December 26: Writing Prompt #360-Moment of Clarity

Tell us about a time you’d been trying to solve a knotty problem — maybe it was an interpersonal problem, a life problem, a big ol’ problem — and you had a moment of clarity when the solution appeared to you, as though you were struck by lightening.

Unfortunately for me, I don’t think the solution to a problem has ever appeared to me as thought I was struck by lighting.  My moments of clarity usually come after many thoughtful days of mulling over the possible solutions to the problem and also a lot of prayers and conversations with close friends or family.  I do know that often the solutions do appear in unexpected ways over time as I let the problem lie, so to speak. For example, when I was completing my degree in English, I wasn’t sure what I would do with it after I was done.  I just knew I wanted to write, but that’s easier said than done to make a living out of.  So, my husband at the time suggested I try teaching an English class at the local community college. He had been teaching math there and really enjoyed it, so I reluctantly tried it even though I really didn’t want to teach English. That was the LAST thing I wanted to do with my degree, and I can be stubborn when I want to be….BUT…I’m also not one to back down from a challenge, so I started teaching part-time at the college, and in a very short time period, I knew that I loved it, and by the time I finished my own 4 year degree, I was ready to go for my Masters in Education with a specialization in teaching English as a Second Language.  Point being, the solutions sometime appear in times and ways we are not even ready or looking for, and often I think that’s the key.  When you are not sure what to do, let it go for awhile, and when you are least expecting it, the answers will come to you. 

December 25: Writing Prompt #359-I Was Here

You are the first astronaut to arrive on a new, uncharted planet. Write the note that you leave to those who come after you.

Dear Future Space Explorers,

It’s so exhilarating to discover a new land, isn’t it?  Even though someone before you has stepped foot on this planet, we do not lay claim on it because we believe the universe is for all of us to explore and enjoy.  There’s been enough fighting over land on Earth already, and we do not want to keep that trend going as we found a new planet.  That said, you are welcome here with us, to learn what life can be like, to help us chart the planet, and to plan for the future of it together.  Looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

Sincerely,

American Astronauts from the Planet Earth

December 24: Writing Prompt #358-The Best Day Ever

You get to enjoy the best day ever — describe in detail what that means to you. Where are you? What will you do? What’s the weather like? What will you eat? Who will you see?

This is a prompt I feel that I have answered in many varied ways throughout this year, so I think you probably already know what my Best Day Ever would look like. Basically, it would take place somewhere in nature (on a mountain, a beach, or maybe on a river) where we would enjoy outdoor fun (hiking, swimming, floating down the river) , and the weather would be clear, bright, and comfortable. All my favorite foods would be there from sushi to pizza , French fries, and Mexican fare. I would see all my family and friends there, and we would have a wonderful time reminiscing and just being together.

December 23: Writing Prompt #357-The Guilt That Haunts Me

Share a time when you were overcome with guilt.

I don’t know that there’s one particular time I have felt overcome with guilt over a single action or word, but there’s been more times than I can count that I felt guilt over a bad decision, even a right decision that I knew would hurt others, or a sharp word to another that never should have been spoken.  The problem with guilt is that it’s useless, and it can cause you to make more subsequent decisions that are harmful to others because you are not acting out of their best interests, but rather your own guilt.  For example, spoiling your children because you feel guilt over divorcing their mom or dad.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to feel remorse for our mistakes, but to drown in that guilt or allow it to affect the way you respond to family and friends is not okay. Guilt is good in that it starts us on the process to reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing, but you have to let it move you forward to being a better you, not keep you down or pull you out of the world and living life to the fullest.  So, yes, there have been times I have felt the weight of guilt on my heart and mind, but once I feel this, I know it’s time to figure out how to fix it, to make it right (or at least as right as it can be) and learn from it, not carry it around like a bag full of rocks.  Maybe that’s why there’s not one particular moment of guilt that sticks out for me because my faith taught me long ago how to ask forgiveness, let go, and work on being better for next time.  After all, He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be…..

December 22: Writing Prompt #356-Interplanet Janet

You get to design your own planet: tell us all about your planet — the weather, the seasons, the inhabitants. Go.

Well, my planet would look eerily like Earth.  I love this planet. I love that the weather changes and is different in the various part of the world you may have the opportunity to visit or reside in.  I love all the seasons and even the inhabitants (for the most part). I mean, no place is perfect, and even if I had the chance to design my own planet, it would eventually take on a life of its own (just as Earth has), and it would develop it’s own set of issues, so why do it. I’ll stick with what has already been designed and created for us and is pretty amazing as is, even after so many years of rough treatment at the hands of its inhabitants. As for this Interplanet Janet, I am thankful to be able to call this third rock from the sun my home. How ‘bout you?

December 21: Writing Prompt #355-My Number One

Who is the most important person in your life? Describe that person in as great a detail as you can muster and most importantly, tell us why you cherish this person.

I think the most important person in our lives can change or evolve with time and experiences.  If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have said hands down that my mom was the most important person in my life. She was my cheerleader, my spiritual mentor, my best friend, and my mom all at the same time.  She is beautiful, petite, independent (particularly at that time living on her own in South Alabama), unwavering in her faith, and she understands me and much of what I have been through in my life thus far.

 In the last decade, both our lives have changed entirely. My mom is back together with my dad, I have remarried, and we’ve both moved. These circumstances have pulled us away from each other a bit.  We have other important people that we need to focus our attention on today, and we don’t depend on each other like we used to, but that’s okay. That’s part of life. 

Bottom line, my mom is still one of my very best friends and very important to me, and just because we don’t talk as much as we used to, and we are more preoccupied with our significant others and our lives in our new homes, I still cherish her and always will because she has been there for me every time, above and beyond her motherly duty, and she always knows just what to say to make it right, or at least as right as it can be for the moment.