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Tag Archives: dailyprompt-1904


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Describe one positive change you have made in your life. – Asks the daily prompt.

Two years ago, I answered this question by saying I made a healthy body weight. Glad to say I’ve kept that up.

Today I’ll answer by saying retirement was a positive change I made. I’m so glad I did and I wish I could have done it sooner. I worked hard for almost 6 decades and I had enough by my mid 60s but was worried about funds so I continued to work a bit longer. Fortunately for me the company offered a buyout.

Now retirement isn’t for everyone as I’ve found out. Many continue to work of their own choice. Some by necessity. I’m one who has embraced retirement and will use the time to pursue a second career, enjoy life and relax a bit.

Won’t be much longer till I’ll be doing some ZZZ’s here. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ve moved away from technology to more creative efforts. I’ve moved from a harried pace to a hammock.


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Change

Describe one positive change you have made in your life. – A softball question from the daily writing prompt.

At a young age I was developing a serious drinking problem. For close to a decade, I was a heavy drinker. My better half helped me get a grip on it and I’ve been fine since. I didn’t have a drop for about 2 decades after that.

I might have a shot with the boys once in a great while. Or a frozen cocktail while on vacation at the beach but nothing else. Drinking was almost like a competition sport with our group. And I was pretty good at leading the pack.

Booze and I are not a good combination. I’m not a mean drunk, quite the happy one in fact, but it would take over my life. For it almost cost me the most wonderful woman in the world. And I’m not taking that chance again.

The shots I do now are at the range. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Change

The Daily Writing prompt asks me to – Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

Getting to a healthy body weight has been my most recent positive change. I shaved off about 30-35 lbs and I feel and look better. It was long overdue. I could still take off another ten and have a few times since I lost the bulk of it, but that looked a little too thin.

In some ways, it was hard and easy at the same time. Adjust the intake and increase the exercise. The hard part was giving up the soda. I love drinking Cokes. I would pound 6-8 of them a day. I allow myself 1 a day now. In the morning when I have time to enjoy it and a little kick to start the day.

Just like most things in life for me, it’s a mindset. Are I going to do it or not? I slip occasionally from smart food choices but as long as most of them are correct, it’s easy for me, to maintain a healthy weight. Some days I’ll exercise more to allow for a small bowl of ice cream or an extra soda.

Now keep in mind, this is not an easy thing for most people. One thing I learned or at least hear repeatedly is that it’s easier for men to lose excess weight than women.

Also many suffer from eating disorders and physical metabolism issues or medicines that affect weight. It wasn’t a stigma in my youth that it is today. Too much focus on perfection, when in reality we are all works of perfection as we change throughout our lives.

Just be healthy. Photo by Mike Hartley