PLAYFUL CONNECTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE: Reena’s Xploration Challenge (Happiness/Present Moment Video)

For this week’s Xploration Challenge, Reena has provided us with a video on the theme of happiness & being in the present moment. She encouraged us to watch it; reflect on it & write a Stream of Consciousness piece on it. Below lies my contribution, hope you all enjoy the read! 👇👇🙏🤞😁📖

PLAYFUL CONNECTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Staying in the present moment has always been a challenge for me with my mind constantly racing forward & back between the next day’s or next week’s activities/schedule or rehashing the previous day’s mistakes; stupid things I’ve said or jobs left undone. It’s a never ending cycle of could have done’s; should’ve done’s; what will I do & what if it doesn’t work out. It can be pretty exhausting! Over thinking and over analysis have always stole away any possibility of real happiness & contentment or of actually enjoying the moment I’m in. Always seeming so serious; quiet and intense rather than relaxed & happy. My father, God rest him, was constantly trying to make me laugh; to get me to smile with his joking around; mischievous grin and playful smile, all in the effort to help me not to take life so, seriously as it were. Now that mantle has fallen to my patient wife and playful daughters who have been blessed with a great sense of humour and are always trying to make me laugh. 😁😂 Grace, in particular, takes great pride in being able to make me laugh, to make anyone laugh for that matter. Grace and Ava remind me, when I forget (which I do often) what’s really important and that’s to laugh; smile; play & connect with other people there and then in the moment. Running, my play time, does this for me too. This is what brings true happiness & contentment! 👍👍😁😁

Should you wish to participate in the prompt then you can access it & the accompanying video over at the prompt link below: 👇👇😁😁

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/03/23/reenas-xploration-challenge-273/

ON A DIFFERENT WAVELENGTH: Reena’s Xploration Challenge #272

For this week’s Xploration Challenge Reena has encouraged us to: “choose to do any of the following.”:

1. Choose at least two words from the above in your piece.

• Guess the theme and use it.

• Use synonyms of two words in case these words do not appeal to you

Or use the theme and/or words in any other manner you like.”

I have chosen the words: “wavelength“; “trance” & “hypnosis“. Below lies my contribution to the prompt, hope ye enjoy the read! 🤞🙏😁📖

ON A DIFFERENT WAVELENGTH

I came into the sitting room
And turned on the radio
I then adjusted the dial
Till it arrived at my favourite station
(That played hits from the 70’s & 80’s)
It was smack bang in the middle of
Video Killed the Radio Star
Blasting out over the stereo
With it’s own thumping hypnotic beat
If was infectious
Or at least I thought so anyways.
It just left my daughter
In a turned off; trance like state
She sighed
That bored; uninterested sigh
Mumbled “this is rubbish”
Under her breath
And turned off the radio
“Hey” I said
But it was too late
By this stage she had
Plugged her headphones into her I-phone
And turned up the volume
Then again,
We never were on the same wavelength
Were we love?

Should you wish to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link below: 👇👇😁😁

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/03/16/reenas-xploration-challenge-272/

SUNDAY BLOG RECAP

Hey folks! It’s long overdue but welcome back to my Sunday Blog Recap with links to all the blogs I posted during the previous week. Especially designed for those of you who have busy lives outside of the WordPress blogosphere. So without further ado, let’s get cracking! 👍😁

On Monday; Wednesday; Friday & Saturday morning I shared 4 motivational running quotes with ye. You’ll find the links to them below: 👇

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/06/running-owning-the-road/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/08/running-lets-go/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/10/running-seeking-out-new-sights-under-your-own-power/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/11/running-for-those-who-keep-going/?preview=true

Also on Monday, I posted my 1st poetic offering of the week titled: “Furry Fashion Accessory” written in response to Sadje’s latest #WhatDoYouSee #WDYS Poetry Image Prompt. Here’s the link to it:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/06/furry-fashion-accesory-sadjes-whatdoyousee-wdys-poetry-image-prompt-176/?preview=true

On Tuesday I published 2 new poems titled: “A STILTED INHALE OF AIR” & “MAGICAL HIDEAWAY; TRICK OF REFLECTION written in response to d’Verse’s latest Quadrille Prompt & Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge respectively. The links to them are below: 👇👇👇

