This
meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Words for Wednesday are
now provided by a number of people and has become a moveable feast.
Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice of prompts,which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do with them is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem or treating them with ignore. We can use some or all of the prompts.
Some of us put our creations on the post and others post on their own blog. I would really like as many people as possible to join the meme, which includes cheering on other participants (definitely the more the merrier). If you are posting on your own blog, please let me know so that I, and the other participants, can come along and applaud.
This month Cindi is providing them, but has asked that they appear here, instead of on her blog. Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice of prompts,which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do with them is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem or treating them with ignore. We can use some or all of the prompts.
Some of us put our creations on the post and others post on their own blog. I would really like as many people as possible to join the meme, which includes cheering on other participants (definitely the more the merrier). If you are posting on your own blog, please let me know so that I, and the other participants, can come along and applaud.
This week's prompt is:
You have the ability to mentally hear the honest answer to any question just by looking at the person and thinking the question. It was all fun and games until you looked in the mirror and asked a question you shouldn't have. What was the answer?
Have fun.
Hmm, this seems a little more difficult - and perhaps better not to answer too honestly! Let me think about it.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I agree. Cindi is really testing us. I struggled with this one.
DeleteLooking into the mirror I asked myself whether I was using or abusing this power. Sadly I have to admit that I am abusing it. I didn't like the answer but accept the truth of it. I am not improving anyone's life. It isn't fun and games but it is manipulative and an invasion of other people's privacy. The only person I should be subjecting to this 'honesty audit' is myself.
ReplyDeleteWow!
DeleteSimilar to the direction i went, and well said.
DeleteYes, true that, and short and to the point.
DeleteWell done EC - an answer to a difficult prompt ... one I certainly need to think about. Thanks for setting the standards for us ... stay safe - Hilary
DeleteAs always, you nail it perfectly, Sue.
DeleteExcellent Sue. I really don't know if I can do this as well.
DeleteWell said. It is nice to fantasize about such 'gifts' occasionally, but I think the reality could be far more dangerous than we realise. Let's leave it as a fantasy.
DeleteI agree with your take on this one. As much as I often wish people would be more honest, I think a power like that would be rotten for all parties.
DeleteVery interesting!
Deletewell done. I don't think I would like this ability any more than I would like to be able to hear other people's thoughts. my own are enough.
DeleteI agree with your answer Elephant's Child. A thought provoking question well answered.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: Thank you. I loathe the idea of anyone knowing what is in my head - and the opposite is also true.
DeleteThis is a hard hard question. Will have to give it some thought. Your answer is great though.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I look forward to seeing where your thoughts take you.
DeleteThis is super difficult! I think I prefer the fun and games :)
ReplyDeleteLooking into the mirror and scrutinising the waistline I asked myself - how many steps taken today? and the answer was - not enough. But I'll do better tomorrow.
In this case, there is tomorrow.
DeleteFun and games for me as well, thanks, But you wrote well.
DeleteNilanjana Bose: Sadly the truth of my need to eat less/exercise more needs no special powers. Love your take on this difficult prompt though.
DeleteI thought of this but will have to rethink.
DeleteWell done Nila ... thankfully my mirror is at head height! Stay safe both of you ... Hilary
Deletenicely done. I consider my exercise to be the number of times I climb between upstairs and down with a particular task in mind, only to be distracted by something else once I arrive.
DeleteInteresting that you asked whatbthe answer was, not the question!
ReplyDeleteI will have to think about it.
Sandi: I hope that you come back to share the results of your thinking.
DeleteBut the question is, will you hear the answer or hear what you think the answer should be.
ReplyDeleteKnowing too much is not that great. I know. lol
Ann Bennett: Ignorance isn't bliss either. Another area where the happy medium is best? I hope that the special powers do reveal the truth. I really hope that.
DeleteOops. I didn't answer correctly. The question I asked is "Are you closer to death than birth?" The answer is no.
ReplyDeleteNot so fun, but a good exercise.
Thank you.
Take care, and go easier on yourself, EC.
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DeleteWill the person in the mirror ever get this right? She doesn't want to admit that she's likely a lot closer to death than her birth. Sigh. Sorry for all that wasted space. The old brain cells act accordingly.
DeleteNot something most of us want to face.
DeleteRawknrobyn: I am quite comfortable knowing that death is closer than my birth. The thought of living to a hundred (much less well over it fills me with horror). I really like your take on the prompt though.
DeleteFascinating prompt, mine will be over here.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I have read and thoroughly enjoyed your piece.
DeleteLoved it!
DeleteI don't ask questions of myself if possible the answers are not alway to my liking if someone else asks a question you have the option to tell the truth or not but to yourself a lie is never possible.
ReplyDeleteMerle.........
Merlesworld: I think a lot of people can and do lie to themselves.
DeleteWell now that is thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: It is, isn't it?
DeleteThe prompt this week is longer than the answer I think.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Perhaps. I am looking forward to seeing where it takes your fertile and creative mind.
DeleteThe answer is blowing in the wind.
ReplyDeleteMike: But can you harness that power?
DeleteI liked this answer and reply:)
DeleteStill thinking...
ReplyDeleteashok: I hope you will share where your thoughts take you.
DeleteOf course I fell for the temptation to put some magic into this story. Here's my Words for Wednesday. This prompt sure leads to gloomy or downright depressing stories.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I really, really liked your infusion of magic.
DeleteI enjoyed your story very much!
DeleteI have no idea, lol! 😜 I'm so bad at these games, lmao! 🙄
ReplyDeleteHot guys: Cindi's prompts are making my brain hurt - which is probably a good thing. Exercise. Brain buffers...
