I attended a bible college for a year, during which one of the female instructors gave me the unhelpful advice that I carried my head too high. You know, as I walked across campus. I was too self-assured, I guess? Too outspoken? Too interested in things happening around me… too bold… too… much. Because I was young (20) I took this advice to heart, even as I bristled internally at the idea that anyone, regardless of gender, could be told they were not meek enough. It was true, I had (have) a personality that lent itself to loud laughter and jumping in feet first and being observant, but that one comment definitely shut me down a little, for a while.

Fortunately, I was only planning to be at that school for a year, and after some time at home with my mom, another woman who was anything but meek, the chastisement faded. I was soon back to my bold curiousity and living my life as God created me to live it. I don’t believe in gods that are all powerful and responsible for all of creation but make “mistakes” that we are then expected to live with, pray away, or fix without questioning. No thanks.

But, when it comes to writing prompts, I have to admit some of my favorites are found at my feet. Candy spilled in a parking lot, shoes in the middle of a street, a condom (still in the package) at the back of a cemetery… don’t they just beg for a story to be built around them?? So I guess I do look down a little. Sometimes. Here’s today’s prompt – a small blue moth that was found flattened on the deck of a vacation rental we spent a weekend at earlier this summer.

What do you think happened? Who was in a hurry and ran over this little creature? What was lying in wait for the moths that approached the light? What if there was no light to keep it safely tumbling in the summer air over the door? Why not – was the electricity cut to that cabin in the woods? Lots of possibilities.

I hope it inspires your writing or art! Happy Monday, friends!