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/a-stilted-inhale-of-air-dverse-quadrille-171-gasp/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/magical-hideaway-trick-of-reflection-tanka-tuesday-poetrychallenge-310/?preview=true

Then on Wednesday I composed a poem in honour of INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY titled Woman (More To You Than Meets The Eye). You’ll find the link to it here:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/08/woman-more-to-you-than-meets-the-eye-international-womens-day/?preview=true

On Thursday I published my 5th & 6th poems of the week titled: SERIOUS PLAY OR SILLY REDISCOVERY: d’Verse Poetics Prompt (Playtime) & STAINED CERAMICS; CAFFEINATED BURN: Weave Written Weekly: w3 Prompt #45 respectively. You’ll find the links to them below:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/09/serious-play-or-silly-rediscovery-dverse-poetics-prompt-playtime/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/09/stained-ceramics-caffeinated-burn-weave-written-weekly-w3-prompt-45/?preview=true

Lastly but by no means the least I published my final poem of the week titled: “A Timorous Type of Equity” written in response to Reena’s latest Xploration Challenge. Here’s the link to it:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/03/11/a-timorous-type-of-equity-ragtag-daily-prompt-friday-reenas-xploration-challenge-271/?preview=true

Well, that’s all for this week folks! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blog. 🙏😁 Sincerely hope ye enjoyed the catch up! 🤞🤞🙏🙏 Until next Sunday, mind yourselves; stay creative and take care!

A TIMOROUS TYPE OF EQUITY: Ragtag Daily Prompt Friday; Reena’s Xploration Challenge #271

For today’s Ragtag Daily Prompt, Martha Kennedy has given us the word: Timorous as our poetic inspiration for today. I’ll be combining this prompt with the latest: Reena’s Xploration Challenge asking us to #EmbraceEquity

A TIMOROUS TYPE OF EQUITY

“No, I don’t just want equality”
Rachel blurted out suddenly
Stopping her boss Tim in his tracks.
“What did you say?”
Tim snapped in return.
Annoyed at the temerity of her interuption
“I. I. I. Eh…”
He strode angrily towards her.
And asked her again.
“Well?! What did you just say Miss O’Brien?”
I said….
Her voice now trembling & timorous
“We… don’t… We don’t just want equality,
We want equity!”
“What?!”
He retorted!
“Not just equal opportunities for job progression
But the resources & the training to back it up!”
Her voice in full flow now & growing in confidence.
“I mean, there’s no point in saying we’re all equal and then continuing to hand out jobs & promotions to the boys.
When we’re perfectly capable of doing the same thing!”
There was no stopping her now.
Tim stood there completely flummoxed
And unusually, lost words!
Rachel had never spoken up before
She was normally so timid & reserved.
He didn’t know whether to fire her on the spot
Or applaud her for her boldness
He’d always tried to encourage her to speak up a bit more and express her opinion!
It’d be foolish now to sack/give out to her for the very thing he wanted her to do.
Never mind be utterly demoralising to her self-confidence.
“Thanks very much Rachel!
Your points are well made & clearly expressed.
I will take them under due consideration for the up coming yearly review.
Now on to the next item on the agenda!”

Should you wish to participate in the prompts then you can access them through the following links below: 👇👇😁😁

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2023/03/10/rdp-friday-timorous/

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/03/09/reenas-xploration-challenge-271/

SUNDAY BLOG RECAP

Hey folks! Welcome back to my Sunday Blog Recap with links to all the blogs I posted during the previous week. Especially designed for those of you who have busy lives outside of the WordPress blogosphere! 🙏😁 Hope ye’re all having a wonderful weekend! 🤞🙏😊 So without further ado we’ll get cracking with it!

