Back on May 7th, I declared that I would be writing in my blog for one hundred days. Well, there’s been one post since that time. Life sometimes gets lifey, and as a result, I haven’t done much writing on this blog. And so on this day, I recommit to writing on my blog for one hundred consecutive days. Please be assured that I do continue to write each day. I have filled several volumes of journals during these past several years. But on this day, I’ll make a pledge to post at least something each day.
David Lee
Daily Writing Prompt – August 17
The city I live in, Hickory, North Carolina, is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. At present, our city is not too large (say, like Charlotte), not too small,,,I would say just the right size.
Creature of Habit….
I am told that I am a creature of habit. I’ve realized the truth about that statement. From the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep (or attempt to), I do a lot of the same things over and over.
Morning Routine…
When I wake up each day, first thing, and before the stampede of thoughts of what’s to be done each day, I try to remember to pray. As a member of the recovery community, I have a third-step prayer and a seventh-step prayer that are a part of my waking routine. These prayers let me know that whatever might transpire that day, it’s a part of a bigger plan.
Next, it’s time to take my daily medications. I know it’s important to keep up that regimen to stay healthy. I also l look to see which meds are in short supply and when necessary, order their refills online.
I then do my social media posts for the day. I’ve got two readings from books that I’ve shared for the past eight years. I also post two positive affirmations from separate pages to give hints on what might make people’s days more productive. I also post what I call “pennies” which quite a few aren’t actual puns, but are humorous in nature. I have more people say they look forward to the humor each day than comments on any of the other posts that I do.
Next, I have a set of four online games I play. I start with Wordle, where you try to figure out what five letter word they’re posting. I’ve played this game 357 times and have a 91% success rate. At one point, I had 32 consecutive correct guesses.
The second online game I play is Connections. It has a group of 16 words that you try to place together in groups of four. Their commonality may have something to do with what they’re used for or how they are spelled. This is probably the most challenging of the games I play.
The third game I play is Strands. It’s an online word search where all the words you’re looking for have to do with a certain theme. Today’s theme was “Cut and Color” and dealt with gemstones. I was able to get it solved and for words you find that aren’t a part of the overall theme, it gives you bonus points to earn hints.
The final game I play is a mini-crossword puzzle. It is usually fairly easy and only usually contains 10-12 words. It also keeps track of how much time it’s taken you to come up with a correct solution.
I also in the morning have to remember to brush my teeth. It’s the last thing I do before getting ready to head out for the day. I don’t know how long this wake-up process takes, but it’s what I have found is the best way to start the day.
David Lee
One Hundred Days of Writing Renewal…
I have decided that I will once again be on a journey of writing blog entries for one hundred days. I did this two years ago and thought this would be a good opportunity as we prepare to begin the summer season.
I will, on some days, be using the WordPress writing prompt they supply each day. On others, I will attempt to offer something more original. Over the past twenty-one plus years, I have written in my journal nearly every day. I rarely go anywhere without my journal in hand. While typing on the keyboard is a bit different feel, I’m thinking it will be just as helpful.
My intent is to make this one hundred consecutive days of entries, although if it is like the last time I attempted it, not every day will find an entry. I’m hopeful that I’m able to stay motivated enough to produce some entries worth reading.
Day 1 of 100
David Lee
Writing Prompt…
I am involved in the recovery community and attend meetings on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. I find that the fellowship and programs they offer are instrumental in my continued building of a positive lifestyle.
I also substitute teach two-to-three times per week. I know this is a paid position, but it does keep me connected to the community at large.
I also go to coffee shops in our area. I have made a lot of friends at each of the shops I frequent and this is an important part of my daily life.
Morning Meditation Mantra….
I ask the God of my understanding this day…
- What would you have me to do this day?
- Where would you have me to go this day?
- What would you have me to say this day?
- To whom would you have me to say this to today?
Where is My Focus?
We all have had unfortunate events in our lives that can cast a shadow on our present moments. Marianne Williamson says that we need to focus on the possibilities of the present and future moments to create a more favorable outlook on life.
There is a tendency for people to focus on the tragedies and dark points in their lives. Something that has happened in the past seems to cast a shadow over any possible enjoyment we might experience in the future.
Instead of focusing on those not-so-good times, we’re better off being in the present moment and shining light on a brighter future.
Two examples from Biblical history illustrate this point. When the Jewish people were wandering for forty years in the desert, they went through many trials and tribulations. But eventually, they found the promised land and were able to transcend their plight. Instead of continuing to focus on the hardships they had faced for so many years, it was more conducive to dwell on the fact that had found the “land of milk and honey” and would be suffering no more.
The second example from the Bible is the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus crucifixion was horrific and those who followed Him were hard-pressed not to focus on the tragedy that had occurred. But following his resurrection, there was much joy and celebration to be realized. Would it make any since to continue to dwell on the horrors of His death or to focus on His rebirth.
Yes, we as humans have hardships to endure in life. But if we allow these events to color our perspective, we may find ourselves reliving the horrid past many times over. We are better served to focus on being in the present moment and looking forward to the miracles that can occur in our lives.
David Lee
Daily Writing Prompt – April 1st
Daily writing prompt
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
I have a ritual that I do to begin each day. I have several meds that I take each day. I brush my teeth. I have several posts on social media that I’ve posted for quite a few years and I post those. I also have two games I play and post results for, Wordle and Connections.
On days when I’m not working, I go to the local coffee shop and get a bowl of oatmeal and a large cup of coffee. They pretty much know what I’m going to order each day because I’m a creature of habit. That is my daily routine.
David Lee
Brain exercise,,,
My New Favorite Song…
While I was at the local cafe’ for breakfast yesterday morning, I heard a somewhat familiar song playing on the intercom. I use the Shazam app on my phone to identify its title and artist and then proceeded to listen to it. The song and its lyrics really struck a chord with me. I shared it with a friend and all-told yesterday, I must have listened to it over forty times. I also looked up various versions on YouTube and share one of my favorites below.
https://youtu.be/jxiluPSmAF8?si=oahNF8Yc_uaYrnir
Lyrics
… Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way
… But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
… I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
… Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way
… But now it’s just another show
And you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
… I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love
I really don’t know love at all
… Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, “I love you, ” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
… Oh, but now old friends, they’re acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I’ve changed
Well, something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day
… I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all
… It’s life’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know life
I really don’t know life at all
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Joni Mitchell
Both Sides Now lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc
David Lee 