According to most academic experts, spelling aptitude is a poor way to judge someone’s intelligence, yet jobs are secured and lost in large part because of it. For some of us it comes easy; we even have fun with spelling games. Some of us have a harder time with it, and with good reason: the English language has 205 ways to spell 44 sounds. Think back … how has spelling affected your life, or the life of someone close to you? Share your spelling stories forward.

Volunteering can take many forms for helping the community, from serving as a scout leader or on the PTA, to serving soup to the hungry. Whether working with national organizations or next-door neighbors, volunteers are critical to maintaining a healthy society. Think back … what have been your or your loved ones’ most meaningful volunteering experiences? How has volunteering changed since years past? Is volunteering still valued today? Share your volunteering stories forward.

This prompt goes live five days before Thanksgiving. As we head into the holidays, with COVID-19 still very much a factor in our lives, how do you plan to celebrate, if at all? Think back … to your favorite celebrations of Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve in the days when people could get together freely, and the contrast with this year. Share your pandemic holidays (or any holidays) stories forward.

Fads come on suddenly and are short-lived. Think pole sitting, goat yoga, and certain diets. Trends tend to have a little more staying power, as in fashion and style, music and art, speech and expressions. Think back … tell us about one of your favorite fads or trends, or one of your least favorite. And if you find yourself overwhelmed with possibilities — or with life in general these days — consider limiting your story to just 100 words. Capture a moment, an event, or a feeling in what’s called flash writing, a somewhat new trend that’s trickier than it sounds but oddly satisfying. Share your fads and trends stories forward.