Thoughts From The Wilderness – Three Tips In Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety.

A word that many of us(including yours truly) deal with. An anxiety onslaught can occur on a daily basis, although at times – they can be much less frequent. They can be minor bouts, that aren’t such a huge deal. While on the other hand, our anxiety attacks can be major outbreaks that are debilitating and rendering us at times incapable of undertaking the simplest of tasks.

Through most of 2020 and now into 2021, anxiety and other mental wellness issues and concerns are becoming more and more prevalent as people work to deal and cope with the ongoing pandemic.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any real answers to this. The only thing I can share, is that you are not in this alone.

I wrote this about a year or so ago, maybe longer on my journeys and struggles with anxiety.

I must admit that the last number of months or so, things have been really good for myself. The ongoing anxiety fights have been much fewer, to at times non-existent. All of which I find sort of weird(but in a good way), given that my job as an essential front line worker has kept me in the midst of the “need to keep yourself safe from the virus” deal since the beginning of this.

Nevertheless, I share this to encourage you that even though you may feel alone – you’re not.

— as always; with love —

You feel anxious; I feel anxious; in fact, we all feel anxious at some time or another.

Whether it’s the “big exam” coming up at the end of the term or that fast-closing deadline for a project at work or your first back-country solo hiking trip, everyone feels nervous or worried at times.

In reality, this type of anxiety can be helpful given that it can motivate us or warn us of danger.

On the flip side of the coin, an anxiety disorder can cause unexpected or unhelpful anxiety that seriously impacts our lives, including how we think; how we feel, and how we act in situations.

Health Canada estimates that one in ten Canadians is affected by some type of anxiety disorder. Given the population of Canada in 2019 was 37.59 million people, that one in ten ratio equates to approximately 3,759,000 people in Canada with an anxiety disorder.

Why am I posting on anxiety?

Because I deal with anxiety episodes generally on a daily basis.

The most acute occurrences tend to happen fairly early in the morning and while at work. It will continue to escalate, becoming more intense until my lunch break, which generally occurs mid-morning. Ninety percent of the time when my break happens, I take a minute to call Lynn to see what is new(nothing ever is new it seems).

Simply talking to her and it doesn’t have to be regarding the anxiety, but just talking to her helps in diminishing the anxiety and anxiousness to a more manageable level.

Continuing on, more often than not the anxiety episodes will subside until mid-afternoon when they sometimes, but not always ramp-up until I’m finished work later in the day.

At this point, I have not had a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.

I have spoken in the past few months with my Doctor regarding what is happening.

But this graphic, pretty much describes where I am at.

I realize that everyone who deals with anxiety, whether they are being treated by a professional or plugging away on their own, is at a different place in dealing and or treating their anxiety issues.

Three Tips

Here are three tips I work at and try to implement when dealing with my own anxiety concerns.

Thoughts Patterns

I find that very negative/untrue or unsubstantiated thought patterns can enter my mind instantly, take root and completely distort the reality of the situation.

I’m trying to challenge those fears and negative thoughts by asking if they’re true(always they’re not true at all) and to then see if there are ways to take back control of my thought patterns.

For example, as I mentioned above my anxiety ramps up early in the morning generally getting more intense until I find the opportunity to connect with Lynn.

If I can’t get Lynn via text message or on the phone, my mind heads off down something similar to this type of rabbit hole:

• something has happened to her
• she is sick
• why doesn’t she turn that damn phone up
• she’s packed up and left

The usual case is this:

• was in the shower and didn’t know you called
• I was doing something with my own business and couldn’t get back to you
• I was on the phone with my Mom and didn’t do the whole switching between calls thing
• I didn’t hear the phone ring or the incoming text message beep. Lynn is hearing impaired by the way.

When all this happens, I try to remind myself that it is likely one of the above or something similar occurring as to why she might not get to the phone.

Take back control by challenging the negative thought patterns.

Breathing Exercises

A lot has been written already and I guess much more will get written in the future on the benefits of breathing exercises in anxiety reduction.

Deep breathing is suggested as one of the best ways to lower stress in the body.

