30 Pithy Answers About Life
Responses to the November prompts from “the Challenged”
Who doesn’t love some pithy comments about life? Find some inspiration in my answers and toss the rest.
Here are my rapid-fire answers to 30 prompts from the awesome the Challenged community…
Denise Kendig is wondering if we have any Halloween regrets.
Like most times, I wish I had enjoyed past Halloween events with my family in a more mindful manner.
From regrets to gratitude. What have you learned from doing something you regret?
After regretfully skipping years of investing in my Roth IRA, I have learned to study personal finance and improve my wealth-building skills.
Vincent Pisano asks us to share something we learned from conversing with someone in a language that wasn’t your native language.
By conversing in American Sign Language with my teenage relative who is taking classes and teaching me ASL, I’ve learned a lot about deaf culture.
Julia A. Keirns would like you to write about apples. Story, poem, recipe … whatever comes to mind.
An apple a day (along with hydration, exercise, stress management, healthy meals, laughter) sometimes keeps the doctor away.
Bruce Coulter wants to know if you feel the need to read and write in a tit-for-tat fashion in light of Medium’s updates.
Recent app updates have me utterly confused; I’m at a loss for words and making little earnings no matter what I try.
Lynn L. Alexander has us locked in a department store for 24 hours and wonders how we might occupy ourselves.
Vlog the event and hope to go viral and make millions of dollars off of one video!
Leigh-Anne Dennison asks what book, album, television show, or film you would want to watch again for the first time. (If you were able to wipe it from your mind.)
I’d love to re-experience Michael Jackson’s albums for the first time so that I could better absorb his messages in songs like “Man In The Mirror” and “Heal The World.”
Rachella Angel Page asks, do you now, or have you ever, had a celebrity obsession?
A fond childhood memory is being obsessed with Jordan Knight from the New Kids On The Block… the good ole days!
Delaney Patterson is a nosy little thing. She wants to hear all about your first date. (And, so do I!)
Quite possibly a high school winter ball during my freshman year — so cliché but filled with carefree memories of dancing the night away with a sophomore who became my first boyfriend.
Luke Warburton: Write a letter from your present self to your past self, giving advice and insights on life and experiences you’ve gained. Conversely, write a letter from your future self to your present self, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Dear Past Me, f* the Joneses, just do you! -Present Me
Dear Present Me, it’s peaceful now because we’ve learned to say no to things and people and events that don’t bring us joy. -Future Me
Emma Vincent: What loving life lesson would you like to gift to someone in your life?
Every day be grateful and appreciative of all the goodness in your life.
Brandon Ellrich: Write a tribute — whether an open letter or a sort of declaration — to a veteran you know. If you don’t know one, make it a general statement or even a poem.
Dear Vet, I wish there were words to express how appreciative I am that you stand watch so that our country can feel safe, thank you.
A man leading a simple life asks, what is the most unusual thing you ever found in a garden during harvest; and what did you do with it?
Along with a photo of star-shaped pumpkins from the farm, I posted on my personal finance Instagram page:
“Dare to be as unique as a star-shaped pumpkin. And then make $$$ off that uniqueness!”
Daniel Marie: Describe your ideal van home. You have to (no arguments!) live on the road. Describe your perfect van home.
Giant with a spacious bathroom and shower, master bedroom, washer/dryer, also comfy and cozy, safe and warm.
What quality are you most grateful for in your partner?
Their eternal optimism.
Pamela Oglesby asks: Do you get angry easily, or what makes you mad?
Disrespect can sometimes easily trigger my anger.
Smriddhi asks, what is your morning routine? What does your ideal morning routine look like? How can you bridge the gap?
Mornings involve rushing through my routine to start work on time. Ideally, I’d love to eliminate the work part and the rushing part. I bridge the gap by working a low profile, low stress job.
Nathan Chen What is something that used to scare you but no longer does? Why was it so scary?
As a child, Disney characters in Disneyland used to scare me, I think because they seemed so big and one time Pluto chased me!
Kelly Corinne Elliott: She seemed like such a nice old lady until …
you crossed her and treated her rudely!
Tanya Jain would like to see a photo essay telling the story of your childhood.
My cousin. Me. Our bikes. Childhood.
Lynn L. Alexander asks if you could live life as a royal if you met your prince or princess.
I’d rather be a servant to royalty than actual royalty — enjoy some of the perks without the stress and attention.
Luke Warburton: In a society where memories can be bought, sold, and traded, explore the consequences and ethical dilemmas of a person who chooses to erase their past. How does this choice affect their relationships and sense of self?
Can we erase all negativity and create a kind world filled with goodness, please?
What’s the best thing that happened today?
The sun rose.
Emma Vincent asks us what the word mercy means to us.
Forgiveness — something so difficult yet often necessary for peace.
Delaney Patterson wants to know about a night we spend doing things we shouldn’t be doing.
Why must I be such a square goody-two-shoes that can’t fathom doing things I shouldn’t be doing?!
Write yourself a thank you note.
Thank you for finally prioritizing your finances, peace, happiness, and mental health.
Nicole Peery: You asked your favorite celebrity to narrate a day in your life. Who is it, and what do they say?
While I don’t have a favorite celebrity, I feel like Cardi B could make the quiet, simple day in the life of me sound fun and exciting.
Who is your favorite musician, or band? Do you have a favorite track?
I love me some Usher! Too many favorite tracks to list.
Lynn L. Alexander asks, if you could afford it, would you have plastic surgery? If yes, what would you have done?
Too scared.
What was your experience doing a random act of kindness this month?
Used a See’s giftcard to purchase a gift for someone, passed on the remaining giftcard balance to the person in line behind me.
I titled this story 30 Pithy Answers About Life before answering even one question. I knew I’d provide short, quick answers but didn’t know actual life themes would appear. I figured I’d re-title the piece later.
After creating my answers, I am pleasantly surprised to discover what things truly are important to me… family life, giving, kindness, time freedom, health, wealth, memories, music, honesty, positivity, and sunshine.
I hope that you feel even just the slightest bit inspired by one of my pithy answers.
Cheers to a beautiful November filled with gratitude and love!
Original post by Nancy Oglesby from the Challenged…