What prompts you to write about your favourite genres?
I like writing about life. Anything can get the creative ideas going. I love both photo and idea prompts. I do miss doing the daily prompts and the challenge they posed, weaving 5-6 words into one cohesive idea!
How do you personally define ‘fear and do you think we should all live with an element of fear in our lives?
Fear is one of nature’s defense mechanisms. One should never disregard it. We are naturally afraid of things that can harm us. It includes objects and situations too. Fear makes us tread carefully in life. We should pay due heed to it but not let it cripple our way of life.
How long do you spend weekly with your hobby’s?
As blogging is my hobby, I spend around 25- 30 hours a week on it. A few hours I spend on reading, but way less than what I should.
Have you, were you, do you desire to be a hippie?
Nopes!
I was too young when this trend was all the rage. Living in Pakistani society, I didn’t encounter many hippies and so there was not much inclination to turn hippie!
I’m more of a conventional person, and my rebellious streak is just apparent when I express my opinions.
How well do you trust your own instincts for sensing if something or someone is wrong for you and/or your life?
As far as human nature is concerned, I do trust my instincts on judging them. I can tell if a person is going to be a good match nature-wise for me or not.
Do you or can you make the right decisions based upon your gut reactions quickly or do you simply tread more carefully and observe everything before making decisions on your findings, opinions, and beliefs?
If we talk about actions, like deciding to do something or buy something small, I am very impulsive. That usually means that I make snap decisions and they are often wrong. I used to buy stuff which I didn’t need just because I liked it. Or try something new without giving it too much thought. But these weren’t very important matters. If it’s an important decision, I do think about it and get information to help me make the right decisions. I rely on information more than my instincts.
If you were to sense a change in a friendship but were not sure of the direction in which this was taking, but your instinct told you something was seriously off – how would you choose to react?
Well if it is a good, or old friend, I would ask the reason for their charge in attitude. I believe in treasuring friendships and also in talking things out. I wouldn’t want to make a decision without trying to clear the air first.
Do you think your instincts are always right and if not, what do you think can alter them to become unreliable?
I trust my instincts as far as judging people is concerned. I do tend to form an opinion about people when I meet them. But that’s as far as I’ll trust my instincts. I am often wrong about other things and would rather trust my brain to make a better, informed choice.
Melanieis filling a hiatus in Blogging Insights by asking;
I had this topic I wanted to explore via Dr. Tanya’s excellent series “Blogging Insights”. Since she hasn’t come back (yet), I thought I’d just dive in and ask the question anyway. This post isn’t to be considered ‘legal’ because I didn’t ask Dr. Tanya if it’d be all right to do it. Enough hair-splitting.
My “Blogging Insight” question deals with
How thick a skin do you need to be a blogger?
When we put out our writing for others to read and invite their comments, we also have to be ready for some criticism coming our way. Or some unfavorable comments.
I think a blogger needs to be level-headed and cool. If as a blogger I react to every bit of criticism or to unpleasant comments, I won’t be able to blog for long.
Topics which a blogger writes about, also play a role in inviting fiery discussions. So if one doesn’t want heated exchanges, one should stay away from these topics, like politics, or religion!
“Bonus question” How important is being understood?
The full impact of a blog is only when the writer and the one reading it are on the same page. If the writer is not able to clearly write, there could be many ways the writing is interpreted. If that is the aim of the writer, well and good. But if the writer is saying something that’s not being conveyed, then obviously the meaning is being lost.
I do try to write clearly and concisely. As most bloggers have found out, too lengthy posts are not favored by most people, I too have reduced the length of my posts. I find poetry to be a better medium to convey my thoughts. So far I haven’t had any complaints about people not getting my drift.
As far as the commenting goes, I do feel that many people are not commenting on my post as they were, say a year ago. This is an overall change in the blogging world and it may be the new norm.
As Di also mentioned, the time we spend creating a post has nothing to do with how well it is received.
Thanks, Melanie for these thoughtprovoking questions.
Is every piece of truth worth telling? (credit to the magnificentCyrannyfor this one)
Nopes. If my truth is going to hurt someone, it is better to keep quiet.If thetruth is important in thesense that it can change how we look at life orpeople, then it needs to be told.
