Life + Writing Prompts Vol.I

It's May 5th, Cinco de Mayo and well, the good number five happens to be one of my favorite numbers.  Through my stream of consciousness on twitter, I realized I needed to do something leading up to my birthday.  I'm still figuring out what post I want to write about turning 40.  If you happen to have suggestions for something you'd like to read, let me know.  I'm open.  It's a community.  I'm considering a post featuring 10 memorable moments and then the 30 I'm looking forward to experiencing.  Believe it or not, I have more to do on my bucket list than I've actually accomplished.  

It's a "get busy living or get busy dying kind of year."  A year that has me in reflection about the people and the moments that mean the most to me - and how to get more of those moments.  How do I spend more time with them?  How do I spend, create, invite more moments that leave me feeling thankful to be alive?  What are the components of those?  Real talk, I've worked some of it out but if there's anything else I've learned it's that I have fewer answers and more gray areas. 

In celebration of the coming day, I decided I would create a series of eight (8) blog posts with five (5) life + writing prompts.  I added the life prompts because while it's cute to talk about writing and actually write, it's also cute to do things - actual things that make you pull away from the computer or the phone and live.  In other words, creating memories and actually living life in real time and not just tweeting, texting and watching what others are doing in real time.  

Some of these prompts may not be things you want to share on social media or anywhere publicly.  Maybe these are answers, thoughts, mind maps for your journal and that's great.  The main thing is to take the time and at least think about a few things, jot some notes down. Although I rely on my phone to take notes, I've been crazy productive sitting down and writing long hand these days.  It means I can draw, I don't have to do things in a straight line if I don't want to, I can circle things and insert "yassssssssssssss" on the corners of the words I didn't know I could write that bless me later. My suggestion is to write whenever you feel most connected to your creativity.  Whether it's morning, evening or somewhere in between.  

Life + Writing Prompts Vol. I

1.  I've long considered my legacy.  Legacy doesn't mean you have to change the lives of millions (immediately).  Sometimes it's just helping the people who are closest to you and being an inspiration.  What you do for one has the power to influence the world. Let's think about your position as it relates to the here and now. What is your desired legacy? In other words, what mark would you like to leave on the world?  How would you like to bless the world?  How will you leave it better?

2. Are you still dreaming or have you put them away?  Are there dreams you hoped to accomplish that you've tucked away?  Is it that you no longer want to do them or is it you think you can't do them?   Is there something else that replaced it?

3. Choose a photo you've taken (via phone or camera) and write why it means so much to you. Is it the time and place? Is it the people? The sentiment?

4. Life prompt: print out two (2) photos you've taken that inspire you.  If you've not taken any, this is your chance to find something positive, beautiful and encouraging and post it somewhere visible to inspire you.  You can print your photos through Walgreens.  Even if you'd prefer to use your instagram account, you can do that too and upload to Walgreens or order prints through printstagr.am.  You can even choose to post these photos in a small journal you're working through and write and mindmap around them.

5. Life prompt: Write one letter or send a card to someone you love dearly. Did you realize you don't know their mailing address? Here's your moment to ask them and send something good to them. If you're feeling frisky include stationary with a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) to encourage them to reply back. Even if the person is someone you speak to often if not daily, it's always nice to receive something special in the mail.  If you'd like to turn it into a gift package with a journal, candle, etc then by all means do that too - just be sure to mail it. 

This is the first volume of the prompts.  You're welcome to stack and store them as something for inspiration later.  We can all use more of that right?  Also, don't forget to sign up via the homepage for updates from me.  Just click on the link here and click *mailing list.  Keep me posted on how things are working out as you're working on the prompts.  

xoxox

May Clarity

Happy May! 

There was something in the air this morning when I woke up.  I was slow to get out of bed, slow to leave the house and then as I was getting dressed, this wave of sheer contentment, gratitude and knowing fell over me.  

I don't know how to explain it other than a sort of euphoria - a contentment for the people and the events in my life as things stand right now.  

My birthday isn't until the end of the month, but in a historical sense I begin to celebrate at the beginning of the month. Why wait?