DeleteI guess you're right about that! 🤷♂️
DeleteI have had a stab at this a few times now, but I have to admit defeat. I just can't wrap my head around it somehow, and the one passable submission I came up with smacked of too personal a confession. I will have to pass this week,
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am sorry to read this, but totally understand. I hope that next week's prompt is more to your taste.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDavid, I apologise for my slip-up above - put my contribution in the wrong place. No 'nasty comment' has been removed.
DeleteNo problem. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
DeleteLaurie: It is a fascinating (and scary) concept isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI looked at the mirror on the wall
ReplyDeleteAnd asked: Who is the fairest one of all?
And the mirror replied …
I asked again, Who is the fairest one of all?
And the mirror replied …
...
...
...
... Hang on, I’m still thinking ….
SpikesBestMate: Smiling, though I suspect teh mirror would not have to think long (or at all) to return the response 'not you' if it was me asking that question.
DeleteCiao EC, buon giovedi.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: Thank you - and to you. It is sunny, but on the cool side here. And some would say cold rather than cool.
DeleteI covered all the mirrors in the house and even took care when driving not to see my reflection. My mind was filled with so many questions and the answer to all of them was "yes." I didn't want to face the truth. I didn't want to commit to knowing. They say ignorance is bliss, and it's true because so often the one we lie to the most is ourselves. But not anymore. Now when I looked at my reflection, I saw the truth. I heard the truth, and it hurt.
ReplyDeleteHe's been having an affair for a while now, hasn't he?
Yes.
He's using drugs again, isn't he?
Yes.
I'll have to move again, won't I?
Yes.
I'll probably be alone when I die, won't I?
Yes.
Sometimes, it was better to pretend to be ignorant to avoid the pain. Admitting he was having an affair again meant that I had been a fool again, that he had been lying to me for almost a year, maybe longer. It meant that I had been waiting, hoping, trusting, believing ... for nothing. And that was the question I really didn't want to know the answer to. Was it all for nothing? Had I lost everything, given up friends, sold cherished items ... for nothing?
Yes.
Cindi Summerlin: Hard as those answers are, they give you the chance to live a truthful life, rather than one which supports/enables him in his lies. Heartfelt hugs.
DeleteSad - but somehow the last question will need to be answered differently ... not necessarily - a new life is ahead; it may be difficult ... but it'll be free to be itself. There's always hope ... H
DeleteThank you both for your words. I am thinking at times now that *he* was the nothing. I saw something recently that said something similar to this: "If you do not miss what you have lost, you haven't lost anything." I can't remember exactly how it went, but it was exactly what I felt.
DeleteYour answer is a super good and thoughtful one. Even though I'd like to look at the kids and think, 'did you do your homework to the best of your ability?' it is probably better sometimes not to know. ;) Mine would be...'Do you really look like a grandma to others now (I am a grandma!)? The 'yes, ma'ams' I get from others already lets me know. ;)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: It is a hard one isn't it? And yes, I hear you on the aging front as well.
DeleteI don't mind so much but it still surprises me sometimes. I don't feel like I look, that's for sure. :) All a part of life. I feel blessed to have reached this part of my life. It is a gift. Have a beautiful day!
Deletemail4rosey: You too. Enjoy that gift - and your day.
DeleteHi EC and Cindi …
ReplyDeleteIf I looked in a mirror and asked a question – I’d probably have to hire a psychologist for a few years … don’t unleash the powers beyond the mirror!! Thankfully I don’t go that route, or need to …
Take care and stay safe - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I avoid mirrors. And hear you on the psychologist front. Stay well, stay safe.
DeleteSomething to think about!
ReplyDeleteNatalia: I believe that Cindi's prompt has given lots of us things to consider.
DeleteShe looked into the mirror "Am I a witch" she asked.
ReplyDeleteYes
Jo: Much better than being a witch with a b. Sadly that answer would be in the affirmative here to sometimes.
Delete"Was it really my fault?" :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: The emoticon suggests it is. Which is sad.
Delete"Did I make a disastrously wrong decision?"
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: I hope not. I really hope not.
Delete"Who am I?"
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: And what did the mirror tell you?
Delete"Figure it out!" I guess that is as good an answer as could be.
DeleteSusan Kane: That makes sense - and sadly I still don't know what the answer is.
DeleteI asked the question of myself...was I happy...was I feeling on top of the world? I had no need to ask the question...I already knew the answer
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes!
DeleteLee: Hooray for having only rhetorical questions to ask of the mirror.
DeleteI have to thingking a lot
ReplyDeleteJustcherry: Cindi made a lot of us think this week - which is a good thing.
DeleteHave a wondrous weekend.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: You too dear friend. You too.
DeleteLooking in the mirror and asking why I dislike myself so much, the reply was unexpected...you were born imperfect in order to develop compassionate empathy for others...
ReplyDeleteYgraine: Unexpected that answer may be - but it makes sense. Empathy is one of your defining characteristics.
DeletePhew, that's a powerful one.
ReplyDeleteJo: It is, isn't it. And Ygraine's poetry reverberates with her empathy.
DeleteOh we are communicating all the time, dear! Thanks
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I am endlessly grateful to the blogosphere which allows me to communicate with kindred souls half a world away.
DeleteBuon fine settimana.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: And to you and yours.
DeleteI have been thinking, over the weekend, and yes, it hurt. If I am not mistaken, this challenge is Words for Wednesday, not pictures or ideas for Wednesday. Therefore the last two prompts were really not appropriate in my opinion. If everyone else is happy with them, OK.
ReplyDeleteJo: The Words for Wednesday prompts can include images or music. Cindi has stepped out of familiar territory this month. Her prompts I have certainly found challenging but not inappropriate. I expect that next month we will return to a more usual pattern, but will wait and see.
Delete