Daily Prompt Archives - INSPIRING MAX

World Kindness Day

November 14, 2014November 14, 2014 inspiringmax

Our ten-minute free-write is back for another round! Tap away on whatever comes to mind, no filters attached.

November 13 is World Kindness Day. This day focuses on acts of kindness in the community and helps breakdown barriers such as religion, sex, race, age and demographics. To join people together, making the world and our community more connected and a happier place.

Random acts of kindness, part of World Kindness Day are encouraged everyday, not just November 13. Some people are easier to be kind to than other. However, it is often those that are the hardest to be kind to—that need our kindness the most. Where possible choose to be kind to these people. A simple smile or hello can start to break down barriers and help develop opportunities for further act of kindness.

When working on being kind to others, I believe it is important to remember to be kind to ourself. Many people would never criticise or treat others the way they treat themselves. Make World Kindness Day a starting point to prioritising kindness—for others and ourselves.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Photo Credit: Google Images

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-6/

Taking Control

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 inspiringmax

Today you can write about anything, in whatever genre or form, but your post must include a speeding car, a phone call, and a crisp, bright morning.

It was one of those days. Everything that could go wrong—was going wrong. I found my mind wandering off, thinking of ways I could make my day stop. At present I was not in control. Then it happened.

The passing policeman turned on his flashing lights—indicating for me to pull over. Oh no! He had noticed my speeding car. Just what I needed. After being given my ticket—I decide to change my day.

Instead of driving off, I made a plan. Continuing to think ahead was not helping. I needed to centre myself. Meditation was my answer. Clear my mind, breathe deeply and stop the chaos in my head. I needed to be in control rather than my world controlling me—and giving me speeding tickets.

I changed my day around. Fortunately, my girlfriend answered my phone call and was available for an urgent coffee. Having a chat relieved my stress and energised me. That half an hour solidified my day’s plan—making the remainder of my day busy, but taking time out worked. I prioritised my day and as a result, I was reaping the rewards.

At the end of the day, I had achieved everything I needed and more. Because I took the time to focus on controlling my mind. So for now—tomorrow is another day. Hopefully, it will start with a crisp, bright morning as I would love a walk on the beach.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/trio-4/

Daily Prompt: Yoda

November 7, 2014 inspiringmax

Someone or something you can’t communicate with through writing (a baby, a pet, an object) can understand every single word you write today, for one day only. What do you tell them?

Yoda we loved you—although I am sure that today is not the only we have been able to communicate with you. You can into our life after the tragic loss of your first owner. You settle in and seemed to know the rules very quickly— as if they were unsaid.

Your original name was Black Kid, but that was too hard for us simple folk so we changed it to Blackie—not for long. You were always so wise and there when we needed you. You had a way about you that was welcoming and even non-cat people liked you. Not long after joining our family, one of the children decided you looked like a wise old man, so your name was instantly changed to Yoda. You answered immediately and your personality developed more.

My daughter loved you so much she thought you were her baby and together with my husband, they bought you a high chair to eat off on special occasions. Being a loving cat, you played the game—which made your mummy very happy. You never tried to eat off any other table as if you knew this one was special for you.

As the least cat friendly person in the house you snuggled up to me and entered my heart without me even realising. It would annoy the others that if I sat in my chair, you would come, sit on me and stay for hours in the one position—leaving me to read and them to do the housework. Thank you. After all, the rule was that they wouldn’t move the settled cat because he looked so cute. They were very jealous that you never sat on them—I loved our special snuggles.

The one thing I wasn’t so keen on was you trying to help me write by sitting on my lap while I was on the computer. I tried to work with you but it didn’t work. I loved the fact that you wanted to help me and that you wanted to be a part of the family and were always around not hiding.

Thank you coming and sharing our life. Unfortunately when you came to us you were an older cat so your time with us was short. We miss you every day but we love to continue to seek your guidance in from your special place in the front garden watching over your friends in the street.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/literate-today/

Daily Prompt: Survive

November 3, 2014 inspiringmax

What’s the best story someone else has recently told you (in person, preferably)? Share it with us, and feel free to embellish — that’s how good stories become great, after all.

Bush walking in Australia can be dangerous—even deadly. Situations can change quickly at the hand of mother nature. This is particularly true with canyoning—traveling through canyons using whatever mix of activities is required—abseiling, swimming, walking, jumping, scrambling over rocks etc to get through what is sometimes a very small space. Due to the areas where canyoning is possible, there it often only one way in and out. Without the knowledge of these exits—you may not survive.

Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Recently, on a warm autumn day, a group of experienced canyoneers where exploring some of the many canyons in the Blue Mountains. As usual, they had spent the whole day seeing no-one, just enjoying each others company and the peace, serenity and beauty of the canyons.

Suddenly as they were moving through the canyons, they came across four lost unequipped young people. They were scared, freezing from the icy cold water and had run out of food and drink.

“Do you know where you are or do you need help?” asked the group leader.

“Thank God you are here. We have no idea and thought we might die here tonight.” replied the other leader.

“If we hadn’t of come along you probably would have, if you don’t know that the only exit is hidden not far from here. There is no other way out,” he said.

“We have learnt a lot today both about the dangers in the mountains and our own life journey. A brush with death brings you into the here and now quickly,” replied another member of the lost party.

“You are all safe now. We will be back at the top within the hour before it gets to dark. Does anyone need anything before we lead the way out?”said the female of the rescue party.

“No, we are good now. We are ready to leave when you are” replied the lost leader.

And within twenty minutes the older team leader found the hidden exit using his maps as well as knowledge of the area and they began their ascent to safety, teaching the young explores about the Blue Mountains—its dangers and its highlights as they went.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/second-hand-stories/

Go Paperwork Go

November 2, 2014 inspiringmax

If you could slow down an action that usually zooms by, or speed up an event that normally drags on, which would you choose, and why?

Paperwork is the bane of my life. Home, work and play—they all involve what appears to be mountains of paperwork. Just when I think I have contained one of these paperwork events, another one, even bigger arrives to take its place.

In a perfect world, I would find a way to speed up paperwork in my life. It’s not always about being organised—it is the amount of it. Documentation is the focus of the world. Documentation equals paperwork—so there is no getting out of it.

I would love to have a system to speed up this process. Usually—the busier my day, the crazier my desk. This doesn’t help anyone, especially me. I need my paperwork to be contained. Maybe a magic button on the wall stating—DO PAPERWORK NOW—would do the trick. Press the button and it is done for you. However, until someone invents such an amazing concept, I will continue to work on systems to make my paperwork at least easier to manage.

Photo Credit: Google Images

How do you manage the mountains of paperwork in your life?

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/pace-oddity/

Happy Birthday Toastmasters

October 31, 2014 inspiringmax

Today you can write about anything, in whatever genre or form, but your post must mention a dark night, your fridge, and tears (of joy or sadness; your call).

This month sees Toastmasters International celebrate its 90th birthday. Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, it began as a single club in Santa Ana, California to help young men learn the art of public speaking. 90 years later there are 14,650 clubs in 126 countries and Toastmasters is continuing to grow.

Today, Toastmasters International’s membership is over 300,000 and it uses the tagline “Where Leaders are Made.” Emphasising the connection between public speaking and leadership in modern career paths.

I joined Toastmasters International in 2010 and have enjoyed my journey to becoming a competent speaker. I completed my first speaking manual —Competenat Communicator twice to develop my confidence writing and speaking, before I began the my Advanced Manuals, which I am now half way through.

The skills that I have learnt and honed at Toastmasters have definitely helped in both writing my book and commencing blogging. They help me think on my feet and this year in the impromptu speaking competition—Table Topics—I was runner-up at Area, something I am very proud of and a personal best.

My favourite part of Toastmasters, especially as a sponsor of a new club is seeing people make their first speech to the club called the Ice Breaker—for obvious reasons. This a particularly stressful time for many new members due to fear, anxiety and lack of confidence. However, mentorship and support from club members gets them through. After presenting their first speech, it is not uncommon for members to cry tears of joy as they realise that they really did do it —the planning, preparation and practice paid off.

If you are looking for a supportive way to achieve personal growth and develop at your own pace I would recommend you consider joining a Toastmaster Club near you. They are a proven way to enrich your life for 90 years.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/trio-no-three/

Double Take

October 28, 2014 inspiringmax

You step into an acquaintance’s house for the first time, and discover that everything — from the furniture, to the books, to the art on the wall — is identical to your home. What happens next?

