My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 31

Today's writing prompt is to write about finishing. 

Today is the last day of the writing challenge. There's nothing quite like the thrill of finishing something. I will never forget when I finished college.

On graduation day, I could hardly believe it. The day I had longed for was finally here! There were times I didn't think I'd ever finish. So many days my body hurt. So many long nights doing assignments.

When I got my diploma, nothing could wipe the smile off my face. I did it. I finished a goal I'd set for myself in spite of adversity. 

I finished not only because of my determination to complete my degree and better myself, but also because of my support system. I could not have done it without help from my Mama and Papa. They both took turns taking me back and forth to campus for classes.

Graduation was as much a victory for me as it was for them. Even on challenging days, we didn't quit. We stayed the course, and it paid off.

I celebrated with my family afterwards. I did something that a lot of people don't do. I wanted to finish my degree program in four years, but I wasn't physically able to do many classes when I first started. It took me five years to finish. My mom always said, "All you've got is time." She was right.

Had I finished in four years, I wouldn't have grown in the area of graphic design and published an awesome magazine that I still get compliments on today. Had I finished in four years, I wouldn't have grown as much as a person. I learned some valuable lessons in patience during that time. 

I learned not to rush through life. I learned to embrace the season I am in. And perhaps the most valuable lesson of all: I learned the true meaning behind a slogan my high school has... "It's not how you start that matters. It's how you finish."  

No one knows the extent of my physical struggles and pain at the beginning of college, but I finished STRONG. I finished fourth in my class. 

I don't know what you are struggling to finish. Don't let your circumstances overtake you. Rise up! Whether you realize it or not, you have the strength within to finish your course with joy!

My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 30

Today's writing prompt is to write about innocence. Write about childhood.  Write about ignorance.
Innocence is playing outside until dark.

Innocence is getting snow cones at the Tropical Sno place that was only open in the summer. I loved the green apple! No one's snow cones have ever compared to these.

When I think about innocence, a picture of my niece and nephews faces pops into my head. Their days consist of playing with cars and big rigs, making special deliveries...and often pestering their little sister who just wants to be close to them.

Innocence is not knowing about violence. My niece and nephews don't fully grasp how chaotic this world is, and I am thankful. They need to be kids.

Oh, how I wish I could go back to the days where every problem was solved with a game of rock, paper scissors. 

I remember getting home from school and having a Nutty Buddy that my Papa always kept for us. Childhood for me meant exploring the world around me on the four wheeler. We didn't have to worry about anyone trying to grab us. It was just us out in the open air with the crickets providing the background sounds.

Innocence is waiting for the ice cream truck to come by my aunt's house in the summer.  

Childhood dreams were crazy and fun. One day you'd want to be Superman and the next might be a policeman. Part of the greatness of being innocent is a vivid imagination. 

Things were so simple then. Sliding on the sliding slide was what Georgia summers were made of. Tea parties, painting my nails every color of the rainbow, stuffing my mouth with way too many mini Snickers candies at Memaw and Granddaddy's, impromptu concerts in the living room with my cousins...

Swinging on the swings at the elementary school and twisting it around and around until one of my friends threw up....

There were no rules... other than respect your elders, be kind, and treat others like you want to be treated.  

They say ignorance is bliss, and my childhood was great because I didn't know so many things.

I didn't know what it meant to hate. I loved everyone, period. 

In the words of Lee Anne Womack "I hope you never lose your sense of wonderYou get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger."

Just because time has passed doesn't mean you have to lose that spark you had when you were a child. Keep dreaming! Keep reaching for the stars. Don't let the cares of this life steal your joy. YOU were made for more! Don't settle for less.

If you are in a funk, do what scares you. Get out of your comfort zone! That child within you says, "What are you waiting for?!? GO FOR IT!

My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 29

Today's prompt is to write about what I do know. 

I know that I don't know everything. I do know I have lots to learn. 
I know I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I will look forward to it with joy, thankful for another day to be alive. I know some people aren't that fortunate. I don't always have words of comfort in times of crisis. I know I can be there and lend a listening ear. 

I don't know why I say some things. I know my tongue can be my greatest weapon or my biggest downfall. I don't know all of my weak areas. I know that I am a work in progress.

I don't know why people strive for perfection. Perfection means free from all flaws and defects, and I know I most certainly am not. 

I don't know how people perceive me. I know what kind of person I strive to be. 

I don't know why some people don't realize they are digging a hole that is deeper and deeper with the words they say. I know if they would be quiet, their life would be a lot more peaceful.

I don't know the in between chapters of my story, but I know the ending will be incredible!

I don't know why I get so frustrated about the length of the journey. I know life is a marathon, not a sprint. 

I don't know how long it will take to get to the climax of my life. I know all the heartaches and pain I've endured will be worth it.

I don't know why people are so busy with things in life, but they never really accomplish anything. I know I want to savor each moment, soaking in the people in my life and all they have to offer.

I don't know why people get entangled with so many lies. I know it will all unravel eventually.

I don't know why people spend so much time on superficial stuff. I know it won't matter years from now.

I don't know why people are so quick to judge and criticize others. I know what they judge someone else for they are usually guilty of themselves.

I don't know why everyone stopped being kind. It is a choice. I know kindness makes the world a better place. We don't need more money or stuff to make us happy. We just need to strip away all the fluff and get back to treating others the way we want to be treated. Kindness means caring about someone else. We have got to stop being so self-centered.

I don't know what the world will look like in ten years. I know if we continue on the path we're on, we will be detached from those around us, longing for real connections, but finding none because we've forgotten how to connect with others.

I don't know how many see what is happening. I know we are experiencing a slow fade. Day by day, the areas that were once black and white are now muddled and gray. Boundaries are being dissolved and lines are being crossed. Thoughts and words hang in the air.

I don't know where we will end up as a society. I know every word, every decision made does have an impact on our tomorrows.

My 500 Words: A Writing Challenge - Day 28

Today's writing prompt is to write my own eulogy. The instructions are to imagine what people would say if I passed away unexpectedly. What would I want them to say?

Madison was a vibrant girl who radiated positivity wherever she went. 

Born a tiny preemie twin, Madison had a rough start in life, but she never let her disability stop her. She always had a smile on her face. 

Madison saw challenges as opportunities. When in physical therapy as a child, she would always ask her therapist, "Am I doing this right?" These difficult times helped shape her into the person we knew and loved. 

Madison was a giver. She put others' needs ahead of herself. She was always thinking about ways to help other people, whether that be journals for sick kids or tissues for cancer patients. Her greatest joy came when she could do something for someone else.

Madison never settled in life. She forged her own path and did things her way. When others said she couldn't do something, she would prove them wrong, often doing it better than they thought possible.

Madison was a leader. People of all ages looked up to her and how she carried herself. Madison inspired all who knew her to live life to the fullest.

Madison loved Jesus. Do you know how I know that? From the times she sincerely listened to a hurting woman to the time she bent down to hug a child, you knew she cared about you. She didn't just talk about making a difference, she did it. One of her greatest questions was "Am I making a difference?" Anyone who knows Madison knows she did. She made a difference by loving people well. She made a difference by giving hope and words of encouragement. 

If Madison were here, I know she would tell us to break down the barriers, keep striving for greatness. And that's exactly what we will do. We will all be kinder to each other, and I know she would want us to smile more. It really does make a difference.

This exercise also says to tell what things I would regret. If I died today, I would regret words I have said. Words said in anger. Words said out of pain and frustration. 

I would regret worrying about things that don't even matter. I would regret wasting time and energy on people who don't value me.