Monthly Archives: January 2026

That just happens to be our play-time.

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Daily writing prompt
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
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To be honest, when I read this, I see it as “Daily Play Prompt”. Blessed to have come across it. Rather, happy that I tried it and found joy in doing so. Now I look forward to finding out what it will be the next day.

I am not much of a TV guy, other than some football games, old movies, cartoons and Stooges. Commercials are largely annoying for the most part, focused on the drug of the month, Bank cards and the like. But Matthew and Woody crack me up.

And I know this will come as a complete shock, but I happen to identify with the parental antics being therapeutically addressed by Dr. Rick. Not calling out the customer’s name, turning a photo op into 1 gig marathon, but some of the things people in the crowd at his seminar frown about.

Lawn care is not a hobby.

Breaking down cardboard boxes is not a thrill.

He did not mention sweeping the patio.

Nor did he specifically throw raking leaves and weeding into the mix

Maybe not play time per se. But sources of joy all the same. And all are an avenue of instant gratification. Where you engage in a short effort, work up a sweat, and produce palpable results within an hour or two. Having to push a mower for over an acre of grass is like a trip to PF. Talk about a core work out, rake the leaves in the fall and see how that feels the next day.

Play is what you make of it.

I love to listen to music, so being at a concert is play-time. But having a SoundTouch on the patio puts me in the front row. A vigorous walk around and through the neighborhood, saying “hi” to fellow walkers and kids on bikes or scooters is play. Once I get a bike, that will accompany walks as a form of play. and if my limbs loosen up some more, maybe I can even go back to flippin’ a tire across a field. Then I won’t be married to a gym for a workout.

When you come upon a renewable and revisable source of interest, that doesn’t just grow on you but grows you, I think that is what play-time is meant to be. A chance to engage several different aspects of your being into something that renews. Even work can be that, as long as you are able to find a joy similar to that pulling weeds.

So that being said, perhaps Dr. Rick should turn his attention to a wider audience. Like those that spend their life scrolling, playing video games, taking selfies and aiming for clicks. Mostly inside, alone even surrounded by friends. Maybe that is a market they have never even considered. Trying to get their attention would be about as successful as telling a parental client to stop shouting customer’s names off the cup in the local coffee shop.

I get it.

We parents do act like dorks from time to time.

But you know what?

That just happens to be our play-time.

It all starts with resolve.

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Daily writing prompt
What are your biggest challenges?
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Just recently, by the grace of God, I have been able to piece together some of the origins, impact and outcomes of some of my biggest challenges. It is amazing when coincidence appears and another piece is put into place. Followed by another. Then yet another. Coincidence isn’t just that. It is intentionally created to help one find their way. Alongside Him.

So as these parts came together, the foundation of and additions built upon one of my biggest challenges became recognizable. Not as fuzzy any longer, obscured by other of life’s surroundings, it is now somehow governed by the warning in the side view mirror.

Self-resentment comes in a great many shapes, configurations and depths. Origins of it still being fully unwrapped, reviewed and understood. But at least there are some answers as to the format of the nostalgia I have tended to embrace to this point in my life. And now knowing that better and working my way through the way it has been woven into my life, I am better equipped to confront and dispense with it.

It all starts with resolve.

Have a wonder-full ’26!!!

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Daily writing prompt
What makes you feel nostalgic?
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When I come across these assignments, I tend to look up the origin of words. Just because. I think it is part of my creative process. A venture that has grown to its own level of prominence of late. To learn where it came from, how it was first used and what it became over time connects myriad dots and thoughts. My ever evolving creative process.

So on my way to that, I see that it rhymes with “myalgia”. Pain in one or more muscles. May sound odd, but some of the memories that arrive under the guise of nostalgia, are evident in the pain that seems to remain to this day. Not so much about regret. More so a feel good variety, that takes one back to some stellar moments.

Delving ever deeper, nostalgia was born of the Greek word, “nostos” meaning to return home, and, “algos”, or pain. Returning home to pain. I guess that is one way to look at it. But in this instance, not what this is going to be about. But I digress….

“Nostalgic” can be taken from a half full or half empty perepective. Similar to “reolution” this time of year. Wait, this time last year, because those would have been completed by now. Right? Right. But for what ever reason, my sense is that nostalgia seems focused on what has passed and is now gone, just like resolution is tied to what is not yet to be yet expected to take place all the same. Neither of which seem to have any connection to the present. A sad state of affairs.

If I look back on those nostalgic moments, yes, I can relive the joy that I felt at the time, being a part of our connected to an event or a time that has become a part of my very being. And yet, what is to say that those instances cannot be recreated and re-expereinced again? And again? And then, again? There is nothing that states they are reserved for that one hour, on that day, in that year, when Jupiter was in collusion with Saturn and Io was being shy and hiding because Orion had him in his sights. What was it about those times that can be remade now so that you no longer return home to pain, but recreate the sustaining sustenance of pure joy?

Maybe that is where resolve becomes part of the equation. Not the noun, the end game when we celebrate almost making it happen in ’26 but “honestly” adding it to the to do/bucket list of ’27. But the verb, to act in a committed and intentional manner so as to make the most of each and every moment from this point forward. Just imagine the nostalgia that can be made and added to the collection. Not just to be kept packed away with the LP’s, 8-tracks, cassettes and CD’s in the basement storage area. But literally moments that can captured daily on bluetooth. Played everywhere and at anytime.

So yes, I feel nostalgic about some of the times in my life. I talk to my small circle of friends, not often enough. I spark accomplishment and achievement in others, then witness their joy when the planets and constellations align. Connecting the dots between similar moments in my existence and theirs. Recreating them so to speak, re-experiencing the joy of those wonderful and wonder-full moments.

So let’s just say this. It can be a return home to something other than pain. But only if you resolve to stay right where you are and live as you were meant. Nothing but peace, serenity and true joy resides there.

Have a wonder-full ’26!!!