Tag: dailyprompt

Every one.

Daily writing prompt
What relationships have a positive impact on you?
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The farther down the road I travel, the more each relationship in my life has a positive impact.

I believe this is some of the residue of my ongoing reclamation project. There was a time when they tended to get the better of me. More so due to my overall approach and the fantasy I created regarding valuation, expectations, recognition and the like. Overfunctioning at its best. Relationships started like that are doomed to failure.

But now that I have come to a better understanding as to my general nature and how it came to be, I no longer venture into any on that basis. That way, just the fact that I can interact from a different perspective makes them positive in some fashion and level.

No longer a potential generator of resentment.

But now, a blessing.

Every one.

Can’t wait for tomorrow.

Daily writing prompt
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
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Didn’t have to build it.

I just found it. Right under my nose.

Great place to watch the sun come up too.

Still doing some recon for the reading spot. But I think I may have found that downstairs.

But for now, this spot is doing wonders.

Turns out, it is building me.

Can’t wait for tomorrow.

Mission accomplished.

Daily writing prompt
What is your all time favorite automobile?
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I think my response will be guided by the times I remember being in and around each auto.

Growing up, I recall a Nash Rambler in the garage. I do not recall any of the specifics of that, perhaps it was primarily used on grocery runs and whatnot around town.

Sometime thereafter, I seem to recall my dad getting a ’65 Mustang. I think the receipt is somewhere in a bin, downstairs. New off the lot, for about $2500. Sheesh. My mom had one of those Ford stationwagons with the paneled sides, and a seat for us urchins facing backwards. That took us to practices, on many trips to Gramps and Gram, West and South, as well as the vacations to go fishing in the UP. I think when I first started to drive, I used her car to tool around, listening to the “Loop” and XRT on the FM converter.

Once highschool hit, we tended to travel via the “Moe-Mobile”, a Plymouth Fury, I think, the size of a yacht. All of us scoundrels fit perfectly within it. We defined death and destruction in that car, perfecting a ride we named “Weeeee!”, where we sped down a hilly road, turned off the lights and hit our noggins on the roof each descent.

One summer, four of us drove straight through to Hilton Head, in a hatch-back Vega, leaking oil, overcome by B.O. and Frito feet. Yikes.

The following year, somehow, we were granted permission to use the Moe Mobile 2.0. Larger capacity for the four of us, FM stereo, and air conditioning. B.O. is still the same aroma, hot or cold.

But the coolest one ever was the summer my linemate had access to a ’76 Eldorado convertible through his dad’s work. White with red interior. Front wheel drive, three across the front seat and at least four in the back. The top never went up and we never used the doors. It was jump in, start ‘er up and go, with Ted Nugent or Blue Oyster Cult blaring at 11.

Today, I just need wheels.

Then, it was just about making some great memories.

Mission accomplished.

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.”