When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain says, “good idea here” and then sends the “calm down and relax” message to our body. When your anxiety is kicking in, all of the things that occur, such as an increased heart rate, rapid breathing and higher blood pressure, decrease as you begin to breathe deeply to relax.

There are literally more specific breathing exercises than one can possibly imagine to help in the reduction of anxiety symptoms.

In the morning when the anxiety seems to be “doing its thing,” I try to find two minutes or so to complete “belly breathing” exercises. I find it helps to slow things down and become a bit more relaxed.

Belly breathing technique:

• Sit or lie flat in a comfortable position
• Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest
• Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move
• Breathe out through pursed lips as if you were whistling. Feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out
• Do this breathing 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath
• Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise

I don’t often have time to complete ten cycles, but I do as many as possible.

Another one I read about is the 4-7-8 technique. I haven’t tried it yet, but I may give a whirl when at home

The 4-7-8 breathing technique:

Apparently, this exercise also uses belly breathing to help you relax. Practitioners of this one, suggest you can do this exercise either sitting or lying down.

• To start, put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest as in the belly breathing exercise
• Take a deep, slow breath from your belly, and silently count to 4 as you breathe in
• Hold your breath, and silently count from 1 to 7
• Breathe out completely as you silently count from 1 to 8. Try to get all the air out of your lungs by the time you count to
• Repeat 3 to 7 times or until you feel calm
• Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise.

Deep breathing exercises help to slow things down and get you relaxed.

What are your triggers?

There is something that triggers anxiety episodes.

If we can identify what those “triggers” are, that goes a long way in helping to deal and manage our anxiety issues.

From what I’ve been able to read, the causes of anxiety and anxiety disorders can be complicated. Research suggests it’s likely that a combination of factors, including genetics and environmental reasons. It is also very clear, and I think obvious(at least to me) that some events, emotions, or experiences may cause symptoms of anxiety to begin or may make them worse.

These events, emotions, or experiences are called triggers.

Because we are all individuals with our own complex issues, anxiety triggers can be different for each of us. Although many triggers seem to be common amongst those of us dealing with anxiety issues.

Research indicates most people dealing with anxiety find they have multiple triggers. But on the other hand, for some people, anxiety attacks can be triggered for no reason at all.

Regardless, it’s important to discover any anxiety triggers that you may have.

Figuring out what they are is an important step in managing them.

For myself, most of my anxiety issues at this juncture occur when I’m at work.

I’m sure that there are underlying factors as to “why”, but for me, the trigger(s) seems to be my work environment. I don’t experience anxiety attacks or episodes for example on my days off or on holidays.

Nevertheless and unfortunately, the side effects of anxiety issues for myself are 24/7, as the graphic illustrates.

At this stage, I don’t have many options available to me in terms of career changes.

Because of that, I work at using the above coping techniques for identifying negative thought patterns and breathing exercises to manage my anxiety episodes and issues.

Final thoughts..

This post is not to be taken as the remedy to fix all anxiety issues for yourself or me for that matter.

If you’re dealing with anxiety or any other mental health wellness concern, you should always seek the help of a qualified medical professional first and foremost.

For myself, I try to practice challenging the negative thought patterns; breathing exercises and identifying the triggers as ways to cope at this stage. Some days I deal with the anxiety stuff pretty good. Other days, I just want to come home; hug Lynn; eat dinner and crawl into bed.

If you have an anxiety disorder, how do you deal with it or deal with anxiety-related issues in your life?

Thanks for hanging around and reading this.

— with love —

—  get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself  —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt Week 31 – Reblog From Smita Ray(the wide blue yonder)

What a great start to 2021 in terms of “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.” A big thanks to all who have submit this week.

Next on tap for Week 31, comes from a new contributor and we’re happy that she has joined us this week. So a big thanks to – Smita Ray(the wide blue yonder).

Smita Judy has penned a short prose piece on love.

You can check out feathery here.

Thanks to Smita Ray(the wide blue yonder) taking part this week. We hope that you’ll bless us again in the future.

Our next “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 26.

Thanks.

