What a Picture is Worth

I wrote a portion of this post as a reply to someone at BlogFrog and thought I would also share it here.

Many bloggers like using photos in their blogging. And for good reason, since a picture is worth...well, you know. If you find using photos to be cumbersome or interfering with the flow of your writing, I would suggest not worrying about using them. If, however, you like photos and enjoy their inclusion, it might be worth the effort.

I love photography, so having blogged for so many years I am in the habit of constantly looking for opportunities for more "stock" type photography--the kind that works well in blog posts. For example, one photo I snapped of our son at age ten (he is now 25) in the ocean facing the sunset with his arms raised up has served me well over the years in posts where praising God was the image I was looking to show.

Shots of sunrises, sunsets, and nature shots are always useful. Generic shots of people doing ordinary things are also helpful, and I try to do some of those (not all, since I do like to keep most of my blog posts personal to share my heart and life with others) without the face showing to make them more versatile.

And don't ever underestimate the value of a picture of a pizza! Food images are wonderful, especially such gems like loaves of homemade bread, berries, or a few toffee chocolate cookies. As you can see, just the words can make your mouth water, so imagine what a picture can do!

Sometimes I edit the photos with artistic effects to vary the image and make it more universal; an artistic touch rarely hurts.

I find keeping an eye out for blogging shots to be quite fun. I've also found an added benefit to being on the lookout for such shots: I stay always aware and mindful of the beauty in every scene, every moment, which keeps me always a deeply grateful girl.

LISTS OF 5 – List 1

List five relatives you saw at family reunions as a child.

List the five best colors in a crayon box.

List your five favorite things about your personality

List five nicknames you were given in school.

List five places you'd like to visit sometime in your life.

List five names you would have liked had you picked your own name.

List your top five most attractive current movie stars.

List your five favorite comfort foods.

List five people you hope you see as often as possible.

List five things you would tell your country's president if you ever met him/her.

List five things you wish were for sale in the supermarket (that are not for sale now).

List five events in your life you wish you could erase.

List five moments in your life you wish you could relive.

List the five best desserts on the planet.

List the five silliest jokes you can remember.

List the five funniest people you have ever met.

List five places you wouldn’t mind living.

A Year of Journal Prompts - December

1-Dec	Who genuinely listened to you during your life?
2-Dec	With whom do you get along in your family?
3-Dec	What signs show you that someone loves you?
4-Dec	Write about your experience(s) with childbirth.
5-Dec	List 10 people who have helped to shape who you are today, whether positively or negatively.
6-Dec	I really like the musician __________because…
7-Dec	Tell of a time a wish was granted that you later regretted wishing for.
8-Dec	One thing I like about my mother when she was a child is…
9-Dec	I feel like my life will be better when…
10-Dec	How do you best relax?
11-Dec	What are your thoughts on independence?
12-Dec	What I like best about being by myself is…
13-Dec	Write about your relationship with God.
14-Dec	When I see clouds in the sky I think of…
15-Dec	Write about what it feels like to listen intently to someone else.
16-Dec	My best advice to a new parent is…
17-Dec	Pick any color. Write about where you have seen that color today, and what feelings resulted.
18-Dec	Write about time spent at the beach.
19-Dec	Where do you come from?
20-Dec	Talk about what success means to you.
21-Dec	Do you feel an obligation to write? Why or why not?
22-Dec	What and/or who has sustained your soul?
23-Dec	Do you prefer friendships with men or women? Why?
24-Dec	How did your family traditionally celebrate Christmas?
25-Dec	What was your best ever Christmas present?
26-Dec	Describe a time when you were involved (or close to being) in a physical fight.
27-Dec	Have you ever sought revenge? What did you do?
28-Dec	When was the last time you said something you did not mean?
29-Dec	If you could only have one material possession, what would it be?
30-Dec	Explore: "Everything Flows."
31-Dec	What would you say is the grand purpose of life?

