Tag: Journal

Prompt: Write about a conversation that changed you.

All right, the prompt for today, July 21st, 2026, is: Write about a conversation that changed you.

A few years back, I was talking to my sister while I was going through a pretty hard time. It was after a breakup, and I was telling her about how, when my dad had been visiting, I had been treating him really poorly.

She said something that’s always stayed with me. She said, “Because he was safe.”

Prompt: Write about a responsibility you carry.

Okay, the prompt for today, July 20th, 2026, is: Write about a responsibility you carry.

I wonder if our responsibilities are a result of our choices.

One of my biggest responsibilities right now is our daughter. And in order to support her, I have a responsibility to my wife. Then, in order to support both of them, I have a responsibility to go to work. At work, I have responsibilities to the children I teach. So, in a way, one responsibility leads to another.

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.

Prompt: Write about something you see differently now.

All right, the prompt for today, July 18th, 2026, is: Write about something you see differently now.

I think the clearest answer is that, since Emi was born eight months ago, the whole world looks different. My perspective has definitely changed. Even my understanding of how time works feels different—what’s important, and where I want to spend my time.

Simple things have become some of the greatest joys. Putting her to bed, for example. It’s just the two of us sitting in a chair while I feed her, and then she falls asleep in my arms. That’s an incredible feeling—to know that someone in this world is so comfortable, and trusts me so completely, that she can fall asleep in my arms. That’s a beautiful thing.

Prompt: Write about showing up.

All right, the prompt for today, July 17th, 2026, is write about showing up.

I think, if you’re anything like me, your head is running a mile a minute in every direction. I just can’t settle it.

I think I should adopt some sort of meditation practice quite seriously to help with this. For me, though, the biggest issue isn’t coming up with new ideas. It’s not a lack of concepts, or even figuring out how to learn new things. Today, with all the technology we have, that’s actually quite easy. Even ordering tools and materials—you can get almost anything you need right away.

Prompt: Write about forgiveness.

The prompt for today, July 16th, 2026, is: Write about forgiveness.

I think forgiveness is what allows us to move forward, essentially. And I think we forgive others, yes, but we have to forgive ourselves as well.

I remember seeing a CEO on TikTok—I’m sure it was TikTok—who was talking about success. He said the key is to forgive yourself to an almost ridiculous degree. I think what he meant was that you’re going to make mistakes. Things aren’t going to go well. You’re going to make bad decisions, and you’re probably going to hurt some people. But you forgive yourself. You continue to forgive your actions. If you can manage that, then perhaps you can reach that C-suite level of success.

And I think there is something to that.

Prompt: Write about what keeps you moving forward.

All right, the prompt for today, July 15th, 2026, is: Write about what keeps you moving forward.

I think it’s ultimately curiosity. I’m just endlessly curious about things. I want to learn, I want to try, and I want to figure things out.

But I will say that when things get too difficult, or I find something hard, or I become anxious or nervous, then I stop.

I guess with my writing in particular, or even with sharing this audio journal, I’ll do it—but only to a certain extent. I’ll stay within my comfort zone, which I don’t ultimately like.

Prompt: Write about a quiet act of courage.

All right, the prompt for today, July 14th, 2026, is: Write about a quiet act of courage.

What I’m thinking about is when I used to live in Calgary. I would photograph marathons around the city, and I remember one race in particular.

I was standing, I think, about five kilometres from the finish line, so I was the last photographer before the finish. There was one woman still out on the course. I think she was running the half marathon—actually, maybe it was the 10K. I can’t quite remember. What I do remember is that she was well behind the rest of the runners.

Prompt: Write about the value of restraint.

All right, the prompt for today, July 13, 2026, is: Write about the value of restraint.

I think restraint is almost as important as exploration. What you should do—or could do, I suppose—is explore all of your options. Explore everything that’s available to you, and then decide on a path. That’s where the restraint comes in: choosing to do one thing at the expense of others.

Prompt: Write about what it means to be dependable.

All right, the prompt for today, July 12, 2026, is: Write about what it means to be dependable.

I guess it means following through, right? It means creating an expectation that people can trust you’re going to do what you say you’re going to do.

Now, I have to admit that, for a very long time in my life—and still to some extent today—I was extremely late. Exceedingly late. Disgustingly late. I was late for a lot of things. I was late for work. I must have been fired from more jobs than I can remember because I was late all the time. At least three. Probably more, but at least three.

Prompt: Write about a time you changed your mind.

Okay, so the most heartwarming thing happened to me today, and it ties in nicely with today’s prompt, “Write about a time you’ve changed your mind.” Today is July 11th, 2026.

We were coming back from an engagement party, and we were both quite tired, so we decided to order a pizza.

When the delivery driver arrived, he called us instead of just knocking on the door and running away or ringing the doorbell and bouncing. He waited for us to get to the door so he could hand us the pizza.

My wife answered the door, and he asked how my hand was doing.

Prompt: Write about an unfair outcome.

All right, the prompt for today, July 10th, 2026, is write about an unfair outcome.

Now, if I were to talk about driving on the roads, I would go on endlessly and just blather on incoherently forever. So I’m going to try to find something a little different to talk about.

I think, at the core of fairness or unfairness, is a decision being made—or the perception of a choice being made—irrespective of the consequence.