Would you prefer a long boring life or a short adventurous one?

Facing a pack of wolves while on a hike, climbing up a mountain in subzero temperatures, chasing dangerous criminals, investing in the stock market… these are all examples of a lifestyle a writer would prefer to experience from behind a laptop. The question of lifestyle preferences is what got me thinking: would you prefer a long, boring life or a short, adventurous one?

Daily writing prompt
What bores you?
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The answer to that question, of course, depends on the answer to another question: what bores you? As you know, I’m a writer, so I get excited over a new book to read, and I’m happy when I have the perfect cup of tea to enjoy during a quiet afternoon. I prefer to read about other people’s adventures exploring the Amazon Rainforest, crossing the North Sea, or discovering who (or what) lives in that haunted house across the street.

There is a line in the movie Troy which I don’t remember word for word, but it goes something like this: Achilles’s mother says if he doesn’t fight at Troy, he can have a family and his children and grandchildren will remember him for a few generations before his name disappears. He can have a long, predictable life. If he fights at Troy, he will die young but he will be remembered for thousands of years as a gallant soldier and hero.

Some people want to take risks to do what they love, such as climbing Mount Everest, traveling to risky destinations around the world, or participating in risky sports.

Some people can’t take risks or do whatever they want because they have children, a spouse, or aging parents who depend on them. Sometimes the choice is ours, and sometimes it isn’t, depending on our life situation. People with responsibilities need to play it safe. They can’t risk their savings on cryptocurrency or invest thousands of dollars in a new startup company.

What one person thinks of as a boring life, another person does not. We don’t know what challenges another person is facing, such as disabilities that are invisible to us. Or a long-term illness. That reclusive neighbor who is always at home might be dealing with trauma, and it is a huge achievement just to go out with a few friends.

Some lives are cut short as a result of an accident or illness. But if they had a good life and they fought a good fight to keep going, it’s still a great life. Sometimes you don’t get to choose.

So is it better to live a long, boring life or a short and adventurous one? This would depend on what you want out of life. What is boring to you? What is fulfilling to you? Either choice is good. If you can look back on your life with a smile, then you’ve done well.

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How to Find True Friends: One of the Best Gifts I Ever Received

Daily writing prompt
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
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One of the best gifts I ever received was a bottomless wallet. When I first got it, I thought the money inside it was the best thing in the world, but instead, I discovered what the real gift was.

One day, I found an abandoned wallet on the street and opened it. Nothing was inside. My friend, standing across from me, said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a thousand dollars in there?” 

“Yes, but it’s empty,” I said, opening the wallet again to show her, and saw several bills inside. Hundreds of hundred dollar bills, totaling a thousand dollars. “I can’t believe it!” I exclaimed. 

“It’s magic!” My friend took the money out of my hand. “I’m buying a purse and some jewelry,” she said. “I can finally afford to!” And she ran off.

“Hey, wait for us!” I said. Stunned, I stared at the empty wallet in my hand.

“What if there’s a hundred-dollar bill in there?” My other friend was still standing around.

“No way.”

She took the wallet from my hand, opened it, and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. 

“Maybe you should ask for more money,” I said.

“No, this is enough,” she smiled. “Want to go get some food? Let’s celebrate our good luck with a fancy dinner,” she said.

Valentine’s Day: Some Interesting Facts and Humor

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s a day for everyone. If you’re single, make it a day for self-care and appreciating yourself. If you have a significant other, it’s a day to show that person how much you care about them. 

Here are some fun facts and Valentine’s Day jokes to bring a smile to your day.

What are some interesting facts about the history of Valentine’s Day? 

