Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

Spending too much time thinking about the past is holding you back from planning your future. Daydreaming about the future is very healthy, we use our imagination and we can manifest a brighter future. That’s not to say I never look back, there’s great joy in thinking about my grandparents and looking at old photos all the way back to when I was born.

Thinking about the past all the time can stagnate your growth and could mean you have unresolved anger or trauma. I first experienced trauma shorthly after I was born because my mother abused me. I’ve had other trauma’s like being stalked, sexually assaulted and my father’s suicide, I don’t want to wallow in those memories. Seeing my Therapist for 32 years has helped me resolve my trauma and I don’t look back.

The future is wide open and you have the ability to live your best life.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

What would be the greatest gift? WOW, that is a big question however true love and committment are the greatest gifts for me. I’ve been fortunate to have received expensive gifts and small simple gifts and honestly they both made me happy but love can’t be bought.

I’ve been married 23 years and everyday my husband shows me he loves me in little ways that make me feel joy inside. Sometimes, like for Christmas this year he bought me a couple of small Swarovski Crystal trinkets including an ornament for 2025. He is the only person to buy me the trinkets and it’s been at least 15 years since he purchased the last one, it was quite a surprise.

Love is all a we need!

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?

That’s a great question because I’m not into sports. I watch a tiny bit of football or golf with my husband on occasion but not a fan of any. I do appreciate the great play’s in any sport, that is the excitement of the games.

Of the college & professional football teams, most mascot’s are boring. I would chose an animal like a leopard, koala, or a marine animal and a color combination that works best for the animal. If I had the ability to make the decision, I would teaming up with an appropriate charity or conservation organization with a percentage of money from each game, or concessions to make a difference and educate the public with out having it crammed down their throat.

Photo by Connor Slade on Pexels.com

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Children · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is your all time favorite automobile?

I’ve been a car lover since high school after meeting several guys how had awesome and fast cars. It’s not just fast cars that catch my eye, I’ve been to many types of local cars shows or car club meeting over the years. It’s hard to pick one car when I appreciate so many however being the owner of a 1963 Corvette fully restored would blow my mind.

At every Corvette meeting, I would chat up every owner of a 1963-1967 Corvette, they are the same body style but 1963 is the year I was born. Adding icing to the cake. I also love many old salon type cars, for that matter I enjoy cars old and new.

If you are thinking about buying a Corvette, I suggest you drive one and get in and out many times. The car lays close to the ground and getting in and out can be awkward at times. I bought a white Corvette in my early 30’s not thinking about logistics, like getting in with an umbrella or taking a older client to lunch.

I had to take care of a baby for a half a day, my friend managed to get Cowboy’s tickets on Thanksgiving day. I wrangled the car seat in and headed to my brother’s for our gathering. The baby was a huge surprise from me and the only thing I had to do was change a diaper and found out later it was on backwards. All the women kept passing the baby around that I had little to do, which is great since I know nothing about babies except you feed them and shortly after it’s time for a diaper change.

Go Corvette!

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.

I don’t hope for people to think or say nice things about me, that’s not important. What’s important is what I think about myself and it’s a bonus if people think kindly of me. I’m thrilled everytime a blogger sends me a nice comment or appreciates a post, it’s an instant smile every time. People judge or have a perception of you based on many factors and it’s beyond our control.

Living an authentic life is how I live and people will form their own perception of me. I’m mostly talking about blogging because my close family members are no longer here and it’s hard to make friends when you don’t leave the house.

Living life wishing or worrying about what other’s think of you is a waist of time. My reply is not meant to sound negative, it’s my reality and everyone’s is different. The difference it what makes the world go round.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Children · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite cartoon?

Choosing one is a difficult task because there were so many great cartoons when I was little. The one that sticks with my is Popeye, eating his spinch for strenght and declaring “I am what I am”. My memory of every episode doesn’t come to mind but Popeye had a positive attitude and always pitched in to make things right.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What could you do less of?

For me, it’s what I could do more of because less is my way of life. A couple of years ago, I decided to live in the slow lane because of high stress levels and medical conditions requiring attention in addition to having Agoraphobia.

I’m fortunate that my stress levels have come way down since my husband retired in April 2025.

I wake up every day thinking about working in the garden, photography and driving again. Remaining positive will manifest good things in life.

Stay focused on the future and never give up.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is one thing you would change about yourself?

