Friday Writings #247: Reframing Negative Concepts

Greetings, dear poets and storytellers.

Sometime back (okay… last week), someone introduced me to a group of people as “our beloved black queen of toxic positivity”. Since I knew said someone can’t stand me and was just trying to be nasty, while pretending to be funny (in front of individuals who didn’t know me), I smiled my biggest (and creepiest) smile, and said, “Oh, thank you! I’ve always thought of myself as a Cognitive Reframing Ninja, but I’ll take queen. And black looks so good on me.” 

What can I say? I do embrace Cognitive Reframing. I consider anything that helps me take something bad and morph it into something I can work with (without screaming) a blessing. This applies to situations, people, concepts… all sorts of things. For example, the last time my therapist asked me to use one word to describe how I felt about the next 6 months, I said, “Uncertain.” And that isn’t a bad thing. With uncertainty comes opportunities, new beginnings, possibilities, creative unknowns… 

With that idea in mind, I invite you to write poetry or prose, which takes a negative concept and turns it into something positive. 

Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. Let your entry be new or old. Write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Share your thoughts on their thoughts. 

next week: We’ll ask you to write about a type of noise, literal or metaphorical.

Friday Writings #242: Perspective

 

“Perspective is a choice.” 

I heard that phrase as I was getting off the train, on my way home from the immunologist’s office. I didn’t see the person who spoke the words, but the sentiment stuck to my skull. So, of course, my dear poets and storytellers, for today’s optional prompt, I must invite you to write poetry or prose which explores perspective. The concept has invaded my head, and I totally believe in spreading random philosophical incursions *cough*. 

As always, add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. Share old or new poetry or prose, write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Share your perspective on their contributions.

next week: We’ll invite you to write poetry or prose which includes numbers.

Friday Writings #240: Despair and Delight

Greetings, my dear poets and storytellers. How is life in your bit of the universe? Good, I hope. Around here, things are moving forward… s l o w l y. But they are moving, and that works for me. As long as there is some momentum, there is hope. Right? 

The last few weeks have been rough. In truth, this entire year has been more difficult than usual. But I think things might start getting back to some sort of normal. I started my garden (super late, but things are starting to bloom and fruit). The health procedures that had to be postponed because of my crappy immune system have been rescheduled. And if I’m very lucky (and I think I might be this time), my muse and I will be able to spend some quality time (writing and sharing) before the end of this month. 

Some of what’s coming will be hard on my flesh, but… oh, so very good for my spirit. I’m both dreading (the physical pain) and totally excited (about the upcoming soul boost). With the push and pull of those opposing feelings in mind, for today’s optional prompt, I invite you to write poetry and prose which explores despair and delight. 

As usual, add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. You may share old or new pieces. Write to the optional prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Share your thoughts on their words.

next week: We shall invite you to write poetry or prose about change.

Friday Writings #236: Of Gardening and Living and Such…

Today, I wanted to write/speak/read all about gardens and feels. But the air outside is thick with heat and smoke, so… my thoughts are on fire. I’m feeling terrible for Canada. So many flames. According to the weather forecast, Canada (and my bit of New York City) will be getting some rain this weekend and early next week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and my heart hopeful… for cleansing rain. 

While we wait/spell/pray for the cooling showers, my dear poets and storytellers, I invite you to find inspiration in one (or all) of the following quotes: 

“Gardening is not a rational act. Margaret Atwood

 “A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.” May Sarton 

“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.” Rudyard Kipling

 

Please add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant. 369 words maximum (excluding title). Let your poetry or prose be old or new, inspired by the prompt or by a topic of your choosing. Visit other contributors. Read their writings… Comment on their words… Wish for rain for those who need it… 

next week, We’ll invite you to return to a favorite Friday Writing prompt of the past. And if you already wrote for your chosen prompt, please write something new.

Friday Writings #233: “set another goal … dream a new dream”

Greetings, dear poets and storytellers. I hope you are doing as well as you possibly can, considering the whole world seems to be a bit of a mess. I’ve been in an introspective and more than slightly frustrated mood for the last few weeks. You see, I was supposed to be done with certain responsibilities the second week of March. Now March has come and gone… June is going the same way… So, it seems that I’ll be still on the hook until July (fingers crossed, right?).

I feel like I’m too late for everything this year: I’ve yet to start my garden or a new writing project originally scheduled for March. Medical treatments/procedures that were supposed to be done by the end of this month won’t even start until August (or September). I can’t interact on social media or my personal blog for at least another 2 weeks (maybe 3).

So, as you might suspect, I’m a tad irritated and a lot in my own head, thinking thoughts about time and deadlines and such… which brings me, to the reason behind today’s optional prompt: I invite you to find inspiration in the following quote, by C. S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Since I’ve been chanting these words like a mantra, I wish to see what you and your muse inks out of them.