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt Week 31 – Reblog From Sadje

What a week it has been. From moving scenes on Tuesday evening with United States COVID Memorial Service to the closing one dark chapter and the opening of another one on Wednesday that is brighter and hope full for all.

Our first one for Week 31, comes from Sadje.

Two lines from Sadje’s poem says it all.

“Just the presence of this majestic bird

Fills my heart with the hope of good things to come“

You can check out her poem here.

Thanks Sadje for taking part again this week.

Our next “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 26.

Thanks.

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 32

There must be something wrong with me, I can’t believe that we’re into the third week of January and what a January it has been. But, enough on that.

Nevertheless, it is Tuesday and that means “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

Our Week 32 picture is pretty much what it shows. An old derelict piano in the snow. If I remember correctly, Lynn snapped the picture near the hamlet of Washago.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Thoughts From The Wilderness – “Soul Place” – What Are They and Do We All Have One?

It’s early on Friday morning(January 15) and we’re well into Day 2 of “Lockdown Light – Part 3” in Ontario.

The emergency measures put in place by the provincial government indicate(which defines out as merely suggested) that we are to “shelter at home” except for getting groceries; essential work; and medical appointments. There may be a few other items to include on that list, but no one knows what they are.

Needless to say, there has been much confusion throughout our “dear old province” as to what is deemed essential or for that matter “not essential.”

For many of us, we can’t even figure out if we’re allowed to drive 15 minutes to the edge of town to hike along some county forested trail. I think we can, but “what we can do and what we can’t do” – seems to be a moving target at best.

It goes without saying that over the past 10 or 11 months, all of us(including the government) have come to realize the mental health impacts resulting from COVID_19. I assume this is why getting outdoors and exercise(like trail walking or hiking as examples) has been included as part of the province’s list of permitted activities – what I’m calling “essential – light.”

Where to go?; how far can we go? Don’t honestly know for sure. Maybe today there will be yet another presser and we’ll get a clearer picture.

Why the exceedingly long preamble?

The mental health aspects resulting from the pandemic, if and when they get media time never seem to get “front page treatment.” It’s always sort of an afterthought or buried so far down your Twitter feed, it never sees the light of day.

But, the effects of and how to minimize the issues resulting from pandemic mental wellness is vitally important.

I wrote the following post a while back.

Each of us, and whether we believe it or not, have a special place we run too at times. We blast our way at all costs to wherever that “place” is to dwell in that sense of “inner peace.” We might not know we’re doing it, but we are.

We’ve all heard or uttered the phrase, ” I feel most at peace when I’m in the forest; or mountains; or at the sea.” Or something similar in nature. It may even be the beachy type waterfront in the large city you live in.

It seems these days, we live in a world where it is exceedingly difficult to be “at peace” whether globally or our own inner peace.

Which makes it all that more imperative to find that place that gives us that inner peace. A place that when we arrive, we know instantaneously that “I’m home.” A place where our soul is a rest.

— as always; with love —

One thing that has been bouncing around in my mind for the past several weeks is the idea of “why are people attracted or drawn to a particular spot or place?” 

Phrases like:

• “Algonquin Park is my special place; I feel most at peace there”
• “I can’t help it. When I’m in the mountains it’s like being home.”
• “The seashore calls me and when I’m there it’s like heaven to me.”
• “I feel a presence when I’m out in the forest, in the trees, and in the streams. It’s where I’m supposed to be.”

Talking with Lynn about it, I wondered if there any substance to this, other than a purely an intellectual exercise or response.

We often hear from friends or even tell ourselves that, “such and such a place is where I feel most at home.” But, when pressed as to why they feel that “this place is like being home,” all I ever get for a response is “well because it just is.”

For most of us, that answer should be enough, but it got me to thinking that maybe the “why” is much deeper.

That the reason why are people attracted or drawn to a particular spot or “Soul Place” is almost or is spiritual in nature.

After doing a bit of reading, I came across this concept or idea of “Soul Place.”

So, what is a “Soul Place?”

Soul Place

Good question and without getting into a long discourse on the meaning of “soul,” this is what I’ve been able to glean about all of us having and/or needing to find our “soul place.”