On Monday; Wednesday; Friday & Saturday morning I shared 4 motivational running quotes with ye that, hopefully inspired ye! Here’s the links to them:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/20/running-easy-to-quit-hard-to-keep-going-remind-yourself-why-you-do-it/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/22/running-escape-peace-freedom/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/running-melting-away-your-worries-with-timeless-beauty/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/25/running-embracing-who-you-are-its-in-your-dna/?preview=true

On Tuesday I published 2 new poems written in response to Sadje’s latest #WhatDoYouSee #WDYS Poetry Image Prompt & d’Verse’s latest Quadrille Prompt respectively. You’ll find the links to them below:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/21/setting-our-words-on-fire-sadjes-whatdoyousee-wdys-poetry-image-prompt-174/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/21/spinning-around-our-world-dverse-quadrille-music-is-my-refuge/?preview=true

Then on Wednesday I published my 3rd poetic offering of the week with my response to d’Verse’s latest Poetics Prompt encouraging us to compose a poem on the theme of kisses & kissing. Here’s the link to it:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/22/a-tender-kiss-of-intimate-desire-dverse-poetics-prompt-prelude-to-a-kiss/?preview=true

On Thursday we made a welcome return to my Throwback Thursday series of Poetry Readings which this week featured a recitation of “Paint Me A Picture (With Words).” This was followed up later in the day by last poem of the week titled: “The Ultimate Question” written in response to a picture prompt at Reena’s Xploration Challenge #268. You’ll find the links to them below:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/23/throwback-thursday-poetry-readings-painting-pictures-with-words/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/23/the-ultimate-question-reenas-xploration-challenge-268/?preview=true

We finished off the week’s blog posts with a blog on my favourite poetry quotes that provoked much thought & debate which is exactly the point of it all. It’s titled: “Poetry: A Withheld Form of Clarity or Misunderstood Communication”. The link to it is here:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/poetry-a-withheld-form-of-clarity-or-misunderstood-communication/?preview=true

So folks, that’s it for the catch up this week. Thanks very much for stopping by & reading the post. Hope ye all enjoyed the Recap, tell your friends about my blog and tune back in next week for more of the same. 😁🙏😊🤞

THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: Reena’s Xploration Challenge #268

For this week’s Xploration Challenge, Reena has provided us with the intriguing image below for our inspiration. Hope ye enjoy my response to it! 🙏🤞😁📖

THE ULTIMATE QUESTION

Heads bowed
Deep in thought,
People of all colours
Race; religions
Gender & background,
Gathered together
In the circle of life
Pondering…
Life’s ultimate question!
What is the meaning of it all?

Should you wish to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link below: 👇👇👇

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/02/16/reenas-xploration-challenge-268/

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT; GIFT OF NEW LIFE: d’Verse Poetics PROMPT/Reena’s Xploration Challenge #267

For this week’s Reena’s Xploration Challenge, Reena’s given us the following phrase as a prompt for our creative inspiration: “in that one moment”.

And for this week’s d’Verse Poetics Prompt, Ingrid has invited us to open up those hidden; unrecognised gifts in our lives and write a poem on the subject of Hidden Gifts. Hope ye enjoy the read! 🙏🤞😁📖 Below lies my contribution to the prompts: 👇👇👇

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT; GIFT OF NEW LIFE

Pacing up and down the hospital corridor, I waited nervously for the doctor to call me in to the theatre.
My wife was about to give birth but the doctors had to prepare her for her cesarean section.
After what seemed like an age, a doctor finally came out and beckoned me in.
A screen had been erected between me and the section to allow for some dignity for my wife but I got to hold her hand through the procedure
And then they lifted Grace up so we could see her.
Calm as you like
Covered in nothing but amniotic fluid
Words failed me, failed us both
And I welled up with tears
In that one moment, I knew
My life would never be the same
The most special gift
I’d ever received
Came, not wrapped in paper,
Bought with money
Or packed in a box
But carved out of your mother’s womb.

Should you wish to participate in the prompts then you can access it through the following links below: 👇👇👇

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/02/09/reenas-xploration-challenge-267/

https://dversepoets.com/

BLOG GOALS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Morning folks! Hope ye all had a lovely weekend! 🤞🙏😁 Welcome back to my weekly Blog Goals for the Week Ahead where I set out my blog schedule and creative goals for the coming week. So, without further ado.

First up today, after this blog of course, will be my 1st motivational running quote of the week followed by 3 more on Wednesday; Friday & Saturday morning. Hope they will inspire you all in some way. 🤞🙏🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️😁

Then tomorrow, I plan to publish 2 poems for ye’re enjoyment. The first one of which will be titled AFFECTIONATELY HEADSTRONG inspired by my youngest girl: Ava! 😁 This will be followed by my response to Sadje’s latest #WhatDoYouSee #WDYS Poetry Image Prompt. If you want to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link:

https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2023/02/06/what-do-you-see-14/

On Wednesday, I hope to publish another poem which will be written in response to d’Verse’s latest Quadrille Prompt.

