And ending up with this.

Daily writing prompt
How are you creative?
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Perhaps I am reading too much into the question.

In my noggin, I hear two “hows”. One, how am I creative, imaginative, innovative and inventive? What are the outcomes of those ventures. Then, on the other hand, how do I process creativity? What starts the process, builds upon it, fusses and fidgets and then ultimately creates.

I guess I should just rap it out and see where it takes me.

When I read the prompt this afternoon, I just decided to sit and answer. Nothing came. Stumped. To be honest, a nap took over and I was snoring for about an hour in a recliner. Upon regaining consciousness, old man routine kicked in. Took out the garbage, started some laundry, found a t-shirt for my Blue Oyster Cult loving nephew and set up a coffee time to catch up with #4.

A renewed source of energy following Christmas operations. A span of time that produces a true sense of joy undertaking the mission of gifting. Not asking for and following some list. But working at knowing the other so that you can find that something that makes them smile and warms their heart. Then, watching them look at the wrapped present, and capture the expression when they realize what it was they were gifted.

That happens to be the best gifts I received eve and day. Not sure if endorphins are involved or not. But everything changes within that short window making that expenditure in time, treasure and talent a godsend.

In my prior life in contract converting and distribution, creativity set our team apart from others. Being confronted with an immovable object in terms of labor, material, time or cost created all sorts of avenues for achievement and success. Gathering all together to participate in the process almost always resulted in finding a path through or around that thing once believed to be immovable.

Now, effort and emotion are fully employed to support others with diverse abilities develop careers, find hidden talents, realize potential and gain greater independence.

Akin to being a coach on that one hundred yard piece of heaven. Doing all within your heart, mind, body and soul to lead others to see what they do not see in themselves. To work selflessly for those around them and bond as one to achieve things never imagined.

So perhaps I am creative in my attraction towards imagination, innovation and invention. Ways not just to solve a standing issue, but more importantly, discovering a path that calls on many to believe in a common cause that brings the best out of “it” and “them” simultaneously.

Processing it for me is pondering which of the many ways forward will be the most engaging, enlightening, enjoyable and just plan fun. Like starting out wanting to just answer one simple question.

And ending up with this.

“The gift that keeps on giving, Clark.”

Daily writing prompt
Who are the biggest influences in your life?
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To answer this, I have to first share another aspect of my forthcoming answer. I know, this is totally out of character. But because of the biggest influence, I am better able to embrace many others that just appear and touch my life.

For the longest time, I have had to somehow touch everything in my life. Be totally involved, manage, tend to every aspect, control, contend, bark, direct, etc., etc, ad nauseum. Effectively squeezing out anything or anyone that could have made an impact for the most part. If the guard came down, there would be those epiphanies, scattered far and wide. And many of them remain to this day.

But when I got to the point where none of that worked for me, in fact only worked against me and to my detriment, I simply accepted things and learned to become efficient and effusive with mea culpas. Let go. Lived for this moment. Then the next ten minutes. Another ten. And so on.

A true sense of peace and serenity found me. Once I accepted its gradual but all persuasive and positively pervasive appearance and influence, I just rolled with it. The more I loosed my grip on things, the deeper and wider it grew. Things I read now made sense. What others shared gave me courage and strength. Each moment became an entirely new experience, never knowing who may, what would, justhow or where I might be reformed and re-formed.

No matter how much I thought I could do just because it was me in charge, I couldn’t, wouldn’t or didn’t. But once I just honestly capitualted and let go, I could, would and do. Guided by the influence of all those that somehow just happen to be there, say what needs to be heard, do what I cannot and offer to share what I cannot carry alone.

Like me, they too must have waved the white flag and let go. To experience this level of influence by those that have embraced it too is an altogether different level of peace, serenity and security.

Makes this time of year even better.

“The gift that keeps on giving, Clark.”

Almost made it.

Daily writing prompt
Share what you know about the year you were born.
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Sad to say I wasn’t really attuned to some of these historical events, brought your way by 1959. Even sadder that I when I “asked”, someone with the moniler of A.I. answered. Alas…

Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states.

Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba.

NASA was born, Explorer 6 circled the earth while Russia’s Luna 2 impacted the moon and primates Miss Able and Miss Baker survived orbiting the earth.

Barbie was born.

“Some Like it Hot”, “North by Northwest” and “Ben-Hur” filled movie screens and “A Raisin in the Sun” glowed on Broadway.

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper started performing in heaven.

Richard debated Nikita on consumerism in a kitchen.

Personally, I couldn’t share anything that happened the year I was born in Bethesda. Mom and dad lived there as part of his residency experience.

Two years later my brother was born and we returned to our roots as “FIB’s”, commencing a life long struggle with those of the green and gold. A contentious tit for tat that might have finally turned a corner. Well, maybe allowed us to flip on the blinker. Sheesh.

All I know is that somehow I am sitting here in a kitchen, watching the sun come up, accompanied by a cup of Joe, sharing some nonsense with all of you. I know that Christmas is upon us, so I withheld puns and Dad jokes. You don’t deserve that coal in your stockings today.

But pretty surreal how things turn out, isn’t it. Who would have thunk.

If I get too wrapped up in things tomorrow, I wish you all a blessed and Merry Christmas.

Sorry.

Almost made it.

Perhaps your example will help.

Daily writing prompt
Are you a good judge of character?
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Now there is a sticky wicket.

Having spent too much of my life in the judgemental department, I guess at this point I would defer to, “am I aware when character is present?”

If I see things with that set of eyes and feel it with a true heart, then I sense the presence of character. My current reclamation project is still underway, creeping up to the same time frame as the road work being conducted on I94 for the past millennia. Though they are actually laying new concrete, that road grinder is still at work on me. A few more layers to go is my estimation. But I digress….

When you find yourself in the company of character, it acts as a magnet towards your soul. Filling a need that has just escaped one. Showing you how it is done. So you can see it in action. Emulate. And make it like your own.

Conversely, when you encounter the opposite pole, you should feel a push away. That is, if your positive and negative are in the correct orientation. Again, gives you a sense of what is not only lacking, but more importantly, what is not needed. What has the potential to do harm. A road that can become well travelled if you are not careful.

As time passes, lets just say I am more aware.

There are things mine still lacks.

Perhaps your example will help.

That too makes me most happy.

Daily writing prompt
When are you most happy?
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Had I been able to get to this earlier today would have made me most happy. But Christmas supply chain logistics came into play, and too many KPI’s we’re hanging in the balance for this Santa. But I digress…

Hearing my granddaughter in stitches when I use”wonky” at random and then ad infinitum.

Watching my grandson roll over for the first time and then continue on all the way across the room.

Seeing our OL block through all three levels and then run the field to gather in the endzone with their teammate after they blocked a path for him to score a touchdown.

Seeing tomatoes redden in the garden.

Watching a gazania open at sunrise and close at sunset.

Shoveling the driveway as it snows.

Singing a completely and intentionally tone deaf version of “happy birthday” to my kids, on their day, and leaving it on voicemail.

Making tomato soup and grilled cheese sammiches for dinner.

Watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the umpteenzillionth time.

My best friend’s dimples and smile.

More to come I am sure.

But because of these prompts, I have been able to share with all of you.

That too makes me most happy.