It doesn’t take being much of a rocket scientist and no disrespect to rocket scientists, but we live at a time where our existence tends to be based on consumption and consuming A LOT, rather than something else.

This “something else” is the idea of each of us being born(obviously), but not to necessarily consume(yes, we need to consume to some extent), but to also engage, serve and nurture our place within the ecosystem of the universe.

As such, our soul is simply not our true nature, but also it is our true place in nature.

In as much as our soul may have a spiritual dimension, it also has a physical domain to it as well.

The concept of a “Soul Place” is very personal and will be different for each person.

But, from what I’ve read, we all have at least one soul place on the planet and it will be personal – very personal.

So, a soul place is a special site, spot or location where we experience an exceedingly personal and unique feeling of belonging, acceptance, energy and renewal.

This sounds pretty fantastic to me.

Finding Your Soul Place

Here are some things I came across to help discern if you think you’ve found your “soul place.”

• you’ll feel a sense of familiarity
• a greater sense of harmony and ease
• might intuitively sense that “you’re finally home and can rest now”
• if there’s external chaos in this place, you’ll still feel internally peaceful
• feel inspired and have bursts of creative thought
• you are content with simply “being there”
• feel a new sense of freedom and joy
• feel introspective and will get to know yourself in deeper ways
• feel recharged and energized

So, what does all this mean?

I think the purpose of looking into this a bit more and then posting about it is to create a dialogue, because if there is one point in the history of humanity that we need to find our “soul place”, this is likely it.

If you haven’t figured it out already, I really don’t know much about “Soul Places”, although I have blogged on something close to it Thoughts From The Wilderness – Why The Outdoors, just a few days ago.

But, the idea of a Soul Place intrigues me, as I think I have at least one.

So, here’s where you guys come in. I would love some comments on the concept of “Soul Places.”

• what do you think about each of us having a “Soul Place”
• do you have a “Soul Place?
• how do you feel when you’re there?
• is the idea of “Soul Place” ridiculous”
• or any other comments germane to the discussion

— as always; with love —

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Thoughts From The Wilderness – A Foggy Day Is Still A New Day

Seems last January was a good month in terms of posting pieces of motivation and alike. More often than not, they were strewn with an abundance of motivational quotes, cliches, along with a decent sprinkling of kitty and puppy pictures to melt the darkest soul of the most hard-hearted curmudgeon.

However, thinking about this for a moment or two, I’m not sure that the word “cliche” is entirely appropriate here.

Cliche is defined as, “a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.” People have been known to utter that what I write “is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.” Hard to argue that point. Perhaps that is best left for another time and place.

Nevertheless, often inspirational quotes and especially when they are combined in a graphic, often create this magic panacea to cure all our low self-worth issues. And as such, they do have a slight “cliche” feel and ring to them.

So, where are we going to on this Day 1 of “Lockdown Light – Part 2” in Ontario?

I’m not sure…… do these motivational/inspirational quotes, graphics and cliches do anything more than present a reality or a vision of reality that simply might not be real. A lot of use of the word “real” here.

— as always; with love —

It seems inspirational quotes and writing in the inspirational genre often appear to be the most fertile ground when it comes to the use of cliches and such.

Obviously, that opening sentence is a massive over-generalization and yes, it may be a somewhat unfair suggestion.

But, cliches and or quotes from those who are famous or the near-famous certainly have found a place within the whole inspirational genre, whether it be in text or some visual representation.

Now, this post isn’t to disparage any of these quotes or cliches or how and why they’re used.

I get all of that, and I understand why people can find solace and comfort reading them. In addition, Even, I find many of them pretty good.

Here are a few quotes or cliches to help illustrate where we’re going.

Night is always darker before the dawn and life is the same, the hard times will pass, everything will get better and the sun will shine brighter than ever.

— Ernest Hemingway

Sunshine always follows the rain

— unknown

Tomorrow is a new day

—  unknown

Each one of these has been used or may even be used by someone today to help people dealing with a period of “darkness”(going through a challenging or difficult period in their life) and that the “darkness” will somehow end and what follows will be a “glorious dawn of a new day” filled with eye-blinding sunshine.

The problem is, when I read these and other quotes or similar cliches, there seems never any middle ground.