Whom do you miss more Freddy Mercury or Prince? (if you don’t know who those people are, just skip this question. It’s cool).
I liked both of them but wasn’t a big fan. So neither.
If you could only email or text people for the rest of your life (no other form of communication), which would you choose?
I would prefertexting.Email is time-consuming.
Would you prefer to work the midnight shift at a really creepy out of the way motel OR work alone for eternity?
I’drather be working alone than at a creepy out of the way motel at midnight.
Bonus question because yes, these are a weird bunch this week: What’s one secret you’re still keeping from your immediate family? (no details required. You could say something like “The lost weekend in 1982”. You can also answer “Why I NEVER keep secrets from my nearest and dearest!”).
How much I really weigh!
And I’m not telling anyone except my doctor.
GRATITUDE SECTION (always optional)
Please feel free to share something uplifting that you’ve experienced so far in 2021.
My older daughter received her doctorate degree all the way from Washington university via snail mail. It took almost three months to get here. We are so proud of her achievements.
Do you find if you are feeling low that changing the colour of your clothing that you are wearing at that time lifts your spirits at all?
The nature of attire helps more than the color. If I put on something dressy and formal, and look good, ( this is very important) then I feel better. Eating something good also does the same, at least temporarily.
What would you do with your life if you weren’t afraid to do it?
Be more adventurous. Go to the far-off places, see more of this beautiful world we live in. But I would also need bushels of money too. So how about loaning me some, along with the courage to go out in this covid infected environment?
How good is your long term and your short term memory?
Short-term memory is shot to pieces. Long-term memory is better. I can remember things and incidents from when I was 3 years old but will forget what I was about to say a moment ago. I think it’s not exactly a memory issue but more of a sensory overload.
Which is more important to you today friendship or family?
My family is very important to me but so are my friends. Most of my friends are as precious to me as my blood relatives.
Prettygood, Ithink.I’vealmostrecordedfullyafter my surgery and am back to walking 5-6 miles a day.Mental health is good too, thankfully.
I’d rate both at 8 on a scale of 1 – 10.
What is your current level of exercise or activity like today?
As I said in my previousresponse, 5-6 miles walk a day in 2 – 3 installments. I don’t do any sort of exercise other than walking.MaybeIshould?
Were you one for leading an active and physically active lifestyle before today – when younger as an example?
Yes when I was a student, I used to play a lot of games.Volleyball, cricket, badminton, and cycling.Cycling was my favorite. As a young mom, Itried to keep up this level of physicalactivity but couldn’t.
By my forties, my differentautoimmunediseases made their appearances, and my healthsuffereddue to that. I got my first knee replaced at age 50 and the second one at 54. From then onwards, my healthhasimprovedsignificantly.
Have you found that your exercise has been hindered or enhanced with the arrival of the pandemic?
I was in Seattle when the pandemic hit the world. I had nothing much to do so Iincreased the time Iwalked. From 10000 steps I went to 15000 steps. So I’d say in a way pandemichelped me stay more active.
How do you motivate your enthusiasm today?
By tryingtofollow the same routineevery day.Weekends are the same as weekdays. If I take it easy on the weekend, I’dfeel lazy and my enthusiasmwould drop too.
Do you find that your emotions are harder to manage in the current situation with covid or are you able to keep your mentality stable?
I am lucky to be surrounded by my family and grandchildren. This helps to keep my emotionsgrounded. Like any other human, I do have mood swings but it reallyhelps when cute littletoddlers are there to make you forget your irritations and worries.
What is your overall vitality like today?
I think it’saround an 8.
What is a typical week like for you with activity – your interpretation?
I walk seven days a week. Burn around 2500 – 3000 calories a day( according to my activity app on my Apple Watch) and sleep 7-8 hours every night.
Stupidity makes me angry. Unjust behavior makes me furious and glitching technical issues make me lose my mind altogether.
What is your preferred mode of transport from the following: walking, driving car, train ride, or riding a bike or something else entirely?
If it’s close enough, I’d rather walk. Otherwise driving my car or being driven if someone is kind enough to do it!
Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house.
I like washing dishes and vacuuming. I can clean a bathroom too if it doesn’t involve scrubbing the tub! Mowing the lawn is beyond me. Haven’t done it in ages.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Breakfast! I can have it three times a day!
