Alive List

Dear Stranger,

I am writing to you today to inform you of the fact that I am considered overweight for my age. I weigh 161 pound. My leg hair grows too fast. I use tinted moisturizer regularly because my skin is a horrible shade of pink which does not tan. If I don't brush my teeth twice a day, my breath will smell horrible. I bite my nails when I get nervous. I have pimples on my back. I have a scar which stretches across the lower right hand side of my stomach from having my appendix removed when I was four years old. I have never known what it is like to have a nice figure. My hair frizzes in the rain. My hands are tiny. My face is too round. My feet smell if I don't wear socks. I always spend my money on the wrong things. I have a birthmark on the back of my neck. I don't like the taste of lamb. I fall in love with someone new every day. I hate it when people step on snails for fun. I feel like my family would be happier without me here. My lips dry up too quickly. I write a lot and always have a little bit of ink on the finger beside my pinky. When bad things happen to me, I don't think about them and pretend like they never happened. I don't have many girly clothes. I act like I don't care what people think, but I really do. I don't have the confidence to leave my house without wearing makeup. I get really bad hay fever. I always forget to make my bed. I rarely bring a library book back on time. I don't like writing in blue ink. Pastel colours look silly on me. I have a ring that belonged to my Nana that I wear every single day.

I am alive and so are you.

This isn't a letter to address all of my flaws. It's proof that I'm alive. That I have something to be thankful for because I'm human and because I eat and sleep and excrete and convert oxygen into carbon dioxide and feed my dog and buy goods and laugh and cry and love and hate and read and fall over.

I am alive. And so are you.

Now it's your turn.- Make a list. Not of pros or cons or reasons why you love yourself or hate yourself or anybody else. Just pure, solid evidence that you are alive. Breathing. You can put it somewhere public, hide it, give it to a friend, keep it for yourself. Whatever you like. It's your list and your life. You'real. WORTHWHILE.

Love life and love yourself.
You deserve it.

~R.E.B.C.

A bit past September...

Hey there Stranger,

I hope you are having a lovely day and that this letter finds you well! I am having a wonderful day myself, especially because we are standing on the very beginning of fall! Do you love fall? I hope you do! I absolutely love it!

There's something magical about it, ya know? The air grows crisp and cool, the leaves change and fall, and of course I can't forget football. :) Do you like football? I'm a huge fan of it!

I hope you know how incredible you are! You are never alone. You are beautiful. You are valued. And you are so important.

Happy September, my friend!

Anonymous

Writing Prompt Wednesday #6

Tell us about a book or poem that changed your life.

A Murdered Friend

Dear Stranger,

Hi. How is your day going? I'm going to tell you about something that has been eating at me & hopefully you'll listen... or continue reading.

So last Monday my friend was murdered. He was walking home & BOOM. Someone shot him. It's a shame when anyone gets killed like this, but I believed this guy was going to change the world. You would too if you knew him. It's been 4 days since he died, & and I'm still wondering "Why?"

Why does God or whoever is up there decide to take people like that? Quite frankly, I'm not so sure there is anyone up there anymore. If there was, this wouldn't have happened.

If you have lost someone, then  you know how it feels. If you haven't then  you couldn't possibly understand the pain. Geeze, I sound like the begininning of a Lemony Snicket novel. I will try to explain what losing someone is like: it is like hearing every goodbye you've never been told. I hope that was an adequate explanation.

If there's one thing I can tell you that I've learned from him it was to be kind. Be gentle & rought at the same time. Be spontaneous with a dash of planning. Decide to save the world and work to do it. Never EVER settle for "Good enough." You deserve more than mediocrity. Put your best foot forward & even if you fail it doesn't matter. What matters is the feeling you get when you accomplished something truly amazing. No dream is ever out of your reach if you want it enough.

Most of all he taught me that one person really can make a difference & you really should appreciate everyone in your life. You never know what you have until it's gone alright. So that was more than one thing. Doesn't he sound amazing though? He was & you would have loved him. I don't even need to know you to tell you that.

Hopefully, I made a difference in your life even if it was just for today. I hope you have a great & full life! Also, please know that just by writing you, you have helped me with this healing process. Thank you so much.

With all the love in the entire world,

Anonymous

Baby Moose

Dearest Stranger,

I hope this letter finds you well... I want you to know that you are special, and hat you can do anything you set your mind to. It took me a great deal of trial and error to learn that for myself. For too long, I allowed family, significant others, and "friends" to pull me down with negativity.

But you know what? We only have one change to be here - one life to live. So live. Live your life the way you want. - the way that fills your heart with love, joy, and pride. Know that there is someone who believes in you, who believes in your dreams and aspirations.

I wish you happiness, love, and I wish for you peace of mind. You are unique... (((Hugs))) Smile!

Love,

Me

Writing Prompt Wednesday #5

Write a poem about the changing seasons.

Writing Prompts

A collection of Wednesday Writing Prompts to challenge and inspire you:

• Share a story about the life of the oldest person you know.

• Recall a time when a stranger helped you, improved your life, or brightened your day.

• If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?

• Tell the tale of a turning point in your life.

• Write a poem about the changing seasons.

• Tell us about a book or poem that changed your life.
  
  
• Write a letter about a recent lesson life has taught you.