Today’s #MindfulnessMonday
Tip: Don’t take mindfulness to seriously… It
isn’t a competition of who can be more mindful. It is
about being present in the moment and enjoying life as it comes.
Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video to discover a secret about mindfulness. You can check out the video by clicking HERE!
Reading
is a huge part of our daily lives. So much so that we often take it for granted.
from text messages to emails to social media posts we are constantly staring at
our phones, tables, computers and other devises. Find some time during the day when
you can put down your electronic devises and focus on reading something
in print… a book, a magazine, a newspaper (yes, they still print those). Allow
yourself 5-10 minutes each day, when you can let go of all your other
responsibilities to just get lost in the written word. You just might find that
10 minutes turns into 20 and 20 turns in to 30. I will warn you, there are some
side effects to quiet reading which include…
Getting lost in a book and becoming attached
to the characters you meet,
Choose a poem you like and read through it very slowly. If you don’t have a favorite poem, do a google search for popular poetry or ask your Google Home, iPhone Siri, Alexa, or other smart device to tell you a poem about nature.
What do you like most about it? What images does
it conjure up for you? What do you think about the words the poet chose to use?
Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, if you are willing to share your experiences with me and my readers, I would love to invite you to comment below and let me know what poem you selected and how it made you feel.
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Check out
my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you
never miss an episode!
I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.
Remember,
#WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.
Read the
writing prompt below,
Spend 5
minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever
comes to mind,
DON’T
EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!
The goal
is 5 minutes of creativity.
Today I am writing as if I were writing in the voice of
Molly, a character in a children’s book I’ve started.
Today’s writing prompt:
You are a children’s book writer. Write the first few lines of your new book.
Hi, I’m Molly. I’m eight,
so I know a lot about the world. My little brother, he’s only six, he doesn’t
know very much at all. That’s why I have to teach him. Mom says to be patient;
he will learn as he gets older. I try, I really REALLY do, but it’s hard. When we’re
in the woods and the Droplops come out, he doesn’t understand that he has to
run away. He thinks it’s funny when their drool and slobber lands on him and makes
him all wet and sticky. To be honest, I don’t even think he sees the Droplops.
If he did, he wouldn’t laugh. He’d probably run away, screaming and crying.
There was this one
time, I was up in my treehouse and Timmy came out and was climbing up the ladder
calling for me, “Molly,” he yelled. “Molly, open the hatch. I want to come in.”
I was trying to be
really quiet, so he would think I wasn’t there and he would go back inside. It
didn’t work. I think my mom told him I was up there. Finally, I had to just let
him in.
So, we were sitting
in the treehouse and I had the windows open. They aren’t real windows, like in
a house-house. They don’t have glass or anything, but my dad did put shutters
on them so I could open and close them. Anyway, the shutters were open and I
was staring out at the sky across the field and the clouds were getting really
dark. I told Timmy we needed to go back in the house because the Droplops were
coming.
He just laughed. He
actually laughed.
I wasn’t going to
stick around. I climbed down the ladder and told Timmy to come with me. I knew
he would because he wasn’t allowed to be up in my treehouse without me.
As I was running back
to the house, a huge glob of Droplop slobber landed on my forehead. I wiped it
off with the back of my hand and turned back to see where Timmy was, but he
wasn’t there. The only thing I could see was the tall, slime covered Droplop
standing next to my treehouse, reaching in through the window with his big
green arm. I could hear Timmy, still up in the treehouse, but I had no way to
get to him. The ladder was blocked and if I tried to climb the tree, the
Droplop would see me.
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
You are a children’s book writer. Write the first few lines of your new book.
* * * * *
Would you like more sources for daily writing prompts? Click on the links below for great writing prompt journals I think you’ll really love!
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This collection of 642 outrageous and witty writing prompts will get the creative juices flowing in no time. From crafting your own obituary to penning an ode to an onion, each page of this playful journal invites inspiration and provides plenty of space to write. Brimming with entertaining exercises from the literary minds of the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto, this is the ultimate gift for scribes of every stripe. CLICK TO LEARN MORE!
Today is the Eleventh Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!
Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.
• Read the writing prompt below, • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind, • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!
The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.
Today I am writing in the voice of Sophie, one of the characters in my upcoming novel The Beast Within (This is not a selection from the novel, but part of my character development journal.)
Today’s writing prompt:
What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?
Will you marry me? He was my college sweetheart…my high school sweetheart really. We had been together, off and on, for eight years. He hadn’t asked me, so I did it. I said those four little words and changed my life forever.
Will you marry me? He said yes and two months later, we eloped. My mother was devastated. I’m not really sure his mom even cared, they didn’t have the best of relationships. That probably should have been my first clue.