Everything I’ve been through makes me who I am today, that’s not to say I don’t look for ways to improve my life. As far a physical self, I would not change anything. As Popeye said, “I am what I am”. Sure I could nit pick about my imperfections inside and out but I would rather look forward instead.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Are you more of a night or morning person?

Good question for which I have mixed answers for. I naturally tend towards being a night person because I love to sleep in a bit however during my working years, being a morning person was not an option and in fact towards the end of my career, I enjoyed waking up early to have a cup of coffee at home instead of on the way to work, to me coffee doesn’t taste the same while driving.

Now, I’m a bit of both because many nights I can’t sleep or sleep only a couple of hours which means I tend to take a nap mid-morning.

I’ve not been one to jump out of bed at 5:00 am to greet the day, what am I going to do at that hour?

Photo by Moon Bhuyan on Pexels.com

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Cooking · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are your feelings about eating meat?

All animals big and small are important to our existence and since the beginning of mankind we have eaten meat for nourishment. The treatment of the animals and what they are feed came to my mind many years ago and I do still eat meat a couple of days a week.

When meat is on the menu including eggs, we buy organic, free-range, grass feed, non-GMO and anything else to make sure our food is clean and the animals were treated with care before death. Chickens are treated horribly, they live in crowded dirty cages and let’s not get started on what they are feed.

I choose to eat meat and care about the animals welfare at the same time. That will make sense to some and not others. To each his own.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Wring Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Name your top three pet peeves.

Just three?????? At 62, my peeves have changed as I age, thank goodness. Peeves are what I call my last nerve and there are more than three but the top ones are: being told what to do or think, abuse of any kind including animals, arrogance.

Outside of the three are: people who wallow in their problems, liars, are unkind and rude, and people who do not help others. Oh, I can’t forget, someone constantly reminding me of what I need to do and the ones who won’t take responsibly.

I’m far from perfect but no one is, my attitude has changed along with what I think is important. I shake the thoughts off after they happen but they pop-up the next time.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

I prefer both because they offer such different opportunities yet if I had to pick it would be water. I have loved the water or playing in water since I was a small child and once older I discovered the love of falling asleep being rocked by the water. There’s nothing like waking up to the sunrise drinking a cup of coffee while the water calms you.

I’ve had one bad experience on my friends 40ft boat. One day the weather was beautiful, I was sail boarding when I saw this massive black cloud coming our way. I rushed back to the boat and the waves on the way back to the dock were massive, he dealt with the waves while I was down stairs scared but constantly picking up items that had fallen including myself. I felt like it took forever. So glad he was at the helm.

The mountains are beautiful because the terrain is always different and you can see for miles. I was a hiker at one time but stopped after climbing a 1,000 feet to reach the top of Verna Falls at Yosemite National Park. We were rookies at climbing mountains and the climb reminded me why. You had to hike in circles all the way up, I had only one pole and several times I thought about stopping but knew better. The waterfall made every step worth it.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · History · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?

WOW!!!!! I have a long list of histrorical people I would love to chat with and learn from. It’s a toss up between, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.

Why? because George Washington was the first President, a Founding Father, he didn’t belong to a political party and and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President, and His Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for slavery’s abolition, while his Gettysburg Address stands as one of the most famous pieces of oratory in American history.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

References:

https://www.history.com/articles/abraham-lincoln

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

I don’t have a favorite month because each month has something wonderful to offer. New Years day is a great time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments and turn my focus to apply what I’ve learned tothe new year.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s the first impression you want to give people?

I would like people to see me as a warm and welcoming person but in reality it doesn’t matter because their impression is their perception and has nothing to do with who I really am. The impression of me would also be different based on who I am meeting, say I’m meeting a religious leader, I would be humbled and taking in their presence and any lessons offered and not ask questions unless the door was open. I think the impression of me is different for everyone I met.

I am not a fluffy person and my writing is more raw and to the facts. That in itself could be taken may different way. All I can do is be who I am and hope that people will give me grace.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’m an American and I once was proud to say that. I still love America and it is home for me but the politics, division in the country and the rise in physical and cyber crime is very concerning. Almost 10 years ago everything changed with the focus of our government with the biggest impact is neither party working together, they out right refuse. How are they helping Americans grow?

Back to the question. I have looked at other countries as an excersis and have found the countries that live by the values and government style I perfer and way to cold. I’ve thought about Austrailia because I think in many ways we are similar and while visiting Sydney, everyone was so welcoming. It made me think I was back home in Texas.

