May 30, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes strawberries and mint. The combination evokes color contrast, scents, and taste. Where will the combination take you? Go where the prompt leads!
Pimm’s O’Clock
Right.
I’ve laid all the components out.
A jug. Glasses. The lemonade is chilled and ready. Succulent red strawberries just waiting for me to slice them. A firm, green cucumber, already transformed into slices, then quartered. A big, juicy orange chopped into little triangles; peel still attached. Ice. Lots of cool, refreshing ice. Fresh, minty leaves. And that beautiful bottle of fruity gin liqueur.
I slowly pour in the alcohol, and add the lemonade, watching the bubbles fizz up. A big handful of ice, then the assorted fruits. Just a few leaves of mint. Perfect.
“It’s no good, you know.” “What?” “Sitting there, moping.” “I’m not.” “Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes.” “What? What can you see?” “Yearning.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “It’s not coming back, son.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about Dad.” “That boat. It was a most splendid boat. But it’s gone now…” “It took me hours to fold it, Dad. I wanted to make the best paper boat ever.” “I know. But it was exactly that. Paper. Once it hits the water, it begins to disintegrate. It’s not coming back now. Nevermind. You can make another.” “Yeah, and this time, I’m not sailing it!”
So, my blog sis, Erika, shared this lovely challenge which was brought to her attention by our friend, Rob, who invited his readers to participate.
An opportunity to celebrate yourself in a positive light. Something definitely worth doing, in this world that can be filled with negativity most of the time.
The ‘Ten Positive Things’ Challenge comes from Bipolar Whispers who writes:
“I tend to see things negatively when it comes to myself. So I thought I would challenge myself. In doing so I am also challenging you. Yes YOU! The readers of my blog. I want you to write 10 positive things about you that have nothing to do with any of your mental health issues. Post them on your blog and link the link in the comments. “
Bipolar Whispers
Ten Positive Things About Me
If you see me, you are guaranteed a smile. That is one thing I will promise you. For me a genuine smile is the most simple, yet effective greeting. It opens up the world to you.
I talk. A lot. now, some might not think this is positive, but for me, my habit of chatting away to so many different people, has opened up a world of possibility. A way to reach into the lifes of people who aren’t in my usual circle. I learn so much whenever I talk to new people. Words are comfort to those we know too. I hope, I provide comfort to those I speak too. And knowledge. I should. I am a teacher after all!
I see life as a glass half full. Yes, I pride myself on being that person who will always attempt to find the positives in any situation, and will suggest solutions to make the best of a not so good situation. It makes life much easier to handle, if you can imagine the positive outcomes, instead of focussing on the negative.
I find pleasure in food. Yes, I know I constantly moan about losing weight, but I find immense pleasure in food too! It doesn’t have to be unhealthy to be appealling, and I love to create beautiful plates of food to entice, not only my tastebuds, but those of my family too.
There’s always a song. Yes, I love to sing, and I can find a song, or even make up a refrain to sing along to, to keep my happy levels up. The amount of times I have broken the tension, especially with my hormonal kids, by singing something appropriately inappropriate, leaving an awkward situation becoming more amenable, I can’t count!
I believe in myself. Sounds simple, but its actually something many of us can’t do. Instead of focussing on the strength within, many of us hone in on the doubts. Don’t do it! I have slowly got to a place in my life where I am happy, and I am on the road to achieving what I really want. It all helps to keep me positive, because I know I can do it. If I don’t know that, about myself, how could I achieve anything?
Finally, I am following my dreams. It took time to get to the stage in life where I don’t always focus on others. But now, here I am, teaching a class of children, which was one of my first dreams, author of one published poetry book, and editing what I hope know will be my first published novel!
I have the best support network and I appreciate them all every day. Family, friends, colleagues. Their attitudes and advice help to shape me and give me the strenght to be as positive as I am. I am my no means a person with my head stuck in the sand. I know bad things happen, but with the right scaffolding around me, I know I can always get through anything.
I find beauty in everything. From the flowers in my garden, to the clouds in the sky, the pitter patter of raindrops to the rustling of leaves. and not jsut nature. In the words I read, the lyrics I listen to, the sights I see in life, the smells I take in, the tastes that pevade my mouth when trying new things (apart from Tonic water.. no thank you, no beauty there!) there is beauty everywhere, and finding that beauty helps me feel positive every day.
I love me. I am not stating this in a really pompous way, but it is just a statement to let you know I have accepted myself for who I am, faults and all, and because I know I’m generally a pretty alright sort, decent human being, and happy, it’s safe to say I love who I am. I am comfortable in my skin, with my thoughts and with my attitude to life.
Appreciate your life every day, you’ll be able to think positively, much easier too!
Anyone up for positivizing their life? (Yes I made up another word…), I urge you to dig deep and find those 10 things that show a positive you. find them, write them down, post them, and celebrate them. Then, on those down days, read it again and remember you are fantastic, because you are YOU!
Thanks so much to Tanmay Jain for including me in this collaboration and it’s the turn of Nideesh Samant, with the final prompt of the month.
Prompt – A standard corporate boardroom meeting is underway, but the boss has hidden motives…
Boardroom Manoeuvres
The boardroom was like an oven. It had been a long meeting, and it was about time to wrap it up. Clive Burnett, the Managing Director, cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Ahem, right, thank you. That has been a productive meeting, and I’ll be sure to get Mandy to send the minutes out to you all tomorrow. Oh, and one final thing. There appears to be a glitch in the system, and it seems to have muddled up everyone’s contact numbers. I need you all to write your names and your contact numbers on this piece of paper.” “But Mr Burnett, don’t you have our numbers on your own phone anyway?” Dennis piped up. There’s always one, trying to be clever. “Actually, my phone syncs to the system, and I can’t get any of the numbers either. It’s a simple fix, but we just need them all, now, from you, so the system can be corrected. Everyone in the room, please.” The paper was passed around, with some of the attendees rolling their eyes as they scribbled down digits. The paper made its way back to him. “Thank you everyone. I’ll give this to IT and get it sorted ASAP. Thanks again and good evening.” Clive smiled. He folded the paper and pocketed it. Good job he was the MD and no one questioned him too much. He’d been dying to ask that new girl Alisha for her number, but GDPR meant HR wouldn’t give it to him…
But I Smile Anyway... 