Did you ever take some action to right a wrong? The late Congressman John Lewis, who devoted his life to racial justice and equality, famously said, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." Think back … Did you ever get in good, necessary trouble? It need not be a political action. It could be something seemingly minor like taking a stand at a PTA meeting or writing a letter to the editor. What did you do and what was the consequence? Share your good trouble stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Every four years of our lives there has been a presidential inauguration held on January 20th. Some have been more memorable than others, for the weather, the participants, or the impact on our country. Think back … to years past or just last week. What do you recall from these important ceremonies, for good or for ill, and how were you affected by them? Share your inaugurations stories forward. Start Writing

Time was, pretty much every adult wore a hat in public. Today, they’re no longer de rigueur, though we still wear them for protection on the job or from the weather, for religious reasons, or just for the fun of it. In terms of fashion, more than any other piece of clothing, a hat makes a statement, and if you’re wearing one, it’s the first thing people notice about you. Think back…about the hats in your life, or one special hat. Share your hats stories forward.

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People either love it or hate it. When we baby boomers were in grade school, it was common to give cute little Valentine cards to the kids we liked, and not to the ones we didn’t like. Ouch. As adults, we might choose the day to mush on one special person, or to remind a few people how much we love them, usually in shades of red, and usually with a card, candy, flowers, a poem, or all of the above. We might even propose marriage, or get married. Think back…to a special Valentine’s Day or gift given or received. Share your Valentine’s Day stories forward. Start Writing

In our busy lives, it’s easy to lose touch with people—neighbors, classmates, coworkers, ex-lovers—who are important to us. The COVID pandemic might have encouraged you to reconnect with someone by phone, email, or even in person. Or, maybe there was a meaningful reconnection in your more distant past. Think back … who have you reconnected with? How did you find them? What was the response? Share your Reconnecting stories forward. Start Writing

Some of us are artists, and some are not, but we have all enjoyed art in one form or another in our lives. Think back … have you created art when you were a child or later as an adult? If so, what medium was or is your favorite? If you have just enjoyed art as a spectator, was it in museums, galleries, or some other place? Do you collect art yourself? Share your art and art museums stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Universal Letter Writing Week, January 10-17, encourages us to put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard and write to someone. Most likely, you communicate with the people in your life via email and texts these days, and writing letters is a lost art. Picture your younger self and write yourself an actual letter. Think back … At what stage of your life would a letter from who you are now have been most helpful? What advice would you give yourself? What stories would you like your younger self to know? Share your "letter to my younger self" stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Happy New Year! Now that we have expressed gratitude at the Thanksgiving table, and the season of gift giving is over, some formal thank yous might be in order—but how formal? Are handwritten thank you notes relics of the past or still relevant? When, if ever, does an email or text suffice? Think back … to how you were taught to thank others. What about now? How do you or your children offer thanks for presents or kind gestures? And is saying “you’re welcome” a lost art? Share your Thank You stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Binges, benders, and sprees have long been associated with negative behavior like excessive drinking, eating, or even shopping. Today, thanks to digital streaming, we binge-watch a new TV series the day it’s released, watching multiple episodes in quick succession for instant gratification and no harmful effects. Think back…what form, if any, has bingeing taken in your life? Are you currently enjoying something binge-worthy? Share your "What are you bingeing?" stories forward.
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We are approaching the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year.  Not a great time for those with seasonal affective disorder. Perhaps, the season matches the darkness of our times as we struggle through a pandemic and political chaos. Think back … were you afraid of the dark? Were there times in your life that felt very dark? Share your hello darkness stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories