Tag: dailyprompt

Habits, disciplines and more

What are your daily habits?

So, if habits are regular are they also routine? Then, would a routine habit be more or less? A habit, for me, something that I do, at times with no prompting. It is just the way for me.

Seems like every day starts and ends with an almost 100% certainty. It is easier to have habits for the start of the day and the end of the day. The time between these two markers may be as broad as the ice cream selection at the local grocery store.

Morning habits:

  • Glasses to let me see.
  • Light on.
  • Make bed. (After all it is the first task completion of the day. See Admiral William H. McRaven’s book, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … And Maybe The World.)
  • Open blinds. This part will be closely connected to sunrise. May vary due to latitude and longitude. Also influenced by yearly calendar, orbit of the Earth.
  • Mindfulness time. Time of meditation and prayer.

That is the habit of the start of the day. Breakfast is from the pantry and/or refrigerator. Clothes will depend on the emphasis for the day. Yard work does not need suit and bow tie, but jeans, shoes and socks, shirt and based on temperature and UV index, hat and sunscreen.

Show up, stand up and speak out

What topics do you like to discuss?

Never could understand why some topics are avoided because.… if it is avoided or ignored, it isn’t real… Not wanting to hear another, perhaps contrary voice to theirs. I know that there is always a context that may effect understanding and comprehension; there may be a “better” time, place and location. Then, there are some who will be quiet because of their desire not to hurt anyone.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Knowing it’s time

How do you manage screen time for yourself?

Sometimes, the best thing I can do comma is simply turn things off. It’s so easy to lose track of time. Reading posts, writing updates, and seeking connection when there is no connection available.

If I’m looking for answers and nothing comes to mind, it’s time to turn things off. If I’m posting on social media and no one responds, it’s time to find conversation elsewhere. If my first reaction to a post that may be unsettling, is to post something stronger, and personal, it’s time to step back.

Managing my screen time will always be an important thing. Sometimes I manage the time, and other times the interaction manages me.

Freedom

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

Border between East and West Germany 1985

Thirty-five years ago, the “WALL” started to come down, dividing West Germany and the DDR. People were given the opportunity to be “free” for the first time since the WALL went up in 1961. East Berlin looked oppressive and foreboding … dark and dreary. There was little on the shelves of the markets, and what was there was extremely expensive (as memory serves). Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion were new ideas for a generation.

Today some have an alternative truth of freedom. When I took this long ago, having the freedom of speech, of assembly, of religion were so interwoven in me that I cherished them. Protecting them from those who would debase them was a duty. Allowing them to be destroyed or withheld for sectarian motives was not part of life.

Now it has slithered into this present time.

Where is the watchman on the wall? How do we value the freedoms?

Not about me

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all drop one word from our vocabulary? Wouldn’t it be nice if the word we stop using focus on us, ourselves, and excludes others? The word me focuses everything on what I want what I need what I do. This is a very personal, almost narcissistic word. The word me is a very self-centered view of the world.

Using the word we creates a more inclusive and welcoming feeling.

The words we use are important, and must be chosen carefully.