Celebrate Life · Climate Change/Global Warming · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are you most worried about for the future?

The first major concern is the state of politics around the world. Since I live in America I’m more concered than ever. Some county’s dislike Trump so much they are now taking it out on American travelers. I’ve seen locals in Italy carring water guns and shotting them on Americans, and the protest over Jeff Bezos wedding was pure hatred. I understand why other countries are unhappy with Trump but direct your energy towards him. I don’t like him either, he’s an embarrassment but hating all Americans because of him is ridiculous.

This isn’t about politics, it’s about countires like Italy who are unhappy in uptick of visitors. Before you shoot that water gun at a traveler remember, tourist generates a huge amount of money in businesses across the board, if tourist stop coming people will loss their jobs and the economy will down slide. Get over yourself. This is one way hatred starts.

Climate Change has concerened me for many years, it started with recycling newspaper and once recycling was expaned to others items I was able to more to help. We use less water, set the temperature up or down a couple of degrees, bought thermal windows, and I’m looking for ideas every day.

I slowly learned more about what Climate Change looked like, large icebergs melting at record speed which has increased the water levels which has created flooding in areas is one example. Now when buying items, I think about how they may impact the environment and is the packaging recyclable.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are your daily habits?

My life has changed so much because I have several chronic illness and I don’t leave the house that often. So my habits are a bit boring. The first thing is start the fireplace in my office, give the dogs a snack, eat breakfast and hit the computer to work on my blog. After the writing is done I play with the dogs, if needed do laundry and eat lunch and take a short nap.

I do any chores I can, spend time for self-care, make calls and at 4:30 I join my husband downstairs. A short time later we start working on dinner, watch the news and two shows we’ve recorded and then I’m off to bed an hour before bedtime so I can unwind and be relaxed when it’s time to sleep.

Its not a habit but each week there a couple of doctor apptoinments.

My life is the opposite of life before Lyme, cognitive impairment and agrophobia.

I keep looking for brighter and more exciting days.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you practice self-care?

Self-care is critical to my mental health and I take time every day to take care of myself. It can be as simple as closing my computer and enjoying a candle. At night I have a relaxing routine which consist of laying down at least 45 minutes before bedtime to unwind, slather myself in body cream, use a roller ball with essential oils to use on my pulse points and turn on the ultrasonic diffuser with relaxing essential oil. I meditate to clear and head a shake off the stress and I relaxed come bedtime.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Family · Fun

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

There are several food items that remind me of childhood but the one that rises to the top is a multi-flavored snow cone. I can’t recall the last time I saw a snow cone truck or store but no doubt they are out there. I can still hear the music blaring from the snow cone truck, and running out to get my delcious treat.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Write about your first crush.

I don’t remembeer my first crush but do remember my crush at nine years old. We didn’t attend the same school so the only time we saw each other was on weekends at the skating rink. He was so cool and hade the greatest personality but I broke up with him because we both had braces and I was afraid of our braces getting caught in each others. He was totally cool about it, I mean how serious is a crush at nine years old.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

This is not a question I’ve thought about before, I like to keep looking outwards. The favorite thing about myself is the ability to get up after being knocked down, the strenght within has brought me a happy life.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you want to retire?

How I thought retirement would happen is the opposite of how it actually happened. My granny had two major strokes which caused Dementia and she became violent regularly. I made a promise to both of my grandparents that I would make sure they could die at home which was their wish. After the first stroke, I would come over to allow gramps to run errands. This worked until the day it all fell apart.

He was at the grocery store and she thought he had left her at somebody’s house and wasn’t coming back. There’s no understanding or logical times when dealing with Dementia. I took the photos off the walls of my gramps, my father, myself, and her long-dead favorite dogs, nothing would bring her back to reality. I had to give her a sedative and it broke my heart.

The only way to calm her and keep her from trying to hurt herself was for gramps to be there.

I was semi-retired at this point but my grampa needed me every day to help. The reality is, I would not change one thing. I showed up, gave all I could four weeks on end and I has able to keep my promise to her about dying at home.

Melinda

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Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe one of your favorite moments.

I’m blessed to have so many great memories thanks to my grandparents but one funny memory was with my gramps. He took me to the levee bottoms to teach me how to park, and he brought too big trash cans with him for me to practice with. With each attempt, I would knock a trashcan over, and gramps would patiently reset the can. After an hour we called it a day, I bet he prayed I would pass my test. I did pass but not with the highest score I’m sure.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What notable things happened today?

The greatest thing happened to me this morning, I woke up! Every day I wake is a blessed day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are you passionate about?

That’s a good question because there are times when my passion changes, like learning something new. My neverending passions are photography, my houseplants, traveling, and our dogs. As I’ve aged my passions are less adventuresome but I have the greatest memories of diving, hiking, and traveling internationally.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?

