Lessons Learned? (a different kind of post)

Question Four: May I give you a penny for your thoughts?

Today someone asked me, “what do you think you are supposed to be learning through all this?” My response was, “if only I knew”; but really, what could I change by knowing? Some things can begin to change by knowing why they happen. Realizing that I am an emotional eater is a step in the right direction to begin to lose weight, but what would knowing why my husband lost his job thus eliminating our only income accomplish? Growth occurs because of hard times, and knowing the reason behind them won’t make them go away, only make them more frustrating.

POSTING STATS:
Rough Draft: 245 words
Draft 2: 152 words
Draft 3:128 words
Final: 100 words!

Life Satisfaction

Question Three: If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many of them do you think would be more satisfied with their life than you. What do you think makes you different than them? (this is another one from The Big Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D.)

If one hundred, twenty-four year olds were chosen at random, I think that fifteen would be more satisfied with their lives then I am, but it’s not a fair comparison. I am at a different stage of life than others my age, I have a husband and a son, and I haven’t had a chance to start my career yet. I don’t think that people in their mid-twenties are unhappy, but I don’t think they know what they want for right now yet either. I think that this is a time of searching, but that’s not where I am now.

POSTING STATS:
Rough Draft: 143 words
Draft 2: 88 words
Draft 3: 130 words
Draft 4: 105 words
Final: 100 words!

Exploring the World

Question Two: If you could spend one year exploring any country of the world, what would it be?

If I could spend an entire year exploring any one country of the world I would have to explore Italy. I love everything Italian; the food, the culture, the people, the language, the history; everything! I want to stand in the Coliseum, walk the cobblestone streets, explore the outdoor markets, I want to explore Rome, and Tuscany, and Naples. I want to be in a country as old as the world. I have always wanted to be Italian, and what better way to change my ethnicity than to spend a year in their country and live all things Italian! AMORE!

POSTING STATS:
Rough Draft: 91 words
Draft 2: 108 words
Draft 3: 95 words
FINAL: 100 words!

Experience vs. Memories

Question 1: If you could spend one year in perfect happiness but afterwards remember nothing of the experience would you do so? Why or why not? (this one comes from The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, PH.D.)

If I could spend one year in perfect happiness but remember nothing of the experience, I would do so in an instant. Perfect happiness to me is spending quality time with my family, and the lasting results of that are far more important than the memories. An entire year of relaxation would have infinite physiological benefits and a year spent with family would be wonderful for our relationships. I may forget when my son said his first word, or even what it was, but what’s important is that I was there when he said it and that it was said.

POSTING STATS:
Rough Draft: 104 words
Draft 2: 101 words
Draft 3: 96 words
Draft 4: 103 words
FINAL: 100 words!

Exactly 100 Words

Someone gave me a book of questions when I was 15 and suddenly, I fell in love with writing. I loved answering these questions, but at some point I decided I find my answer in exactly 100 words. These were, to me at 15, very deep questions and the book has stayed with me ever since. Looking at them now, however, they seem quite simple. I understand better now, what I believe and who I am. I do, however still have questions that I don’t know the answers to. I will find and answer new questions in 100 words, exactly.

POSTING STATS:
Rough Draft: 224 words
Draft 2: 109 words
Draft 3: 102 words
FINAL: 100 words!