There are locations that have crossed my mind but in reality every country has it’s issues and living in America is far less expensive than any country I researched. I would not feel right moving away from my home country but wish for some magic to turn America around to better times.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?

Meeting Ross Perot during his race for President was meaning full. Several of us were traveling back home when all the flights were stopped due to heavy snow. We looked at each othher and ask “Are we going to have to stay overnight?”.

Right about that time Ross Perot, his wife and some staffers enter the lobby. The hairs on my neck went up, he is a business legend. I was smiling and he walked right over to me, shaking my hand. We chatted a moment, with his wife by his side. I mentioed we were grounded due to weather and then we said our goodbyes.

Minutes latter Mrs. Perot came back and offered me a ride on their plane so I could get home that night. It was wonderful gesture and no doubt would be a chance of a lifetime yet I could not acccept the offer. My confidence dipped thinking about being in there presence, what you I have interesting to talk about and after arriving home, I still needed a ride. It felt like to much to ask.

Looking back, the adventious me would have jumped at the chance.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you manage screen time for yourself?

It took me years to set limits on myself, especially when I was single. In 2017 I opened my now closed X account and the numbers of hours spent waisting time, I can’t get back. My phone and computer were like an appendege. I’m proud of myself for realizing it was affecting my mental health and my sleeping issues.

Changing habits is hard to do, it doesn’t happen overnight. My change started several years ago by focusing on sleeping habits to reduce anxiety. I go to bed an hour before bedtime, in that hour the goal is to unwind, clearing my head is necessary to falling asleep. Self-care helps the process, like an ultrusonic diffuser with calming essential oils, using a roller ball of essential oil on your pulse points, and indulging in hand & body cream. The room is dark, no electronics and a bit cooler.

Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

What has made the biggest difference is cutting the time spent watching news in half and not spending time on the computer after 6:00PM, it sounds crazy yet my brain wakes up and it’s hard to wind down. When I hear my husband coming to bed I’m normally rested and ready to sleep. One key is being consistant with the time spent before bedtime.

A blessing and curse happened in January, all of my personal information was released is a large data breach, I’m now exposed for the rest of my life for identity theft. I had to change every password, get new credit cards, add second step authorizations and I decided to close all social accounts. The last step the easiest.

All changes require determination, commitment, and consistency.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s something you believe everyone should know.

I think everyone needs to know they matter, their life matters, health matters, with that foundation we can move forward on solid ground.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Internet Good/Bad · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

I’m not into hypothetical questions yet this is a fun one. My first wish would ask for my worst health conditions to go away, including the high levels of pain I muddle through everyday. The second wish would be to spend as much time as possible with my Grandparents saying the things I did not say enough and asking all the questions I have for them. The third is a big ask because I am a curious person and have so many questions in my mind. I would like to spend time with someone who can give me uncomplicated answers to my questions.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

This will be the shortest answer I’ve written. Before my health ruled my days I was very active but I’ve been not one to exercise. Today my answer is a big NO! I don’t like traditional exercise and always found a way to get plenty outside. For many reasons that is not an option.

I do play with the dogs and walk the when I can. Currently I am rehabbing my shoulder after surgery so there is some specific exercises I do that I will not be doing once rehab is completed. I know the health benefits, my health conditions are more important at this time.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are you most proud of in your life?

I made a promise to my Grandparents at a young age that I would take care of them so they could die at home. They were both adamant about it and how could I not deliver. I retired in 2005 to help my Gramps while Granny was dying, my face on hers and she died, it’s a feeling that’s complex and a bit hard to explain. My Gramps had Chronic Kidney Dieases and in 2010 his health fell rapidly. I moved in for five months to take care of him and to keep an eye on him, keeping him out of trouble. The blessing with Chronic Kidney Dieases is it a peaceful death, no pain and they just slip into a come for a couple of days before they die.

I knew the day he would start slippping into a coma and called the immediate family. I made is favorite meal of potato soup. This was the first time he got in the hospital bed, he was determined to live and said staying in a hospital bed was giving up. Hospice had arrived at the house and set up their equipment, it a trained skill to no how much longer a person has to live.

Those five months were exhausting, frustrating, missing my husband yet we grew even closer, learned so much about him and his daily habits. I made the istake of buy regular wrong flavor of Cheerios, wow, I heard about that for days even after going to the store that day to buy the correct flavor. It’s the same flavor I eat today.

