Category Archives: topic

If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. [Paulo Coelho] I live in the Midwest and experience the gamut of four full seasons. I spend a lot of time thinking about seasons, the traditional seasons of summer, fall, winter, and spring, as well as the seasons of life.Continue reading “open invitation no. 93: say hello (or goodbye)”

The greatest step to a life of simplicity is to learn to let go. [Steve Maraboli] Make a list of things you can let go to make life simpler. I’ll go first: I can let go of feeling guilty for the things I don’t get done. *Remember, you don’t have to accept this invitation…but IContinue reading “open invitation no. 88: simplicity”

Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all [Helen Keller] Write about a daring adventure. It can be one that happened or one you hope to happen. *Remember, you don’t have to accept this invitation…but I do hope you will accept the invitation to write. Sharing our stories is magical. PS—There is a FacebookContinue reading “open invitation no. 87: a daring adventure”

Magic can be found in stolen moments. [Francesca Lia Block] I coached alongside a favorite teacher who insisted on taking advantage of golden moments. These were spaces in the day that you could swipe and complete a small task or organize a larger one. Now, more than a decade later, I still think about goldenContinue reading “open invitation no. 84: stolen moments”

A flower blossoms for its own joy. [Oscar Wilde] Make a list of your joys. Here are the guidelines. Be specific. The color of the horizon just before sunrise. Be ordinary. The squeaky-clean feel of my teeth on my tongue after I brush, floss, and rinse. Be small. The smell of a just cracked bananaContinue reading “open invitation no. 82: own your joy”

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. [attributed to John Boswell] You are invited to linger in your winter memories, reach deep and pick a golden moment to share. Embark on a sentimental journey, and most importantly—enjoy the time while youContinue reading “open invitation no. 74: snow”

Over and over, we begin again. [Banana Yoshimoto] Happy New Year, Story Collectors! It is good to share our stories. If you’re looking for inspiration, share about beginning. It can be your intentions for 2022, your One Little Word (OLW), something new, or something you are trying again. *Remember, you don’t have to accept this invitation…butContinue reading “open comments for invitation no. 70: arise”

I know I am what I am. But I am not sure what I am. [MASON COOLEY] I like the “I am” prompt for a little list in a notebook. Let’s try it this week. It’s a good way to give the out-of-shape writing muscles a stretch. *Remember, you don’t have to accept this invitation…butContinue reading “open invitation no. 69: i am”

If something is important enough, you should try. Even if the probable outcome is failure. [Elon Musk] Here we go, trying again, after trying again, after trying again. Let’s write about trying again. It’s been a long time since some of us have written. That’s okay. Some of us don’t know what story to write.Continue reading “open invitation no. 68: try again”