Well, the WordPress powers that be have again initiated the Bloganuary challenge. The program is designed to trigger a writer’s thinking and challenges the writer to share those thoughts with others. This helps keep us moving forward and developing our talents.
Each day in January, WordPress challenges bloggers to write daily using prompts suggested by WordPress. The first challenge this year is the prompt below.
What are your biggest challenges?
Being overly analytical, my first thought was, “I won’t live long enough to write about this topic!” Then it hit me! That is my biggest challenge: the time I have left. That, and knowing what to do with it.
Yes! Regardless of age, health, or whatever, the biggest challenge is to realize your time is limited. That does not mean you throw caution to the wind and rush into places where others fear to tread. What it means is you need to decide what is most important: your wants, your needs, your wishes, or the desires of others.
I can still remember, as a young adult, thinking I would never live to see the year 2000. Thankfully, I did not let that morbid thought hold me back. So, here I am in 2024, writing this silly piece of philosophy for your reading pleasure.
I know more about my potential lifespan than I did when I was younger. Still, one cannot take anything for granted regarding such issues.
My doctor thinks I have at least twenty more years of waking up every morning if I take care of myself. Of course, no one knows when they will draw their last breath. After all, to quote a long-running television drama: “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”
The previous thought is true, with one exception. You can turn the hourglass over, and the sand keeps running. Life, at least earthly life, is not as easily extended.
My greatest challenge, and yours, is twofold. First, we need to accept our days are numbered without letting that interfere with living a full life. Second, we need to believe we can accomplish our goals and maybe even our dreams in the time we have left.
However, as with any journey, the final distance starts with one step and will not be finished if we do not continue taking steps.
Copyright © 2026@jacksonseric
I have never been involved in the Bloganuary thing. I don’t write by prompts. I just can’t function like that. I remember the days before it even showed up.
I understand. It triggered my snarky side though, and try to have fun with it. Also, I think it helps me be slightly less wordy. Hope the new year is good to you guys.
I guess I am just not much of a writer. I’m good for a couple of one-liners or sharing a memory. And, poetry? Forget it. Not only can I not write that, I don’t even understand most of it. Too left-brained? Eh. IDK.
I hope the new year is good to all of us. It’s going to be an interesting year.
Writing can be a blessing or a curse. I think what you post is great and enjoy checking in when I have time. Most of the time writing for me is a form of self-therapy. It allows me to express myself, whether I publish it or not. Also, it helps keep my mind sharp. At least I think it does. In the context of blogging, it allows me to exchange ideas with others I may never meet all around the world, while keeping friends and colleagues amused or PO’d depending on their position on things without leaving the house.
Well said. When I first started blogging in 2009, I was living in Texas. My blog, back then, was SO different. I was such a political animal, ranting and raving. It was a way to vent. That got old after a while. I shut that blog down and created another one. That was back when WP wasn’t so complicated. It eventually morphed into what I have, now. I still have trouble with politics…I abhor it.
YAAAAYYY you’re doing Bloganuary too! So glad to see you on here xx
Janet! It’s great to hear from you, and I’m glad you’re happy to see me back in action. This past year was an interesting time, and pretty challenging in a number of ways. I’m praying 2024 is better than last year. I hope things are going well with you. We’re wrapping things up here, catch up with you later.
Good thoughts. I’m a bit of a rebel. Not sure if I will write from a prompt, but I will give it a go. At 74 and some days, I hope to have enough mental powers to keep blogging for a while longer. I’ll know it’s time to exit when it sounds like gibberish. If not, let me know, ok?
Thanks! I know what you mean. I’ve enjoyed the Bloganuary challenge because it challenged me to actually produce something with a deadline of sorts. The prompts also seemed interesting. When The Jetpack prompts started up, I found them less interesting at times, and more of a marketing tool. However, I often found a way to write something snarky by questioning what they meant by the prompt. I will be interested in seeing how Bloganuary 2024 shapes up. Hourglass is a little closer to empty than yours, but I have some projects in mind that I hope getting back in the Bloganuary groove will help me focus on taking those steps. As for the gibberish thing, please let me know if mine goes south as well. Hope this year is a great one for you and yours.
You never write gibberish. You make me laugh.