Monthly Archives: July 2026

Just as you pictured it.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s your biggest dream?
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I don’t think I am gonna share anything in this realm. Partly because I don’t really have a biggest, so I can’t. What I do have is an approach I learned from a mentor some time ago. Plus a way to look at what goes into creating one.

First, what he shared was this compelling notion:

Dreams are blue prints.

They are not simply wishes. A dream is intention. A living breathing plan where you actually dwell, work and play within until you make it into the real thing. You have to first be able to see it there in your head, feel it in your heart and sense it in your soul.

A good way to look at it is to consider it on the job training.  You dream so you know what it is going to take, all the way from conception here inside to its inception there outside. All before you actually make the trip.

    From there, this perspective emerged in me front and center.

    Sketch a masterpiece.

    Since you are the one dreamin’ the dream and drawing the blueprint, you might as well make it a masterpiece. Your drawing should capture all of your aspirations, highlight all your strengths and describe all the best that is in you.

    Perhaps in the bill of materials you include what you recognize as your shortcomings. How you transformed yourself could be stipulated in the revisions block. What you overcame, a symbol. How you maximized your capacity can find its way into the legend.

    So when you dream it – dream it big.

    And when you draw it – know no boundaries.

    Be bold in your artisanship.

    So you can truly live it.

    Just as you pictured it.

    Out.

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    Daily writing prompt
    What’s a promise you made to yourself that you’ve actually kept?
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    I cannot call it a promise.

    More of an intention I would have to say. It can be worded all sorts of ways. But what it comes down to for me is just this; stay here.

    In this moment.

    Now.

    Present.

    That is not to say I don’t feel the urge to pull off at the next exit when I am heading south for “The Past”. Or the one that comes right after the rest area labeled “Whathasyettobedetermined”. This is an ongoing battle for me. I have put the blinkers on a few times lately. Tapped the brakes. That being said, my sense is that it always will be that way. I just need to work at taking it down a few notches.

    Hoping that effort too will remain ongoing.

    Staying here is the best way to stick with the now and allow things to happen. One of the most prescient offerings regarding these moments came from Robert Frost. He said “…the best way out is always through.”

    Which makes sense. Reverse then cannot come into play and you cannot see or experience anything beyond what is currently in front of you.

    It can feel somewhat sunsettling just staying here. For lack of a better term, transitory. Perhaps that is how it is taken. Sensed. Not controlled. Planned. Just there.

    But now does only last twenty-four hours, a third of which may be consumed by sleep. Probably explains that growing lack of attachment or concern I have what came before and a general disinterest in devoting or expending any form of energy towards “next” whatsoever.

    If I can remain focused, then through can only be seen from where I am right now.

    Not simply the best way.

    The only way.

    Out.

    Just sayin’.

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    Daily writing prompt
    What app eats up most of your screen time — and do you even feel bad about it?
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    App?

    Aside from Fox News, Gmail, Outlook for work, texts, Spotify, and the weather? Sorry.

    Nada.

    But things have been consuming hours of screen time around these parts.

    First?

    As the last episode closed out, we went back to this one.

    But now?

    As we inch towards the football season, we have to hit the field.

    Neither of us are Cowboy fans. We are from Chicago. Where our team is from.

    At least for now. Sheesh.

    But watching these athletes for the third season in a row, we just cannot get over the intention, effort and passion they expend pretty much year ’round now.

    Perhaps the ones they cheer for could afford to kick it up a few notches.

    Just sayin’.

    So he may live too.

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    “If you are renewed by grace, and were to meet your old self, I am sure you would be very anxious to get out of his company.”
    ― Charles H. Spurgeon

    Amen to that Pastor Spurgeon.

    And one of the gifts that accompanied grace was that of metanoia. Per my assistant, Mr. Ai, metanoia is:

    “…a transformative, profound change of heart, mind, or lifestyle, often described as a spiritual conversion, a reorientation of oneself, or moving beyond fear-based thinking. It is commonly understood as turning away from an old way of thinking to a new perspective.”

    Repentance in a nutshell.

    Long overdue for this stoic.

    So blessed that this is my perpetual work in process. A surrender to intentional psychological transformation, spiritual conversion and change at its most fundamental level in mindset have literally acted to save my life.

    I am still trying to get my head around that blessing.

    So if I ran into my old self, I would definitely recognize him. Being that I know no strangers, I may say “Hello, how are you?”. After all, I do know what he is going through. And that he needs some understanding. Compassion. Support. Sympathy. And love.

    Perhaps if I offer him a prayer, he will be gifted and renewed as I. Grace has a way of reducing anxiety. Establishing presence. Opening the door to repentance. And leading one to true change, in the manner of metanoia.

    I know it was given to me.

    The least I can do is hope the same is given to him.

    So he may live too.