As usual, add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. Let your entry be new or old. Write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Read the shapes of their ink… and share your thoughts.

next week: We’ll ask you to be inspired by one of these 3 artworks: 1. Repose, 2. Heart of the Andes, and/or 3. Shield with owl figure. If these offers don’t speak to your muse, we invite you to find something else HERE.

Friday Writings #229: Wonderful! Which No Longer Fits…

A couple of weeks ago, an old friend invited me to The Tulip Dig, an event that involves a bunch of New Yorkers digging up tulip bulbs from certain areas in Park Avenue. I declined—the stitches from my last surgeries were still fresh (and angry). Also, playing in dirt (fertilized with manure) is not the most intelligent of activities when one’s immune system is not 100% reliable (um… probably, not even 85%). Anyway, last week, a mutual friend of the “old friend” called me to ask about my depression, since they were told that “she (meaning moi) no longer enjoys the things she used to love doing. And everybody knows what that means.”

I’m not depressed (thank goodness). But after surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and more surgeries… my flesh and bones and immune system and I have never been quite the same. I’ve had to make a lot of changes, be selective about my priorities, and find fun replacements for many of the things I used to love (which my body and energy levels no longer accommodate well). I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Time, circumstances, location… and all sorts of things force us to change how we approach life and living. Right?

With that thought in mind, my dear poets and storytellers, for today’s optional prompt, I invite you to find inspiration in the idea of letting go of something that used to be wonderful, which no longer fits in your life. 

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Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. Share old or new pieces of poetry or prose, write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other contributors. Comment on their offerings.

next week, We shall invite to write about a time you surprised yourself.

Friday Writings #226: Inappropriate Laughter

Greetings, my dear poets and storytellers! 

How is life treating you in your bit of the universe? I hope things are as wonderful as they are for me in some ways (my immune system isn’t trying to kill me at the moment), and not even close to as horrible as they’ve been in other ways (I need more surgeries than prognosticated). It’s all about balance, right? And, if we’re lucky, also about a wee bit of decorum. I haven’t been all that fortunate in the decorum part. 

My latest bit of indignity involved puking all over a surgeon and then bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Which, of course, brought to mind today’s optional prompt: I invite you to write poetry or prose inspired by a moment of inappropriate laughter. Need an example? Here are 3: Raucous laughter at a funeral, giggling during a root canal, explosive cackles when a priest uses the phrase “friendly intercourse with your classmates might help”. 

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Please add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant. 369 words maximum (excluding title). Let your poetry or prose be old or new, inspired by the prompt or by a topic of your choosing. Visit other contributors. Read their writings… and comment. 

next week, we’ll invite you to be inspired by one of the following quotes (or any quote) from The Princess Bride: 1. “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” 2. “Mostly dead is slightly alive.” 3. “We are men of action, lies do not become us.” 4. “True love is the greatest thing in the world... except for a nice MLT—mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.” 

Friday Writings #225: If These Bookshelves Could Talk (or Write)

I love bookshelves, book piles, books leaning (interestingly) against unexpected places. I have 5 bookshelves in the room where I spend most of my time. I also have books on top of dressers, on windowsills, on plant stands, and pretty much everywhere I can get away with. I love looking at my books, dusting them, rearranging them, playing with them, pulling them out to smile at a particularly loved passage… 📚🥰 📚

So, my dear poets and storytellers, since I know I’m not the only one who LOVES spending time with a favorite bookshelf (or 13), for today’s optional prompt, I invite you to find inspiration on your bookshelves. Interpret this any way you like (take a picture, explore the titles, the arrangement of the books... and write on).

Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please. 369 words maximum. Share old or new poetry or prose, write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Share your thoughts on their words. 

next week, we shall invite you to write poetry or prose inspired by a moment of inappropriate laughter. Need an example? Here are 3: Raucous laughter at a funeral, giggling during a root canal, explosive cackles when a priest uses the phrase “friendly intercourse with your classmates might help”.

Friday Writings #218: The World Is Burning, But…

I am cranky, my dear poets and storytellers. Constant throbbing pain has that effect on me. Sometimes, my crankiness tries to get the better of me, nudges me to glare and bare my teeth at random people. Then I remind myself of the good things: My insurance pays for all these surgeries, my body and mind can withstand the physical trauma and mental stress, my spouse adores me, spring will be here soon (and I’ll get to garden!), I have excellent friends, I’m not alone… 

Those thoughts brewed today’s optional prompt: please, share poetry or prose which includes the following phrase: “the world is burning, but…” 

“Phoenix Pine Cones Rise from the Ashes of Forest Fire” 
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Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant. 369 words maximum. Share old or new pieces. Write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing. Visit other writers. Comment on the wonders they ink into the world. 

next week, we’ll invite you to find inspiration in the phrase, “looking back”.