  • Fancy Boxes were decorated chocolates sold in heart-shaped boxes in 1868 for Valentine’s Day.
  • Early versions of printed Valentine’s Day cards appeared in the early 1900s. These cards were printed in factories.
  • The chalky, heart-shaped conversation candies that appear around Valentine’s Day were first created as lozenges. They became heart-shaped in 1902.
  • The remote ordering and delivery of flowers to loved ones was pioneered in 1910.
  • The slogan “A Diamond is Forever” first appeared in 1948 to introduce the idea that expensive jewelry expresses love.
  • In Korea, women give chocolates to men to show their affection on Valentine’s Day (February 14). On White Day (March 14), men return their affection to women with white gifts, such as white chocolate and lingerie (although dark chocolate and other colors and gifts are also accepted now). On Black Day (April 14), singles (who didn’t receive anything on Feb 14 or Mar 14) eat Jjajyangmyeon (Black Noodles) with their single friends. The first two occasions receive the most marketing and event promotion.

Valentine’s Day Humor

(Jokes from the internet)

What’s the best way to get a date for Valentine’s Day? 

Look at a calendar.

How do vampires know if they had a successful Valentine’s Day?

If it’s love at first bite.

How do you keep a jewelry store safe on Valentine’s Day?

You locket.

Why didn’t the skeleton want to send any Valentine’s Day cards?

His heart wasn’t in it.

What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine’s Day?

I’m stuck on you!

What did one plate say to the other on Valentine’s Day? 

Tonight, dinner’s on me.

The Best People to Be Around

Daily writing prompt
Who are your favorite people to be around?
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There is a saying: you are the average of the five people you hang around with the most. Do you think there is some truth to that?

I believe there is.

When you hang around people with similar values, attitudes, and beliefs, your opinions affect your relationships with these people. Hard workers will inspire you to work hard to chase your dreams. If you surround yourself with optimistic, open-minded people, you will be with others who are always open to trying new things or learning about new cultures and experiences. 

If you disagree with each other’s morals, either you will tolerate each other and avoid discussing your true feelings to keep the peace, or you will speak your mind and have disagreements. 

If you spend time with people at a similar stage in life, you will have more to talk about, such as sharing ideas about career advancement, parenting, relationships, or retirement plans. 

However, you can also have great relationships, whether professional or personal, with people at another stage in life if you have a lot of common values and interests. For example, if you join a book club, recreational sports team, or games group. 

The people who are my favorite to be around inspire me to be a better person. These are the type of people who always believe in you and are there to support you in achieving your goals. They will lift you up, not pull you down. They are trustworthy and reliable. You can count on them to be there on your best days and worst days.

My favorite people are those who respect who you are and don’t expect you to change to fit in with them. They know that people aren’t perfect and will forgive your mistakes and accept your genuine apologies. They will give you the benefit of the doubt. People are busy. They don’t know what you’re going through, so they will not jump to conclusions about you. They will take the time to get to know you and appreciate you for who you are.

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Happy Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon

Always have a reason to celebrate! Just one month into 2024 and it is another new year: lunar new year. It’s a time to think about prosperity, good fortune, and good health. It is also a time to visit family and enjoy good food (because we all like to eat).

Traditionally, the lunar new year is a time to pay off debts and clean the house. It’s a great reason to decorate the home and buy new clothes. Red is a popular color at this time of year.

It’s customary to have dinner with family. The younger generation receives lucky money in red envelopes from their parents and grandparents. Business managers may give bonuses in red packets. People indulge in traditional foods, such as dumplings and niango (cake).

This year, 2024, is the year of the dragon, more specifically, the wood dragon. The dragon symbolizes bravery, creativity, and innovation. The dragon is a lucky creature. You will see lions and dragons at celebrations at this time of year. People born in a year of the dragon (2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, etc) are charismatic, ambitious, adventurous, and fearless. 

Even if you don’t celebrate Lunar New Year, it’s a great reason to reflect on your own traditions, especially around what brings good luck and bad luck. It’s a chance to think about what new habits you want to develop going forward because this is a time for a new start.

What traditions will you continue in the months ahead? What new beginnings do you want in your life? What new goals will you achieve?

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