Writing Prompt: What Floats Your Boat?

I’m trying to narrow down my life to the things that really please me.

When I figure that out, I plan on streamlining everything.

I’m fairly certain of the ‘short list’ of things that I really like. Here’s a subset:

• my family
• writing
• good friends
• reading
• really loud music 🙂
• my doll collection (No, I am not too old to play with dollies!)
• visits to Staples (Will the Husband of Awesome™ groan upon reading this?)
• genealogy
• gardening
• photography
• knitting
• soft ice cream
• chocolate and peanut butter together
• homemade whipped cream
• …

The list goes on.

Some things have always been, and will always remain on the list: soft ice cream, family, reading… Knitting is fairly new, and I’m not certain how long it will continue to captivate me. But I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to knit sweaters or quit all together. (One can only knit so many scarves and potholders and really kewl fingerless gloves before the shininess palls, ya know?)

When I figure this out, when the list above is complete — and current — because I don’t want anything on it that used to please me, I’m going to weed everything out of my life that doesn’t pertain.

If it’s a physical item, it’s getting tossed. If it’s a bad habit, I’ll break it. If it’s an acquaintance, I’ll refuse future invitations.

Big job.

My point is this: why should we surround ourselves with anything that doesn’t give us pleasure? All else is an annoyance, a liability, or a distraction from what’s really important.

Here’s Your Prompt: Make a list of all the things that you enjoy doing or having or being.

The list can be as long or as short as you want it. It’s your list, after all, and only you can know how many things should be on it.

Now, pick one item on the list, one thing you really, really love, and write about why it gives you such pleasure. Write as if to a friend that you’re trying to share this passion with. Don’t try to be persuasive. It’s not you job to convince your “friend” to like it, too. Instead, concentrate on why you feel the way you do about it. Help your friend understand your passion.