Prompt: Write about someone who helped shape your character.
All right, the prompt for today, July 19th, 2026, is: Write about someone who helped shape your character.
I think it would have to be Hannah, my wife, and my sister.
I think my sister would come first, simply because she was in my life before Hannah. But I think the reason they’ve both helped shape my character is that, from the beginning of knowing me, they’ve accepted me fully for who I am. All the foibles, all the weird idiosyncrasies—everything. They’ve accepted me, and I think that’s important because it gives me a safe space to explore more of who I am. Being able to do that, I think, helps uncover my character.
Hannah and I often joke that we’re the same type of weird. We get each other’s jokes, we laugh at the same things, and we find the same things irritating. It’s comforting to have someone who understands you in that way.
With my sister, it’s a little different. I don’t actually think we’d be friends if we weren’t related. She’s almost the opposite of me in some ways. She’s much more driven by reason and logic, whereas—even though I studied philosophy—I’m probably more driven by my emotions.
She gives me a different kind of sounding board: one that’s supportive but also critical. I think that’s really important. Growing up, school came very easily to me. I didn’t have to work very hard, whereas she worked incredibly hard and continues to do so today. On balance, I think that’s served her well because it’s given her a grit that I don’t naturally have. That perspective comes through whenever she gives me advice or challenges the way I’m thinking.
Between the two of them, I’m pretty lucky.
They’ve accepted me, supported me, encouraged me to keep exploring different paths, trying different things, and continuing to discover who I am and what I want out of life.
I think that’s really important. It’s through that acceptance and the safety they’ve created that at least some of my character has been able to develop.
Right on.
You can find this prompt, and many more, at Letters’ Lounge: www.letterslounge.com. Of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this or any of the other prompts, so please leave a comment or a link to your blog, audio journal, or whatever it happens to be, and I’ll be sure to check it out.
All right, folks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
This transcript was lightly cleaned up with the help of AI to improve readability while preserving the original voice and intent of the recording.
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