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Hello friends,
Life consists of all types of personal challenges. Some arise from self-imposed constraints that we create. Other, more serious challenges rarely come with advanced notice or a user's guide.
What intrigues us about public challenges?
Another type of challenge invites us to participate in personal or community contests and competitions. Challenges have raised money for causes such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the March of Dimes, and Danny Thomas’s annual telethon for muscular dystrophy.
I’ve noticed new types of challenges in my areas of interest. I’ve seen a photo-a-day for 30 days, read 100 books in a year, write a blog post every day in May, walk two miles for 30 days, and write a novel in November.
The common denominator for these challenges consists of a specific timeframe and action or task that stretches our comfort zone. Sometimes, the promoters of these events attach a reward, usually public recognition for our accomplishments. But the main goal only requires us to challenge ourselves.
I came across a few different types of writing prompts that asked you to condense thoughts and ideas to a mere six words or a single statement. That seemed much easier than 30 days of anything.
At least it seemed easy. Pick a photograph and tell a story about it in six words. I lingered on that one for quite a while always coming up with one or two words more than the limit of six. I’m a wordy person. Six words?
I found myself weighing the meaning of every word. Changing one word would change the story. I didn’t anticipate how using less and creating boundaries would force me to dig a little deeper in my creative well.
I’ve shared my six-word story below and will continue to challenge myself with brevity and succinctness. However, I’ll draw the line at Triathlons and marathons. A brisk walk, bike ride, or yoga is all I need.
Do you have a favorite challenge to stretch yourself?
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