Think of musical performances you have seen . . . either movies or live performances. Which one resonates with you?

Which character in a musical do you identify with? 

Imagine you are sitting on a lovely porch. It could be your porch where you live now. Or a porch you remember. Or a porch you imagine.

See yourself sitting on a porch, perhaps in a rocking chair, or a wicker chair, or a cushy upholstered chair.

You have been asked to memorize something while you relax on your porch. What do you memorize and why?

For this prompt . . . let’s get comfortable. Settle into your chair. Make any adjustments you need to make to feel relaxed.

Take a deep breath in. Hold. Let your breath out.

Repeat: Deep breath in. Hold. Relax breath out.

Put your hand over your heart. Deep breath in. Hold. Release breath.

Think of one word from your heart. The uppermost feeling or thought you are experiencing right now. Just one word.

When I remember where I originally saw this idea, I’ll give credit here.

The second part of this prompt is thanks to my amazing friend and writing teacher, Susan Bono.

The quiet of knowing

The song of regret

The taste of heartbeat

Prompt: Make a list using that pattern.

If you want, you can incorporate your one word from when you had your hand over your heart.

Write about your favorite things.

Whenever I hear the phrase “favorite things,” I think of the song in “Sound of Music,” . . . “My Favorite Things,” sung by Julie Andrews.

Write about some of your favorite things.

Write about wants versus needs.

Have you discovered something you thought you needed, but found out it was really a “want?”

Are there things you now know you can do without?

Write about how your “wants” change in different circumstances.

What are you grateful for?

What makes you lose track of time?

What brings you peace?

Write about a place, a time, a moment, or a situation where you found peace.

Write about a kindness someone showed you.

Or write about a kind thing you did for someone.

Or a kindness you saw.