You head from one end of some ethereal spectrum of “darkness” and magically overnight awaken at the opposite end having arrived at an “a new and glorious dawn filled with sunshine.”

And often when presented in a visual form, they appear something like this. And again, leave us with the impression of a day dawning with the sun brilliantly coming up over the horizon and a day filled with sunshine.

• 

• 

• 

But, in reality, does it really happen like that?

Do people actually come out of some difficulty or challenging period in their lives and fall into this new dawn of brilliant sunshine where all is good?

I suppose it does happen and for all I know, maybe it happens all the time.

So, here is the crux of it.

Do these types of cliches and quotes, set people up in some way with slight or even gross unrealistic expectations?

What if the day dawns, as it always does, but it is overcast and foggy?

Is this still not a brand-new day?

Did the sun come up or not?

The answer to both questions is, obviously yes.

Even a dull, foggy and dreary morning, is exceedingly brighter than a night that wasn’t even all that dark out!

In other words, even if you went through a difficult and challenging time and start to see a change happening for the better and even if the change was a tad foggy or dull, is that not better than the dark period?

Assuming that it is, certainly, that has to be a “win” for us?

A change for the better regardless of how it arrives and/or how big the change, is still a change for the better.

I suspect that we all want to go from the dark(difficulties are happening) end of the spectrum to the brilliant(all is better) end, without having to travel through the middle part. The problem is, we need to travel through that middle part. Which may be 12 hours or 12 years.

I believe that most of us eventually work through those difficult times, depending on what they are and at some juncture, a new day will dawn for us. That those troubling or difficult circumstances would be entirely gone or at least vanished for the most part. And that this new day will give us plenty of sunshine on some level.

Remember, though, we may have had a few foggy and dreary days along the way before we get there.

And if nothing else, we will have learned a few skills along the way to cope and deal with whatever the issues where and still might be.

Nevertheless, a foggy and dreary day is still a new day and it will always be brighter than the darkest night.

And that in my mind is a “HUGE WIN.”

— with love —

—  get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself  —

Thoughts From The Wilderness – To Colour Or Not To Colour?

I wrote this last January, with reckless abandon and with no clue of what was about to transpire and grip the entire planet is just a few short weeks.

Not that the timing of when it was penned or of what unfolded after really matters. What does matter though, is now is the time, not next week; or next month, but now is the time to start colouring again.

Colour with the joy and freedom that we experienced as four year olds, sitting at the kitchen table with Mom or Dad and with a blank canvas in front of us. Ready to go wild and create the world’s greatest masterpiece.

And that masterpiece is you.

— with love —

A few weeks ago, I was going through some stuff(mostly unknown clutter) that had been boxed away in our art studio.

When rummaging around, I came across a small container of things that obviously had much use and where a well-worn memory from our daughter Sara’s childhood.

Crayons and colouring pencils.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

How many of us remember back to when our children picked up that crayon or marker for the first time?

Sitting with them at the kitchen table; your child not even able at this stage to hold a crayon correctly. But, it did it matter? Of course not! They just latched on to it and started wildly moving the crayon across that blank piece of paper, creating in their mind the perfect picture to give Mom to put on the fridge for the world to see.

As things progressed, you likely bought them a simple colouring book suitable for the age they were at. Having said that, a colouring book is a big step up from a white sheet of paper.

With colouring books, the lines define the shape and also where to colour.

But like the blank piece of paper, this is fun. REAL FUN. There were no rules. The sky can be green and not blue; the lines in the book are merely a suggestion; the grass can be red and not green.

And with great abandon and without care for the rules, children colour, create and express themselves in such wonderful ways with a simple crayon. Why? – because they can. And no one stops them.

In fact, we encourage and support them all along the way.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the path we call life, there is a point when society or someone says, “in order to fit in – you must colour between the lines.”

As the days move along and as we grew older, even though we may not have known it, “colouring between the lines” creates a loss in our life.

The “stay between the lines mantra,” begins to ever so slightly strip or erode away part of who we are.

It takes that “wild child-like abandonment and care-free attitude” from our childhood and slowly over time smooths out those rough edges to create something that conforms to a much more narrowly defined existence.