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I don’t know. Haven’t counted them. Maybe 15 or 20. But they all are open-toed flit flops. I own one pair of walking shoes which I don’t wear. It gives me blisters and bruises.
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning for the rest of your day?
Ten minutes if I’m not washing my hair. 20 minutes if I’ve to wash and blow dry my hair. No makeup is required these days as I’ll be wearing a mask.
What three items only would you take with you on a deserted island to survive for a week?
Food
water
and entertainment! Simple.
Lots of thanks to my dear friend Rory who comes up with such interesting and varied questions for us every week.
Have you ever ‘butt dialed” someone? (‘butt dialed’ means have you ever made a phone call that you weren’t aware of making, because the buttons on the phone got pushed by your sitting on them (in your pocket) OR having something in your handbag press against them?)
Many times!
My phone is in my handbag when I’m out of my home and Iusually manage to dial the last dialed number if Iaccidentally unlock my phone.It’susually my husband or one of my kids.
If you were given 1000 acres of land, what would you do with it?
I think if I am given money with this land, Iwould like to start a wind farm. A clean source of energy!
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on-line recently?
I did see a movie that I liked very much before the lockdown days.
Have you ever eaten something off the floor? ‘5 second’ rule applies or not (the ‘5 second rule’ is that if you pick up the dropped food within a set time frame, it’s still ‘clean’ and you can safely eat it)?
When my piece of dark chocolate falls down, I pick it as fast as I can and eat it. Though I’ve never eaten anything “off” the floor!
GRATITUDE SECTION
Feel free to share your gratitude with everyone in the form of a quote, a thought or an image.
I am grateful every day for the blessings that are bestowed on me and my family.
This week I am grateful for the fact that my family is safe and healthy. My grandson’s school is going to be 4 days in person and I could finally go with my elder daughter for a manicure and pedicure at a nearby salon, fully masked of course.
I am very disappointed that it wasn’t just so! But if it isn’t then I’ll take it however it is!
When was the last time you simply paused for a few moments to take in everything that is seriously great about our world?
I do that every day. When I walk, I think about life. It’s a wonderful time to just empty my mind of random thoughts and think about my life, the way I am heading, and how good life really is. Nothing is perfect, but there is good in every day and in most things that happen in my day-to-day life.
If you were given one song of your choice and one song only to play in the ‘air around’ you when you went out outside for walking or exercising or on your way to where ever or whatever … what would that song be?
I love devotional songs. Mostly hymns sung in praise of God Almighty. I can listen to them all day, especially one which is sung by a famous Pakistani singer, Atif Aslam. The 99 names of Allah;
So we have healthy mentalness, wellbeing and mindfulness and they have been with us for many a year as terminology – but also sometimes and quite oft forgotten is ‘kindfulness’ – aka the art of being kind to yourself … when was the last time you practiced being kind to you and what was it that you did or were doing?
I try to be kind to myself every day by looking after my health. I used to be very critical of my actions but now I just forgive my blunders and move on. From time to time I indulge myself by doing something that I like.
Loving oneself is the first step towards kindfulness!
Now to the questions … don’t just answer these questions simply, give them some deep thought first…
How true to your real personality, your true personality, your youniquity personality are you?
Be honest, not just answer how you think you are to be read, but are you truly you?
Do you believe in you and your ability to always be you and true to your personality or are you at times mindful or wary of those around you and how they expect you to be and behave??
You don’t have to answer all the questions should you not wish to however, let me know your views below…
It took me a lot of years to be truly, true to myself.
The way I was brought up made a huge impact on how I behaved. I am usually wary of offending people, especially my family. I am also careful how I deal with strangers.
Being polite, and calm was ingrained into my personality. Being respectful to elders was a must. Family obligations must always be met with smiles and an open heart. Even if you don’t like these people, you have to be extra nice to them. I did all that and there was a lot of resentment in my heart.
One can never truly break the mold in which our eastern society makes us but to a large degree, I have broken free from these restrictions. I am more true to my outspoken nature now.