I've been talking with many women over the last few months about what it meant to turn 40. The thing I'm hearing collectively is that it's an important time.  It's a time for things to be clearer for you.  Directions and paths become clear.  It's a time to make important decisions that govern the next part of our lives.   I can say there's been something happening from the inside out over this last year.  I can feel the change, my friends and loved ones can see the change.  

Some of the changes have shocked me.  However, they've all been amazing.  From the way I've handled situations, to the letting go of dreams that don't serve me any longer and learning when to speak up and when to shut up.  From realizing I have the courage to face certain challenges to understanding that I have the ability to save myself. 

It's my job to save myself and I've fully capable of it.  You are too.  

Reality is, there's a lot that we don't have any control over.  We DO have control over ourselves, our decisions, our reactions and the things we need to do in order to make our lives better overall.  We have the ability to decide to choose ourselves.  We have the ability to forgive ourselves and move forward knowing we deserve to have the best life possible. 

When I woke up this morning, amidst the initial fog there was pure clarity.  There was certainty that things were on track and that I was exactly where I needed to be.  That while I feel like I know far less at this point in life, I'm more sure of myself.  I'm certain that there are good things ahead.  That God is with me and there's an exciting path ahead.  

At this start of May, I pray God blesses you and gives you clarity on the things that haven't yet been settled in your heart.

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Hidden Roads + Time

As the Divine would have it, I was riding along in Maryland when I came across railroad tracks. Hidden railroad tracks.  Railroad tracks built on old rails.  Tracks that no longer have a starting point or an end point.  What you can't see is they are about 25 feet in the air.  There's a parkway on the other side of them.   They rest in the backyard of million dollar properties, fenced off and likely forgotten.   I've purposely left it crooked and unadjusted.  I have this thing about editing photos.  I actually don't like it.  I mean sure I'd love to Photoshop out my fat rolls from time to time and well, there's color correction.  But what you're seeing is what happens when a girl sees hidden railroad tracks, parks and then has to discover which path is the safest one in order to photograph said tracks. In other words, y'all are gonna enjoy this good crooked photo. 

I enjoyed getting back there.  They're actually fenced off and while I could've likely entered the cordoned off area, I realized I was competing with wood that was more than 100 years old and well, it's not the best use of my time and efforts making an attempt to stand on them.

Every time I photograph railroad tracks and paths, I can't stop thinking about destination, destiny, direction, path and the use of my time.  Time time time.  How we spend it. The choices we make.  Who we spend our time with.  The pursuits and endeavors.  The legacy we want to leave.  The sunsets.  The rides down the road.  The love we offer. The trips we take.  The comfort and help we extend.  The moments we miss when we're focused on the wrong things.  The opportunities gained and lost.  The relationships held together and lost.  So much - and it often comes down to time and what + how much we choose to allocate and put in order.   

There are many important things and decision on the rise and a shit ton of work ahead.  I'm up for it.  However, there's always a manner of deciding the order of business.  Who's most important? What's most important? What's urgent?   It seems to ebb and flow.  There's not always a right answer - there's often a right answer at that time and one that may better suit us in the future.  I'm not just deciding any longer for the current moment.  There are decisions to be made for my future self.  

You see.... in about five hours the year will turn to May.  It's my month.  I've historically celebrated all month every year as an adult.  I figure why wait?  This year happens to be a bit different only because it's a "zero" year and that means change.  I don't remember the 20th and Lord knows at the 30th I can't exactly remember but this 40th?  It'll be documented.  

I've been feeling quiet lately and the need to move quietly as I make decisions.  As I've said before, it's the private moments no one else can see that forges your character and Spirit.  As I roll into the month, I'll be posting here and there all leading up to a post on my birthday at the end of the month.  In the meantime, there's work to be done.  Lists are being refined and moves are being measured twice and cut once.  If you've been reading here, stay with me.   I recently updated a few things and you can head over to the front page of the blog and click on mailing list and you'll see updates from the blog and possibly even the occasional newsletter - in your inbox! Magic and shit.  I look forward to sharing this next leg of the journey with you. 

With Love, 

Rae