Then on Thursday, I plan to recite the poem I wrote around this time last year titled LOVE IS… for my Throwback Thursday series of Poetry Readings which for the next 3 weeks is going to feature readings on the subject of love & loss. Then later in the day I’ll be posting my response to d’Verse’s latest Poetics Prompt

On Friday I hope to respond to some of the other prompts on here such as Moonwashed Weekly Prompt; Reena’s Xploration Challenge &/or WeaveWrittenWeekly over at the Skeptic’s Kaddish. And maybe return to my Poetry Quotes reflection blog?!

On Saturday, we’ll have one more poem for the Week which will be followed up by my regular Blog Recap on Sunday with links to all the blogs I posted during the previous week. Hope you enjoyed the read and come back next Monday for more of the same. 🤞🙏😁📖

TIME FLIES: Reena’s Xploration Challenge #266

For this week’s Reena’s Xploration Challenge, Reena has given us some images on the concept of time as a source of creative inspiration for us. Below lies my contribution: 👇👇👇

TIME FLIES

Time flies
When you’re having fun
But still goes by
When you’re having none
The clock is ticking
While the earth is spinning
Around our glorious; smiling sun
Time heals
All wounds, they say
Have yet to see
How that really plays
Out
The clock is ticking
While the earth is spinning
Around our glorious; smiling sun
Time is free
You can never lack
You can’t keep
It or get it back
The clock is ticking
While the earth is spinning
Around our glorious; smiling sun

Should you wish to participate in the prompt then you can access it through the following link: 👇👇👇

https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/02/02/reenas-xploration-challenge-266/

SUNDAY BLOG RECAP

Afternoon folks! Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend! 🙏🤞😁 Welcome back to my weekly Blog Recap with links to all the blogs I posted during the previous week. Especially designed for those of you who have busy lives outside of the WordPress blogosphere. So, without further ado.

On Monday; Wednesday; Friday morning and Saturday evening I shared 4 motivational running quotes with ye. Here’s the links to them:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/16/running-the-frustration-of-an-injury/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/18/road-running-unreasonably-crazy/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/20/running-bad-weather-good-time-to-run-dont-wait/?preview=true

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/21/running-we-dont-hibernate-or-stand-still-we-run-on-our-outdoor-threadmill/?preview=true

Also on Monday I published the 1st of my poems for the Week titled EYE’VE BEEN WATCHING YOU written in response to Sadje’s latest #WhatDoYouSee #WDYS Poetry Image Prompt

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/16/eyeve-been-watching-you-sadjes-whatdoyousee-wdys-poetry-image-prompt-169/?preview=true

No posts on Tuesday but on Wednesday I published my 2nd poem of the week titled RUNNING INTO THE BLIZZARD composed in response to d’Verse’s latest Poetics Prompt: The Blizzard of the Self

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/18/running-into-the-blizzard-dverse-poetics-prompt-the-blizzard-of-the-self/?preview=true

Then on Thursday I posted my 3rd poetic offering of the week titled INDISPOSABLE TIME written in response to that day’s Ragtag Daily Prompt

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/19/indisposable-time-ragtag-daily-prompt-disposable/?preview=true

This was followed up later in the day by d’Verse’s Prosery Prompt: EVERYTHING IS STITCHED challenging us to write a piece of fiction based on a given line of poetry. It’s titled: STITCHED IN BLUE and the link to it is below:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/19/stitched-in-blue-dverse-prosery-everything-is-stitched/?preview=true

On Friday I published my final poem of the week titled THE TWO FACES OF NEW BEGINNINGS composed in response to Reena’s Xploration Challenge (Janus: The god of January) and Moonwashed Weekly Prompts (Evolve) respectively. Here’s the link to it:

https://kenhume31.wordpress.com/2023/01/20/the-two-faces-of-new-beginnings-reenas-xploration-challenge-264/?preview=true

That’s us all up to date for this week folks! 👍 Thanks so much for stopping by and joining me on my catch up, hope ye enjoyed the read! 🤞🙏😁📖