Gramps had only told a couple of family members he was dying, one day I set next to him with the phone book and said it was time to let his family and friends know. I had never seen my Gramps emotional or cry before and it broke my heart. I dialed each persons number for him and handed him the phone.

I am forever blessed to have been am to grant their wishes and being a caregiver changed my life.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

“Lazy” days is relative to each person because we all think differently about what the word lazy means. Having a lazy day can make me feel resented yet there was a time when I would have found it unproductive.

When I’m struggling with my mental health and spend more time in bed, I don’t feel rested or unproductive, I’m taking care of myself. When I was at the top of my career, my mental health was at a low point yet I kept pushing myself until I couldn’t anymore. Many people do the same and the reasons are many.

I enjoy a simpler life now, past the shallow parts, and when I need a lazy day, I take it.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What principles define how you live?

Several principles are deep rooted and learned by living with my grandparents as a teen.

If you borrow something, always give it back in better shape.

Always stand by your word.

Be honest.

Retiring made a huge change in what was important to me. Here are few principles I’ve learned.

Give yourself grace.

Live in the moment and be fully invested in the moment.

Be honest with yourself.

Always make time for family.

Each person’s principles are unique and are never wrong.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What have you been putting off doing? Why?

I was recently diagnosed with a lung dieases which has caused damaged my airways. My doctor prescribed a Nebulizer to clear my lungs, it requires two treatments a day. It takes 50 minutes a day which includes cleaning the attachments. I haven’t started the treatments yet because I’ve been battling three other chronic illnesses and only sleeping a couple of hours a night. The box is on my desk in clear view and I do want to start the treatments, just not today.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

Having a million dollars would go a long way in supporting the charities that align with my beliefs, like mental health, sexual violence, homeless veterans, and animal recuse organizations. I would take the million dollars, wait until matching funds are available, and split the money among the charities.

Don’t get me wrong, money is great to have yet money is not the way to happiness. I was a millionaire at 38 and can tell you I was miserable, losing it all was the best thing that happened to me. It was difficult yet the lessons learned about living a shallow life changed me for the better.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Photography

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

It’s hard to pick one because each day brings a new curiosity. Photography has been a passion since I was a teenager, there is always something new to learn. If you counted the 30ish houseplants I have you would see my dedication and pride which requires daily attention, getting lost in time caring for them is a stress reliever.

The closest to my heart is looking at old photos of me with bad haircuts, celebrating birthdays with my Grandparents, Granny always made my favorite German Chocolate Cake with decorative candle holders. Photos of my Grandparents through the years always bring a smile and the 100+ year old photos of ancestors I never met is cool. I try to imagine what life was like at the time, what was the occasion of the photo and what their names are, not to mention what type of camera set up was used.

Everyone has a different interest and that is what makes people so interesting to talk to.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

After the shock wore off, I would cry for the photos of my Grandparents lost and any cherished items they handed down to me. Then I would have to get a grip the best way possible and be thankful for a roof over my head, food to eat and that my family is alive.

Things are nice to have, pretty decorations, art work, books, and list goes on, yet we don’t need those to survive. All we have to do is look around our own country and many other countries where so many people live in poverty and we can see how a simple act of kindness puts a heartfelt smile on their face. A simple gesture like repairing a leaky pipe for an elderly couple brings joy, tears and most important they don’t feel forgotten. I got a bit of course there.

I’m blessed in life, in poverty and in riches, I’ve found joy and a will to keep moving forward.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Children · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

It isn’t so much of changing my mind as it is changing a mindset. Most girls are raised to believe they will grow up and be a mommy just like theirs with a family and that’s not reality. I wasn’t pushed hard growing up about having babies, it was an unsaid given and when I got married there was no pressure from my family on when we were going to start a family. Unlike some of my friends.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

10 years later I was unmarried, without children and diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, because Ovarian Cancer ran on both sides of my family, a total hysterectomy was recommended, and that’s what I did. We have to make decisions based on what is right for us, our health, our life, not others or other’s expectations of us or women.

Children are great, they are a blessing and a gift of God but not every women wants or can have children and their lives are just as fulfilling.

Melinda

Loooking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

That’s a hard one because I have several, the biggest is building tools to help my Agoraphobia. I’ve been reading lately about how you can slowly work to lessen the anxiety with immersion therapy. I’ve put some thought into how to handle that yet Agoraphobia can be all incompassing and it includes much that not abeing able to leave the house.

Second, would be getting more excersis by going to the park with my husband and the dogs.

Melinda

Looking for the Light