composeconceivecreate

Just another WordPress.com site

  • About Laura Kostur

Does This Mean I Have a Problem?

Posted by kosturcompose76 on June 28, 2012
Posted in: Writing Exercises.

Today I was told that a colleague got the Norvo Virus (no idea, don’t ask) and lost 8 lbs. – Note for context, this was said in a “poor him” tone, as appropriate for delivering sad news.

My reaction?  – “Poor him, I hope he’s ok…but it would be nice to loose 8 lbs so quickly.”  (Half glass full thinking right?)  Well my comment was quickly followed by jokes (at my expense) about visiting him at home and asking which door knob he uses most frequently (apparently how a large number of viruses spread…I wouldn’t make that up).

So I ask…does that mean I have a problem?  Like a lack of a soul?  I wonder how much souls weigh?

Writing Exercise:

Most of us know how to respond appropriately to standard social situations.  If someone is sick, we make “poor you” noises.  If someone tells us they are stressed out or busy, we commiserate, even if we think they are a lazy (ahem).  If someone presents us with their ugly child for the first time…well we say how charming they are, or how they look just like their parents.  But imagine for a moment what would happen if you were best by the need to find a positive in every negative statement you encounter.  Rather than saying “sorry your sick” you could say “well at least your building up your immune system for when the big killer flu hits”.  When someone presents you with their ugly child, you might say “hey won’t it be great to save money on those prom dresses?”

Spend five minutes making a list of the social situations you encoutered today; the banal “poor you” and “what a charming baby” moments.  Then set a timer for 30 minutes and re-write history.  Change your responses to those people, and see where the story leads you.

Happy writing.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posts navigation

← Improvising in the Kitchen
Cooperative Cannibalism →
  • Recent Posts

    • I may be a criminal at heart
    • Fire and Ice
    • Miette Resort = Kellerman’s – Dancing
    • Roadtrip!
    • Seeking a Use for My New Special Skill
  • Archives

    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • May 2017
    • November 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • January 2016
    • July 2015
    • May 2015
    • March 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
  • Latest Tweets

    • My husband the speaker and the light of my life. #proud twitter.com/AndreKostur/st…Tweeted 1 month ago
    • “You need to play hard to get lucky… luck is a big part of the publishing industry. But, none of that will matter i… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Tweeted 3 months ago
    • RT @YouTravel: #Writers brainstorming @SiWCtweets this weekend at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford #SiWC2022 #SiWC22 https://t.co/c1265dfmSBTweeted 3 months ago
    • “Success is contagious; like Covid.” - @DarrenGroth #siwc22Tweeted 3 months ago
    • “Today you are one day closer to your next inevitable success.” - @DarrenGroth #SiWC22Tweeted 3 months ago
    Follow @LauraKostur
  • Blogroll

    • The Bloggess
    • Pioneer Woman
    • Women at War – Veterans Affairs Canada
    • Surrey International Writers' Conference
    • Academie Duello
    • Home – ComposeConceiveCreate
  • Blog Post Categories

Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • composeconceivecreate
    • Join 28 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • composeconceivecreate
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: