Well, my 30-day writing challenge isn’t going very well now is it. The questions are pretty hard, and getting progressively harder. I was sick last week. And an old high school friend and young mother passed away unexpectedly, which hit me pretty hard especially now that I am a mom. So I just wasn’t in the mood for any more deep thinking or pondering. I’m going to post the last few prompts here, in case you’re actually reading and it’s making you think. I’ll either choose to answer or skip them. Not sure if I am going to keep going or not, we’ll see how these next few below go.
Friday 6/10 Prompt:
Divine Idea by Fabian Kruse
Imitation is Suicide. Insist on yourself; never imitate. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Write down in which areas of your life you have to overcome these suicidal tendencies of imitation, and how you can transform them into a newborn you – one that doesn’t hide its uniqueness, but thrives on it. There is a “divine idea which each of us represents” – which is yours?
(Author: Fabian Kruse)
MY RESPONSE:
Area where I need to overcome: My language. Clean it up. Just because those around you curse, badly, doesn’t mean you need to do it to fit in or be cool.
What is my Divine Idea? Not feakin’ clue. Oh geesh, stop cursing!
Saturday, 6/11 Prompt:
Fear by Lachlan Cotter
These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Is fear holding you back from living your fullest life and being truly self expressed? Put yourself in the shoes of the you who’s already lived your dream and write out the answers to the following:
Is the insecurity you’re defending worth the dream you’ll never realize? or the love you’ll never venture? or the joy you’ll never feel?
Will the blunder matter in 10 years? Or 10 weeks? Or 10 days? Or 10 minutes?
Can you be happy being anything less than who you really are?
Now Do. The Thing. You Fear.
(Author: Lachlan Cotter)
MY RESPONSE: Goodness, you need to have actual dreams to be able to answers these questions.
Sunday 6/12 Prompt
Surprise by Ashley Ambirge
I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Think of a time when you didn’t think you were capable of doing something, but then surprised yourself. How will you surprise yourself this week?
(Author: Ashley Ambirge)
At my last job, I applied for a recieved a promotion that I wasn’t sure I could handle. While it was scary and I was insecure about it, I faked it until I made it. I have some opportunities for challenges at my job now, and I need to dig into them and really own them. I can do it!
Monday, 6/13 Prompt
Alternative Paths by Jonathan Fields
When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name; the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The world buzzes about goals and visions. Focus. Create a vivid picture of exactly where you want to go. Dream big, then don’t let anything or anyone stop you. The problem, as Daniel Gilbert wrote in Stumbling Upon Happiness, is that we’re horrible at forecasting how we’ll really feel 10 or 20 years from now – once we’ve gotten what we dreamed of. Often, we get there only to say, “That’s not what I thought it would be,” and ask, “What now?” Ambition is good. Blind ambition is not. It blocks out not only distraction, but the many opportunities that might take you off course but that may also lead you in a new direction. Consistent daily action is only a virtue when bundled with a willingness to remain open to the unknown. In this exercise, look at your current quest and ask, “What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?” They’re always there, but you’ve got to choose to see them.
(Author: Jonathan Fields)
I am politely declining this one. I am really sick of where do you see yourself in 10 years type of questions, which is too bad, because I have a review coming up at work . . .
Tuesday, 6/14 Prompt
One Thing by Colin Wright
Do your work, and I shall know you. Do your work, and you shall reinforce yourself. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Take a moment, step back from your concerns, and focus on one thing: You have one life to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted. Sounds simple, but when you really focus on it, let it seep into your consciousness, you realize you only have about 100 years to get every single thing you’ve ever wanted to do. No second chances. This is your only shot. Suddenly, this means you should have started yesterday. No more waiting for permission or resources to start. Today is the day you make the rest of your life happen. Write down one thing you’ve always wanted to do and how you will achieve that goal. Don’t be afraid to be very specific in how you’ll achieve it: once you start achieving, your goals will get bigger and your capability to meet them will grow.
(Author: Colin Wright)
Ok, I’m quiting this until I see a question that really strikes me. These are all too similar, everyone wants to know my goals, and how I will achieve them. Give me a break already!
The True Story of What Was 