect. And yes, karma may have something to do with some situations or cultures, and morality, too. According to the traditions in India, karma is not just about this lifetime. It stretches across several or all lifetimes for debts unpaid and rewards not reaped. Whether I believe in karma or not, it is a good idea to regard it as a gentle nudge from the universe, reminding us to mind of our actions and their effects to the world. Accordingly, our personal actions of kindness, compassion, and empathy can only make the world a better place. . |
| Prompt: When the elevator opened.... have fun! ============= When the elevator opened its doors with a soft ding, revealing a darkened interior, the office worker Gina stepped forward, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the hallway as she entered the elevator. She was feeling sad today as she mused over her existence. There was nothing colorful and exciting in her mundane everyday life. She pressed a button and leaned against the wall, grateful for the brief respite from the demands of her busy life. As the elevator began its ascent, Gina's tired eyes caught a glimmer of light just inside the closed elevator door. She reached out and took the delicate, intricately designed key lying on the floor. The key shone on her palm, as if it were a lamp itself. It seemed to radiate an energy that resonated deep within her, causing a sudden surge of excitement for a mysterious adventure, the likes of which she had only read about or imagined. As if guided by an invisible force, Gina's eyes caught the sight of a small, hidden keyhole nestled discreetly beside the elevator buttons. Without thinking, she inserted the key into a it. A compartment opened with an audible click, while a soft humming filled the air. The elevator's interior trembled as it itself transformed with a golden glow that emanated from the walls that were suddenly adorned with ornate patterns. Then, the doors opened once again, and Gina gasped. Gone was the elevator and her familiar office building; instead, she found herself standing on a lush, green meadow with the air perfumed by the scent of wildflowers. Gina took several steps on the meadow, hoping to leave behind the worries of her ordinary life. As she walked, she came across several mythical creatures: A unicorn grazing peacefully, a wise owl wearing eyeglasses as it perched on a branch, and beautiful fairies and mischievous imps playing and flitting between the flowers. She joined them, as she skipped and danced with the butterflies and sang with the birds. Inside the enchantment of this hidden world, time seemed to stand still. If only for a while... until she found herself again in the dull, drab elevator. Yet, when its doors opened unto her floor, she emerged, her heart brimming with a newfound appreciation for the wonders she had just experienced. Though her office building with its seemingly ordinary façade and her cluttered desk on the fourth floor were as they always had been, she now had the memories of an extraordinary journey that showed her the beauty and adventure even within the most mundane of places or days. |
| Flowers Prompt: There are a lot of unofficial Holidays in May. Water a Flower Day. Write about flowers for your Blog entry today. ---------- "Water a flower Day" How interesting! Let alone flowers, I might even forget to water my house plants. Although, so far so good, I haven't forgotten them and neither did I forget to water the plants in a corner of the porch. Sometimes, I get too busy to remember the few roses outside, which I put in, not realizing that they belong to a different climate and that they need watering more than once a day around where I live Flowers, especially roses, come in so many different colors, shapes, and sizes, and they always bring a smile to my face. Then, looking at a field of wildflowers or a beautiful bouquet sitting in a vase, something about them, makes life a little brighter. Flowers are perfect for almost any occasion: birthdays, mother's day, weddings, holidays and even funerals. They make excellent decorations, but unfortunately they don't last forever. But then, no good thing ever does.  Brevity Prompt from The Art of Brevity by Grant Faulkner One of the most erotic moments of my youth was when a boy's knee touched mine. Brevity is about the tiniest of moments, the fleeting. That is when life opens with either hope or expectation. Consider this was the moment sensuous or something changed in that moment. Now, think about it as the author who isn't dominating or ruling the story but actually feeling it come to life on the page. Use this as your inspiration today. Have fun! ----------- The funny thing is, this prompt is longer than what just came to my mind when I first read it. I am guessing this is all about interpersonal effectiveness and connection rather than words. Assuming that the owner of the quote was a teen, he is in the learning stage of recognizing short, non-verbal clues. In this case, it might also be that there was no message in the touch and it was pure accident, but it opened the receiver's eyes to a possibility inside himself, making him aware of his own potential. Sometimes, non-verbal messages add to our words. At other times, they do nothing but distract. Since this quote has all the hints of something sexual, it is bound to attract notice. On the other hand, I found it to be honest, down-to-earth, and not intentionally deceptive. It is just what it is. Something non-verbal with brevity. Whether it is communication or not is left to the reader's understanding. Although people may send non-verbal messages deliberately or accidentally, their meaning depends on how they are interpreted by the receiver. Then, an action such as this one, a facial expression, a bodily movement, voice, tone, or touch, may effect the ability to use and interpret nonverbal behavior and cues in interpersonal give-and-take. And yes, I guess this could be the opening of a story about a teen, but as an aged writer, I have no intention of writing stories from the viewpoint of a teen for those years I have left far behind, and I have no intention of reliving them.  |
| Prompt: pathological liars Have you ever met a pathological liar? How do you think a pathological liar talks and could they have any good friendships that last? ----------------------- I don't know why any person habitually lies or exaggerates the truth, and with no reason. Unless they are writers and they are trying to come up with a good story. Yet, I have met such a person. At the time, my thinking was that this person found reality too bland to swallow and she had to fancy it up, but the psycho-data tells me otherwise. This behavior is often associated with personality disorders: mostly narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder. I didn't look these disorders up just because they'd be over my head and would be too difficult to write about in a blog entry. Such people hide their achievements, experiences, and even their identity and/or embellish them. They may also create elaborate stories about themselves or others to gain attention or sympathy from their listeners. After you've caught a dent or two in their many different accounts of events, you know you can't believe anything these people say, ever! Such made-up stories lead to broken relationships, loss of friends, and even legal trouble. One person like that told me her husband threw her down from the roof of their three-story house and she came out unscathed. This person used to do house-cleaning for me. Now, I wonder what stories she would make (or did make) about me. Luckily, she quit before I could fire her. Possibly, this kind of behavior has underlying psychological or neurological causes. I think such people who can't help themselves not to lie should seek the help of a professional, seriously! . |
| Prompt: Laundry: What do you think about doing laundry in general? Did you have any unusual experiences with it? And what do you think the idiom "airing one's dirty laundry" came from? --------- I really don't think much about laundry. It has to be done and I just do it. Of the various methods of doing laundry, including hand-washing, machine-washing, and dry-cleaning, my favorite is the easiest: machine-washing. Anyone knows using a washing machine and laundry detergent and sorting the clothes so the colors don't mess up the whites and taking care of the delicate fabrics to avoid damaging them. After the machine washing, using the dryer is my favorite method, but I do remember the wet clothes hung on the ropes that stretched from poles or from trees, in the home that I grew up in. I never had any unusual experiences or mishaps with doing the laundry, but talking about drying laundry outdoors, my mother's maid did. When she was hanging the clothes on the line, a big black crow swept in and flew away with one of the items, an underwear to be exact. I don't know what that bird thought it would do with it, but that gave the whole family something to laugh about for a long time. As to "airing one's dirty laundry", it means telling scandalous or unflattering stories about yourself and revealing things from your private life. About its origins, an internet search gave me this information: "First used in English in 1867, this idiom derived from an old French proverb, Il fault laver son linge sale en famille, meaning “One should wash one's dirty laundry at home.” Napoleon used this proverb when he returned from his exile in Elba in 1815." . |
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