Why do you write?
January 6, 2023
When I was younger, I used to write in a diary. I wrote in it because it helped to put my thoughts and feelings onto paper. Often feelings of anger and frustrations tore through its pages. As I’ve gotten older, I write to share information. This is part of the reason why I created this blog. Between my childhood and young adulthood years, I usually only wrote for school assignments and essays. I rediscovered my joy for writing a few years ago when I started and completed the 300 Writing Prompts Journal and wrote in it every single day for most of the year. I occasionally write in The Five Minute Journal from time to time, but now most of my writing is done here.
What brings you joy in life?
January 5, 2023
Quality time spent with family and friends and slow mornings. Whether it’s a family dinner or a stroll in the park with a couple of old friends, it’s moments like these that brings me joy in life. I’ve lately also had the chance to enjoy slower mornings which have allowed me more time for rest, reading and exercise. I start my day a little later than I had used to, and I’ve noticed that it has really helped to set my day off to a great start.
What is a treasure that’s been lost?
January 4, 2023
Back in the fifth grade, a classmate that was seated next to me had a pencil that he named “Bo-Bo”. I’m not sure why he gave his pencil this name but he did. What was special about this pencil (at least to him) was that it was really short. It had been sharpened so far down that the lead and the eraser were separated by very little yellow. I can’t recall if I had asked to borrow the pencil or take it home for the evening but he kindly agreed that I could. All I can remember is that I had accidentally dropped it somewhere in my living room and was not able to find it. Until this day, Bo-Bo the pencil became a treasure that was forever lost.
Have you ever lost something that belonged to a somebody else? What was it and what did you do about it?
What is the earliest memory you have?
January 3, 2023
I’m not sure if this is an early memory or one that I vaguely recall through a photo. Either way, the earliest memory I would say that I have would be learning to walk. When I was younger and well into my young adult years, my family enjoyed travelling to either Erie or the Poconos in Pennsylvania. We were on vacation in Poconos, Pennsylvania when I learned to walk at 11 months old. I like sharing this memory because it reminds me that some of our most memorable experiences and moments can happen anywhere in the world. Sometimes we may think that milestones are to be made at home, but I realize now that for so many years, Pennsylvania became a second home for my family and I.
Where in the world is or has become a second home for you? Happy to hear in the comments.
How are you brave?
January 2, 2023
I believe that the need to be brave is something that we are faced with from time to time. There were many times when I had to be brave as a kid, such as getting a needle. I’d close my eyes shut and winced until I felt the prick and it was over. I needed to be brave when I had to speak in front of a conference room full of professionals, since public speaking always made me nervous. But, today I’m going to tell you about a moment that I was brave during a 2018 trip to New Zealand. I was travelling with three very adventurous friends and we wanted to make the best and most of our trip. When we landed and arrived in Queenstown from Melbourne, we popped into a store where we could learn about and register for some of the excursions and activities within the area. One of the activities we discovered was the Shotover Canyon Swing and of course, all of my friends wanted to try it. We had to register and pay for it there, so it was at that moment that I had to make the decision of whether or not I also wanted to do it. I have a pretty big fear of heights, but I knew that if I didn’t face that fear, be brave, and go for it, I probably wouldn’t be presented with the opportunity to do something like this again, let alone be willing to try it years later. As you can see from the photo below, here I am in Queenstown, New Zealand, preparing for a forward tandem jump down into the canyon with my friend. Can you see the fear in my eyes and smile? Haha! Let’s just say I closed my eyes for half of the jump, but I’m proud that I was brave enough to at least give it a try.
Have you done something like this before or would you be willing to? Let me know in the comments!
What is something you want to achieve this year?
January 1, 2023
Happy New Year, everyone!
Something that I really want to achieve this year is an organized Gmail inbox. The oldest email in my inbox is from 2014 and it’s 78% full. I have added this to my to-do list many times and still have yet to accomplish this. My plan to achieve this goal is to:
1. Check my inbox daily and delete emails that I don’t need or plan to read.
2. Unsubscribe from emails that I am no longer interested in receiving.
3. Create folders and organize old emails that I plan to keep.
Happy to receive any tips or suggestions in the comments that may help. Wish me luck!