I am now being myself. I don’t keep quiet when I need to speak up. I share my views, however, conflicting it may be to the general opinion. I don’t pander to people just to be polite. I believe that friendship or any relationship should be based on equality and so if I feel I’m being taken for granted, I withdraw from that relationship.
So I do think that I am finally being true to myself.
Does ‘methodical order and sequencing’ really matter?
Not to everyone, but I like things to be in some sort of sequence and order. It makes organizing things easier and also satisfies the OCD brain. For example, the numbering of these questions are topsy turvy, but I’m letting them be, because I think that is part of the puzzle.
Question 3
Given the choice which historiographical era could you live in comfortably if you had to go back ‘in time’ and why do you think you could?
I don’t want to go back in time but if I must, I’d choose my childhood era! Early 1960’s. The pace was slow, life was simpler and both my parents were alive. That would make things confusing for them but would make this journey in time worth all the risks for me because then I can meet my mom as an adult and get to know her.
Question 9
What type of advertising really ticks you off as in – it doesn’t matter what the product is … because of the way it is actually advertised you become instantly annoyed and hostile with the medium … this is NOT a political campaign question?
Too repetitive, too cheesy, weird premise to base the adverts on. I think we can say safely that I don’t like most advertising. The only ones I like are the funny ones. And those too, only the first 100 times or so!
Question 83
What topics or passions could you write freely and knowledgeably on for say 3000 words if you had to?
What????
3000 Words!!!!
I don’t think I can write 3000 words on any subject, however passionate or knowledgeable I am about it. I just lack the amount of concentration required to do such a lengthy piece of writing.
Question 2
What could you NOT do for money – given the obvious – so this is not about harming yourself or harming or mudering others – so aside from that side of things – what could you not just do for cash?
Sell my self-respect.
Or admire a corrupt or bad person, even on the surface.
Compromise on my principles
Or vote for Trump or BoJo
Question 1
When was the last time that you read something and it touched you in some deep dark way?
I read a lot of things here on the blogosphere that touch me. Some make me sad, some are thought-provoking while others are enlightening. I don’t remember being touched in a dark way. The same goes for the literature that I prefer.
I guess it’s a conscious choice to stay away from this sort of stimulation.
Question 101
How did you murder that person and how did you get rid of the body?
It was a direct assault. I made my character plunge a pen filled with ink into his evil heart and hence the deed was done. Getting rid of the body was easy, as it was the fictional villain’s job and he did it without any input from me!
Fandango is the host of Fandango Provocative Question
Welcome once again to Fandango’s Provocative Question.
I don’t know about you, but I typically spend about four to seven (occasionally even more) hours a day on my blog, either writing, proofreading, editing, and publishing my own posts or reading and commenting on the posts written by other bloggers.That’s a fairly significant chunk of my waking hours and I have found myself wondering if I’m unusual in that regard. I also wonder what I would do with those hours if I didn’t spend them on my blog.
So my provocative question today is simply this:
How many hours, on average, do you spend per day (or per week) on blogging-related activities?
➰➰➰➰➰➰
I think in a nutshell, I’d say I blog the whole day. But….
Not continuously!
My usual routine is that I catch up with my comments, and reader when I get up in the morning. After that, during the day I keep an eye on my WP reader and notifications. I respond to comments off and on.
Later in the day when I’m free, I write and preschedule my post for the next day.
Then I spend time with my family and just before retiring to bed, I take a look at my blog, answer comments and read and comment on the blogs that I follow.
In my estimation, this takes up to 4-5 hours of my waking time.
And, what do you think you might do with your time if you didn’t spend it on those blogging-related activities?
I think I’d slowly go bonkers with boredom if I didn’t have my blog to occupy me.
I still have time to spend time with my family, chat with my friends and when there were no restrictions on going out, I’d go out with family or friends for recreation.
Blogging has not only developed into a very good hobby for me but is also keeping me mentally active, which is very important if one wants to avoid early dementia.
And the community here is awesome. It’s like meeting friends every day.
My conclusion;
I am happy at the time I spend blogging and it pays back handsomely.
Welcome once again to Fandango’s Provocative Question.
That’s a fairly significant chunk of my waking hours and I have found myself wondering if I’m unusual in that regard. I also wonder what I would do with those hours if I didn’t spend them on my blog.