This underlying and often not so underlying layer of “staying between the lines conformity” ultimately creates a picture where the colours match up(the sky must be blue) and the colours don’t cross over those tiny lines that define the shapes on the page. The result is a picture that all can see and recognize what it is.

Remember though, as a toddler, when starting to colour there were no rules. There was nothing to confine or restrict the crayon crashing across the page in the colouring book.

Did you care? NO!

You were simply being you; being who you are; having fun and living life. You were creating a masterpiece.

But at some ripe age as an adult or even a bit earlier, the mind-set of “colouring between the lines” can take us down a variety of different rocky/tree root strewn and foot catching stumbling paths:

• do what’s safe or easy
• don’t be unique or really different
• be perfect
• don’t bend the rules
• keep your creativity in check; no individuality
• don’t make a scene
• stay in your comfort zone; take no risks

If that’s where we’ve ended because we’ve been herded into “colouring within the lines,” we can often find ourselves saying, “trying that won’t work” instead of actually seeing if it will work. Or “it has always been done that way” as the only reason to not try and do things differently.

“Colouring between the lines” can bring us to be a near-perfect rule follower, not willing to step out and “bend the rules” a bit. You’re afraid to take or make a path of your own.

You study and become an accountant(not to disparage accountants), but deep within you; your soul aches and your heart cries and screams that you need to be a writer; an actor; or make pottery. And you know it’s true, because you feel and live the ache of your soul and the scream of your heart each and every day.

But how often do you simply end up living life – “painting by numbers.” Number 5 is blue; number 7 is green.

Rigidly colouring within the lines leaves you afraid to be who you are, cut off from your creativity, resourcefulness, and genius.

Source – Unknown

You see, each of us(and that includes you) was born to create a masterpiece.

And that “masterpiece” is us as an individual.

But in order to create that masterpiece, we need to at times and often all the time “colour outside the lines.”

Life may or may not be a “big wonderful and yummy bowl of cherries,” but it certainly is a big box full of brightly colour crayons.

Regardless of what people around you or even what society says, it is okay to “colour outside the lines” and along with that, it is also okay to use every colour in the crayon box.

In fact, to create “your masterpiece” you’ll need to use each colour; mix them up a bit(make the sky green), and to say “to hell with the lines on the page.”

Live life to the fullest. You have to color outside the lines once in a while if you want to make your life a masterpiece. Laugh some every day. Keep growing, keep dreaming, keep following your heart. The important thing is not to stop questioning.

~ Albert Einstein

Now is the time to open back up that box of crayons that have been put away over the years.

Get out there and colour with “child-like freedom.” Use the brightest and wildest colour schemes you can think of.

Bring perspective to life and things that only you can bring.

You are different, unique, original.

Be you – the world needs your masterpiece.

— with love —

—  get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself  —

Photo Credits: Pixabay and Google Images

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 31

January is well underway and so is “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.” Our second entry of 2021 is also Week #31. Hard to think we’ve been doing the prompts for over thirty weeks.

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

Our Week 31 prompt was taken through our front window last winter. It is a male Northern Red Cardinal.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt Week 30 – Reblog From lifelessons

What a great start to 2021 in terms of “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.” A big thanks to all who have submit this week.

Next on tap for Week 30, comes from(and not sure if they have taken part previously – somehow I think she has), but nevertheless a big thanks to – lifelessons(judydykstrabrown).

Judy has penned a brilliant poem(Lighthouse Point) on guiding us securely home.

You can check out Lighthouse Point here.

Thanks to lifelessons(judydykstra-brown) taking part this week. We hope that you’ll bless us again in the future.

Our next “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 12.

Thanks.

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt Week 30 – Reblog From The Bag Lady(rugby843)

Out third submission for our Week 30 prompt, comes from someone who joined us way back in Week 13 – The Bag Lady.

She given us a poignant short paragraph dealing with love and memories.

You can check out the post here.

Thanks to The Bag Lady(rugby843) taking part this week. We hope that you’ll bless us again in the future.

Our next “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 12.

Thanks.

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —