Month: January 2023

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Retro Tuesday 1-24-2023

I Am Brave 30-Day Challenge – Day 1 5-23-2017

I am Inspired.

Today’s Brave Act.

Choose a physical object to serve as a reminder of why you committed to this 30-Day Brave Challenge.

Embed your intention in this object. Strategically place it where it will be seen/used every morning during this short, powerful exercise.

TODAY’S JOURNAL PROMPT

What was the seed that inspired you to start this 30-day challenge?

What does it mean to be inspired? And, by that, I mean what does it mean to me, deep down, to be inspired. I know I haven’t felt inspired for a long time. At least I haven’t felt inspired and remained inspired. Inspiration comes like the ocean waves, washing in one moment and out the next.

I get scared. What am I doing? What am I trying to do? What do I think I can do and why do I think I can do this? I can’t, you know.

I don’t have the inspiration or courage to fully commit.

Sadly, every time I back down, I dishonor myself. I feel that dishonor and yet I can’t force myself to move forward. It is easier, by far, to just let things happen, to drift through life as it comes instead of attempting to mold itinto what I want. Who I want to be. What I want to do. How I want to let my light shine.

As I said, I dishonor and disappoint myself every time I open my writing file and am paralyzed with fear. I can’t do this because nobody will care. Or read it. Or like it.

On the other hand, what does that matter? I am, after all, simply telling the lives of the characters who live inside me. I am telling their stories for me, and so they will quit bugging me to be heard.

Today’s brave idea is Inspired. I know how I’m not inspired. I’m afraid of being inspired. But what would happen if I was inspired. How can I be brave about being inspired.

I am brave because being a writer is all I have ever been. I can never not remember when I wasn’t a writer. And, corny as it might sound, I have always felt a presence leading me forward. Encouraging me to just take one more step and then another and another. Telling me that all my dreams will come true if I just keep trying. Moving forward.

Remembering to be inspired.

For my brave act, I am choosing a candle to remind me of the flame of desire living inside me. It can’t die, this flame, unless I let it go and stop believing in myself. So I light this candle (its pumpkin, by the way) every morning to remember me of my promise to myself.

I can be brave.

I can find my self again.

I can take a leap of faith and trust I will land safely.

I can overcome my fears.

I can plant the seed of bravery inside my heart.

I can know – I do know – I can be brave.

Can you?

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FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER: 2023: Week 5

A photo prompt topic is to be used as your ‘muse’. They will arrive promptly at midnight each Wednesday morning.

Include the photo prompt and its credits with your story on your blog.

All stories are to be crafted and honed to under 300 words in length.

Each flash fiction piece should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. No serial stories. It is harder to stay abreast of a serial story. (Please keep content PG-13.)

Once you have your post complete, create a pingback to this post if you are on WordPress. If that is not an option for you, add your post’s link in the comments section. It is the desire of this blog to become a flourishing writing community.

Plan a day to visit the writings of our challengers to enjoy our creations and to provide a little positive feedback.

Photo by Rendy Novantino on Unsplash

“Do you think they are aiming to get the packages?”

“Why not?”

“”I mean, who doesn’t put packages up on the top of a flagpole to
entice bored shoppers.”

“Why not?”

“I’m betting on the lady. She’s one tough cookie.”

“You shouldn’t call a lady a tough cookie.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not nice.”

“I’m not nice.”

“Yes, you are.”

“You are mistaking me for somebody else.”

“Not possible.”

The taxi pulled away from the curve, barreling out into traffic.

“Entirely possible and probable.”

“Obviously, Mr. White Tie has them all beat.”

“I’m still betting on the lady.”

“You would.”

“Of course.”

“What do you think is in the packages?”

“Purses?”

“Really?”

“Why not.”

“Ok. Why not purses.”

“Do you have all the information for the 3:00 meeting?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Singleton arrived?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“Are you sure….”

“Positive.”

The taxi pulled up in front of the hotel. Mr. Rice got out, leaned back down to the window. “Positive, Andrew. And just think, by next week, you might be climbing the flagpole, too.”

“God forbid.”

“Surely your wife can use a new purse.”

“God forbid.”

Rice laughed, stepped back from the taxi. “Don’t worry, Andrew. By next week, you’ll be rolling in money.”

“Better than climbing the flagpole.”

“Take a chance, Andrew,” Mr. Rice shot back, heading for the entrance of the hotel. “See you at three.”

The taxi dashed away as Andrew settled back into the seat. “Purses on a flagpole. Who’d ever.”