I’m blessed to have luxuries like good candles and a Lambswool throw but one luxury I can’t live without is the fireplace in my office. I use it every day year-round because I’m cold-natured. It can be 90 degrees outside and I’m in front of the fire with a sweatshirt on.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

The tagline on my blog was Keep Moving Forward and that describes my general thought process. If we don’t move forward we stop growing and become stagnant.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

When I was much younger, having a good life meant money and material things but those things did not make my life a good one. After turning 40 years old, I realized what is most important to me. Family tops the list followed by being kind, trustworthy, follow through on commitments, and being grateful for what I have.

I have a great life now instead of a shallow one.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Who do you spend the most time with?

My husband retired in April and we see each other all day but if you count the hours I probably spend more time with the dogs. It’s not always intentional, they think I’m a snack machine and come into my office asking for them throughout the day.

Our dogs are like children and they can be clingy.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Chocolate is a food group in our house, and I eat two squares daily. The ultimate chocolate bar would be dark, not too thick, all-natural, earth-friendly packaging and made in Switzerland or Belgium. I also like chocolate with hazelnuts, vanilla, and cashews.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

Man Search For Meaning

My psychology teacher gave me the book when I was 13 years old and I knew nothing about the holocaust or Hitler. The book was heartbreaking but the strength of Victor Frankel to survive through the worst conditions was a true inspiration.

The Bible

The answer is too long to share here. I loved reading about the birth of Christ, the journey Mary and Joshef took to find cover to have their baby, and the Shepard boy. The Bible shows how Jesus spread the word of Christianity and influenced life with his giving nature. He inspired the to go far and wide to spread the word, men were tortured, and imprisoned but they never gave up hope in Jesus. The Bible has been the most important book in my life.

I can’t recall the name but it was about Mary Magelane

The book was a different slant on Mary Madeline, it portrayed her as a poor woman with a mental illness and how she was treated by the public. Mary Madeline played a huge part in Jesus’s life and boy it made you think how some people have thought of her. I can not find the book today, I read it about 20 years ago.

Thank you for an depth question.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

I won’t say I have a green thumb but I do have close to 30 indoor plants that need care on a daily or weekly basis. I’ve also killed half as many while learning how to grow succulents. There are many flowers outside and two tomato beds which bring so much joy watching them grow. I also love watching the little grey lizards

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What quality do you value most in a friend?

For me, it’s a combination of qualities that build a solid friendship. Honesty and a shared confidence are critical to me. When I having a conversation it’s between us only unless we discuss other wise. Truth is the foundation of all relationships to me, I don’t have time for fake friends.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Do you practice religion?

My parents were not active in church when I was little, so I would ask different neighbors if I could go to church with them. I was baptized but felt no connection to a church. At 14 years old I converted to Catholicism and was active in the church for many years. I’ve realized that going to church doesn’t define my relationship with God. I practice religion directly with God.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

Boy, it’s interesting how age can make a difference in how you answer this question. To me having it all is not in material things however nice they are, it’s about loving ourselves and others, having a balanced life and finding joy each day.

Is it attainable?

You might not find joy every day but the foundation guides us through. God never said life was easy.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Who would you like to talk to soon?

I would love to talk with my granny for hours, asking all the questions that have come to mind after her death. I do talk with her but it’s a one-sided conversation for now but I know we’ll be together again.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

I have many sentimental items placed around the house that would sting if they were lost in a fire but the most dear items I have are the photos of my grandparents, their parents, and those of me and my husband. Losing those would be devastating yet in the big picture items are not what we need to survive.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Do you have any collections?

Yes, I have several collections:

Cameras

Books

Art

Antique furniture

Antique photos

Houseplants

I have more than I can enjoy in a week. The houseplants, probably up to 35 now, take dedicated time twice a week.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you balance work and home life?

I’m retired now but I remember how hard it was to have balance in life while working. In the early part of my career it was easy but as I reached closer to the top it was impossible for me, I didn’t have balance. That’s one of the rewards of retirement, ever day is balanced.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

Hello Tuesday! One improvement I am currently working on is spending more time outside with Mother Nature. The sunshine and fresh air helps my mental health for the entire day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

My story is about two people, my grandparents. In my teens, I was a wild child who struggled with addiction. After they won custody of me, I moved in the year before my gramps retired. Tough love, strict rules, and a positive environment changed my life. They loved me unconditionally and there’s no greater feeling.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is your career plan?

My career path is behind me, the focus now is a life plan. I was so happy to leave the stress and high heels behind.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

Without a doubt, it would be a test driver for high-end cars that go super fast. It’s not on my bucket list but is worthy. The downside is that I don’t know how to drive a standard and you won’t find those types of cars in an automatic.

Melinda

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
List the people you admire and look to for advice…

My Grandparents had learned so much in their lifespan, and I always sought their advice. My husband is my trusted partner for advice for close to 23 years, and the only person I’ve turned to since my Grandparents died.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

Christmas is my favorite holiday without a doubt. When I was little it was all about the gifts, now my focus is on Jesus Christ. Sure, gifts are nice but that is not why I celebrate.

Melinda

Looking for the Light