Will you marry me? It was like I had flipped a switch, turned the lights out, released the beast. That’s what he was, a beast…a brut…a monster. He didn’t hurt me, not physically. Mental abuse is different. You can’t see the effects, not on the surface, but they’re there. They might be deep down. You might be able to hide them from the rest of the world, but they are there. You feel them in your gut. You see them staring back at you every time you look in the mirror. You can’t erase them, not with a bath or even a hot shower. Putting on a new dress can’t make you feel pretty, not when the one person who is supposed to love you has drilled into your very soul that you are nothing.
Will you marry me? I wish he had just said no. I wish he had chosen someone else. I wish he had loved me just a little… loved me enough to leave me.
Will you marry me? It was the stupidest question I could have ever asked.
Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?
As promised, today is the first edition of #WritingWednesday!!!
#WritingWednesday is an easy, stress-free, writing exercise. Or if you prefer, we can call it a weekly writing challenge! All you have to do is read the writing prompt below and then spend 5 minutes writing. Don’t edit yourself as you go! Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, etc. You can choose to respond to the question/writing prompt literally or you can respond through the voice of a character you are currently writing. Remember, it is important that this be a stress-free activity. So, DON’T EDIT yourself as you write. The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!!!
Today, I’ve elected to write in the voice of Sophie, a character from the manuscript I am currently working on, The Beast Within!
Today’s writing prompt:
What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?
Saturday, just another day spent at home alone. I’d go out, but the streets of Seattle haven’t been all that safe lately. With three murders in less than four months, all within walking distance of my apartment, I’ve taken to staying home with the doors securely locked.
I can hear Ms. Jenkins banging around in her kitchen next door and wonder if she realizes how thin the walls really are. Then the smells hit me, she’s cooking spaghetti. Not the kind of spaghetti you get from a jar either, this is the real deal. I haven’t had a home cooked meal like that since I left Alabama and my stomach starts to rumble.
knock–knock–knock.
I wasn’t expecting any visitors, but Kim, my only friend, didn’t have the same reservations about going out that I had. She had lived in Seattle a lot longer than me and she happily walked the mile from her place to mine, on a regular basis, day or night.
“What are you doing?” Kim asked, as she pushed her way around me and into my small one-bedroom apartment.
“Just working…” I said, a bit hesitant. Kim wasn’t just a friend, she was also my boss and although I loved my job down at her shop, what I really wanted to do was programing. That’s the other reason I spend all my extra time locked up in my apartment, a slave to my laptop and the crazy world-building game I’ve been developing.
* * * * *
Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
Do you ever just feel creatively stifled? I know I do, and I’m pretty sure most writers… and artists go through this from time to time. Over the years, I’ve learned that writing prompts can often help to get my creative juices flowing. With that in mind, and my desire to boost other’s creativity, I’ve decided to launch a new weekly post #WritingWednesday!
#WritingWednesday – In this weekly post, starting January 30th, I will be sharing a weekly writing prompt. Of course, if you want to share in the comments what you write, I would love to read what the writing prompt inspires in you. If you prefer to keep your writing private, I hope you will use the prompts to help boost your creativity and push you toward more active writing.
He stood in the doorway, back against the cold brick wall, hidden by the dark shadows of the night. The rain poured down in sheets, but with his keen hearing he heard every drip… every drop… every splash as if the goddesses were playing a beautiful symphony just for him. He waited patiently until finally from across the street he saw her step out of her door.
She pulled the umbrella over her head, to shield herself from the rain. As the street light softly lit her face he could see the bruise covering her left cheek and the tears pouring from her eyes. It took less than a second and he was across the street and through the door before it closed behind her. All she felt was a cool gust of wind as he passed. Then she continued on her way.
Once inside, he didn’t give him time to react. Grabbing him off the couch and smashing the liquor bottle he was sucking down over his head the went down easily. He could hear through the thin walls of the old building the little old woman next door phoning the police. He knew he had to act fast and finish what he had started, but he wasn’t worried about being caught.
With his teeth like blades he bit easily into the drunk man’s neck and drained him quickly. Wiping the blood from his chin he stepped back into the rain. For only a moment he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He could smell her… sense her… feel her. Hearing the sirens approaching in the distance he took off down the road, turning right… then left following his instincts and his heart.
Her trail ended in a dark alley between two old abandoned factory buildings. He was confused… Worried for her safety… He had never lost her scent before. He had never been more than a stone’s throw away from her and he always made sure he could see and hear her at all times. He was like her guardian angel from a far… If guardian angels killed.
Although he knew he could never hold her… feel her touch… or taste her lips he would always protect her and in his heart and soul he would always love her. His heart, though it no longer beats, would always long for her and his soul, though condemned to walk alone, would always belong to her.
Falling to his knees he cried out in pain.
He searched for days covering every inch of the two buildings and the property. When he finally gave up and stood in the shadows silent and alone he turned to leave. But then, a feeling came over him… Her scent… Her touch… She was there! Something was different… He couldn’t hear the beat of her heart. He turned and in seconds her body was against his.
Her lips so close to his that he could taste her breath… Her hand softly ran down his arm, and she leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “It has always been you.” He took her in his arms grabbing her tightly… passionately… not willing to let go, and he kissed her hard with everything he had.
Torn between good and evil… heaven and hell! His heart pulls him closer and closer toward the forbidden angel. Her beauty strikes like a knife deep into his heart. He longs to be with her, but knows it shall never be. He forces his hand and strikes back. Attack… Attack… Attack… It’s easier now to go into the dark. Follow the light from hell’s burning flames.
Alone in the dark he finds his soul shattered and torn apart. He is tormented by his love for this angelic beauty and his propensity to destroy everything and everyone around him. The fight inside him grows until he can no longer stand it. He runs into the night searching for anything he can sink his teeth into. As he turns the corner there she is…
Not quite as beautiful or as sweet, but she would do to ease his pain. From behind he moves like a ghost, not making a sound. With hands of fire and ice he scoops her up and is out of sight in seconds. Under the cover of the willow trees he looks deep into her eyes calling to her fear to show itself. She screams!
A grin appears on his face showing his fangs like blades. He sinks them deep into her throat and drains her as her breath slows and her screams stop. His thirst is gone, but still he longs for the lovely angel he cannot have.
She sat alone at the end of the hotel bar. Her lips as red as blood sparkled as she licked off the last drop of her vodka martini – extra dry. She looked around the dimly lit room and her dark hair glistened under the blue lights. Her deep brown eyes focused on her potential mates. Tall… Short… Thin… Large… Balding…
No one caught her eye. To the casual observer she would seem out-of-place in her skin-tight black dress and her thigh-high black boots. But she waited…
After about an hour as the bartender was bringing her last drink of the night she noticed a man seated at the opposite end of the bar. She hadn’t noticed him come in. It was as if he had appeared out of nowhere. Dressed in all black he stood out from the men and women around the room. His hair was perfect not a single piece out-of-place. His body was as tight as a board and she felt a strong desire to run her hands across his chest.
Silently, she waited for the right moment, she watched him from the corner of her eye. His eyes seemed to glow with an amber fire. His chin was that of a statue chiseled from stone. Women approached him eager for his attention, but he brushed them aside uninterested in their flirtatious conversations, and their drunken seductions. Every now and then he glanced at the beauty at the other end of the bar.
She just looked back showing no emotion… no care… All the while inside her heart was pounding in her chest… A rush of life was flowing throughout her body… Excitement made her want to run to him… Desire kept her where she was. There was something different and new about him. The way he talked… The way he moved… The way the whole room seemed centered on his energy.
The bar was about to close and all but maybe a handful of patrons had gone off to their rooms to sleep. She slowly sipped the last drop from her glass and popped the olive into her mouth, licking her finger clean as she glanced again to the other end of the bar.
But he was gone… She didn’t know where… She hadn’t seen him move… And no one else seemed to have noticed. Disappointed she slipped down from her bar stool, and threw her wrap around her shoulders.
Alone in the elevator she pressed the button for the penthouse suite, and as the doors closed she could feel someone slowly running their hand down her back. Scared and excited… She didn’t move. As he gently took her hand in his she turned to see his handsome face, and his amber eyes staring directly into hers. It felt like he was looking right through her and into her soul… Reading everything there was to know about her.
She took a step and closed the gap between them as he ran his fingers down her cheek and around the back of her neck. Her lips fell slightly open, she could almost taste him. He stopped the elevator as he pulled her body against his own. Every inch of her skin was tingling with excitement from his touch. Without warning he turned with her in his grasp… With her back against the wall and his body holding her in place she couldn’t move… Couldn’t scream – even if she had wanted to, but she didn’t.
His right hand slowly caressed her left thigh moving her dress up. He lifted her as she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. She could feel his arousal as he touched her body. Warm and wet she wanted… Needed… Craved what she knew was about to happen. Then without warning his lips turned up and a wicked smile formed on this face unveiling fangs as white as snow and as sharp as blades.
She didn’t move, but smiled instead. And as quick as the lightning in the sky she pulled a sharp wooden stake out from under her dress where it had been strapped to the inside if her thigh all along. As he grabbed her neck and his teeth sank into her smooth flesh she plunged the stake through his back and deep into his heart. He drank from her… Trying to find a way to survive, yet knowing there was no chance.
His grip loosened and she slid her legs down and placed her feet back on the ground. His lifeless body slowly sank to the floor and turned to ash. She stood up casually wiped off her dress and pushed the penthouse button again. As the doors slowly opened she steps over his ashes and into the room. “It’s taken care of master. Anything else I can do for you?”
A tall muscular man more handsome than any mere human could dream to be, walked over to her and took her in his arms, “You have done well my dear. Now you must rest.” he kissed her softly on the hand and held her close as they disappeared deeper into the room.
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Nina Soden 