“My, what great taste you have,” I said. My new friend looked at me with confusion written all over her face.

“Thank you” she said sheepishly, wondering what I would say next.

“Do you realise that this house and everything in it, is exactly the same as my house?” I replied.

“Your kidding. I’ve been collecting my things for thirty years and I don’t even know where you live,” she said.

“I believe you because many of them tell their own story. They would take a lot of effort to purchase today—they belong to the 80’s.” I replied.

We spent the next hour discussing our experiences with our belongings— where we had bought them and the story behind them. Although many of our stories were similar, some were vastly different. My miniature bottle collection was started as a 21st birthday present by a friend, whereas my new friend commenced hers after travelling overseas and bringing her free in flight alcohol bottles home.

A small selection

The more we talked—the more we realised we had in common. Then, an idea hit me.

“We seem to be similar people, with similar ways of thinking. Let’s write a series of books together. We could get them done in half the time but with double the resources. What do you think?” I asked.

“Yes I would love to. Sounds great.” she said, as she grabbed her ideas folder from the coffee table. And, with that our new writing career began—here are a few of our titles.

Double Take
Double Trouble
Double Jeopardy
Double Life

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/doppelganger-alert/

A Ray of Hope

October 27, 2014 inspiringmax

Imagine we lived in a world that’s all of a sudden devoid of color, but where you’re given the option to have just one object keep its original hue. Which object (and which color) would that be?

I love colour. It brightens my day and lifts my mood. I would struggle living in a monotone world of black and white initially—although after time I would adapt. The problem isn’t in the black and white—they are stark contrasts and have their own sharpness because of it—the problem is all the shades of grey in between.

To contrast the lack of colour, I would choose to keep the rainbow. I see the rainbow as a symbol of hope. Hope—that after the storm, there can be a beautiful ending. It would remind me of the colours that can come and brighten our world again. Even if colours never do return to our world—the rainbow would inspire hope that they are going to.

All my life when I see a rainbow—I instantly dream about the pot of gold at the end of it. The one, I heard about in so many childhood stories. I now use rainbows to remember to dream, smile and make plans for my future.

Rainbows need both water and sunlight to be created, so by ensuring a supply of rainbows, I am ensuring a supply of both of these natural elements— necessary for life.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/local-color/

Masks Off

October 26, 2014 inspiringmax

We’re less than a week away from Halloween! If you had to design a costume that channeled your true, innermost self, what would that costume look like? Would you dare to wear it?

Although Halloween celebrations are not big in Australia, I do enjoy dressing up in fancy dress costume. Wearing masks however—are not my thing. I find them restrictive and controlling. Neither which fit my personality. I chose my costume to be something that works for the occasion—with my open face plus or minus makeup.

On a day to day basis, I believe I channel my true self—in person as well as in my writing. Being genuine to who I am is important to me and constancy is the key. I am an honest, considerate person who loves teaching, nurturing and supporting others to grow. I also believe that it is important for me to do this for myself—to lead by example. I am aware of my limitations, but am happy to push myself beyond my comfort zone. If necessary, my personality allows deal with difficult situations to achieve the best outcomes.

Depending on how make-up is applied, it can be a mask, hiding someones real personality. Not all heavily applied make-up is a mask but, for some people it is. At times, this can be a very effective tool. However, used all the time masks can stunt your personal growth, as they stop you and others from connecting to the real you. Naturally applied make-up can be our friend. It isn’t a mask and doesn’t stop our personality coming through—hides our worse and highlights our best features—making us shine.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/masks-off/

Out Of Breath

October 25, 2014 inspiringmax

The busier my day is—the more I need to focus on my breathing. It energises and anchors me. I take time to—stop and just breath.

I stand still

Take a deep breath in

Create a circle with my arms

And breath out deeply and slowly

Moving my body helps me to organise my headspace and thinking. If I don’t do it, things get crazy and my desk or work area reflects the chaos in my world. However by stopping, taking control and replacing my breath—I can change my world by centering it.

My busy day isn’t taken away by this activity—I am just put in the present moment and able to make a plan. Yes, by a plan—I do mean a list—naming all the priorities to be addressed today. If I need any extra strength, after my deep breath—I will stand in a power pose for two minutes to increase my testosterone levels—it is simple yet very effective skill.