A Year of Journal Prompts - November

1-Nov	What was life like for you as a child?
2-Nov	If you could choose one super power, what would it be and why?
3-Nov	What are your thoughts on personal boundaries?
4-Nov	What was your favorite pet?
5-Nov	My spiritual life today is…
6-Nov	Describe your favorite piece of music.
7-Nov	I doubt that I will ever get to…
8-Nov	I wish I had _________ more/less when my children were little.
9-Nov	When I am really angry, I…
10-Nov	How is decision-making handled in your life?
11-Nov	How do you feel about being dependant upon others?
12-Nov	In my beloved’s eyes, I am…
13-Nov	Write a new poem of any length or form.
14-Nov	Do you have trouble asking for help?
15-Nov	How do you process disappointment?
16-Nov	Without my relationship with ________I would _________.
17-Nov	Write about something you feel very strongly about.
18-Nov	Write about the night sky.
19-Nov	What does "we teach in order to learn" mean to you?
20-Nov	Describe your home in as much detail as possible.
21-Nov	Explore the concept of "Nothingness".
22-Nov	What topics do you avoid talking about, and why?
23-Nov	What could you do to help someone else today?
24-Nov	How has alcohol or drugs impacted your life?
25-Nov	What role has money played in your life?
26-Nov	When in your life have you experienced the most growth?
27-Nov	How does it make you feel to cry?
28-Nov	What thing(s) in your life do you regret the most?
29-Nov	When have you made people laugh?
30-Nov	When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Year of Journal Prompts - October

1-Oct	Open the dictionary, pick a word at random, and write about that word.
2-Oct	What causes you pain?
3-Oct	Create a fiction story around a family event.
4-Oct	Write your feelings about animals.
5-Oct	How much do you think a person should sacrifice to save an animal?
6-Oct	What subject was the easiest for you in school and why?
7-Oct	I love the color ________. It reminds me of…
8-Oct	What things have you desired and then received?
9-Oct	I am always proud of my child(ren) for…
10-Oct	When I think about jealousy, I…
11-Oct	What do you do when you feel stuck?
12-Oct	People should…
13-Oct	What I don't like about being alone is…
14-Oct	Quote your favorite poem.
15-Oct	What kind of help do you usually need to resolve your feelings?
16-Oct	How has grace played out in your life?
17-Oct	What traits do you think your beloved has brought out in you during your relationship?
18-Oct	I remember…
19-Oct	Write about your extended family.
20-Oct	Write a letter to a best friend from the past.
21-Oct	What qualities do you look for in a friend?
22-Oct	Describe a time when you felt silly.
23-Oct	Free write about love.
24-Oct	If you could acquire one skill or ability, which one would you want?
25-Oct	Describe a time when you were deeply happy.
26-Oct	What are your thoughts on promptness?
27-Oct	If you could choose your ten closest neighbors, who would they be?
28-Oct	What do you feel people simply should not make fun of?
29-Oct	How have you traditionally celebrated special occasions and/or holidays?
30-Oct	If someone looked in the top drawer of your dresser, what would they learn about you?
31-Oct	Do you ever challenge authority?

A Year of Journal Prompts - September

1-Sep	Where do you find inspiration?
2-Sep	Describe some of your first supportive relationships.
3-Sep	What is your favorite candy?
4-Sep	What do you think it means to live an abundant life?
5-Sep	Describe a plausible solution to world hunger and how you would implement it.
6-Sep	What was the most difficult subject in school for you?
7-Sep	If you could be any non-living thing, what would you want to be and why?
8-Sep	Write about something that has happened over and over to you.
9-Sep	Life was easier/harder when I was growing up because…
10-Sep	How do you feel about physical touch?
11-Sep	How do you respond to criticism?
12-Sep	Describe your ideal neighbors.
13-Sep	I like to be alone because…
14-Sep	What could you do to open your heart today?
15-Sep	What conflicts do I have inside right now?
16-Sep	I have a right to be sad because…
17-Sep	How have past relationships ended?
18-Sep	Talk about the light you see outside right now.
19-Sep	Talk about your parents.
20-Sep	Pick up the nearest book. Write about the first sentence you read.
21-Sep	Write about why you write or journal.
22-Sep	What would you say is your best physical attribute?
23-Sep	Who would you consider the target audience for your writing?
24-Sep	If you could have chosen your gender, which would you have chosen and why?
25-Sep	What food won't you eat, no matter what?
26-Sep	Would you donate an organ? Under what conditions?
27-Sep	What do you think it would be like to be homeless?
28-Sep	Would you want to time travel if you could? Would you go forward or backward?
29-Sep	In what ways is your life impacting others?
30-Sep	Has someone else’s lack of moral foundation affected you?

A Year of Journal Prompts - August

1-Aug	Talk about childhood holidays.
2-Aug	What things would you say you aren't good at?
3-Aug	What do you consider your primary relationships?
4-Aug	What does your pain feel like?
5-Aug	Describe experiences you’ve had with death.
6-Aug	What good thing(s) have you done today?
7-Aug	What was your first job? What details can you remember about it?
8-Aug	What animal would you choose to be and why?
9-Aug	I have only experienced _______once in my life.
10-Aug	I’m glad that ________ isn’t like it was when I was growing up.
11-Aug	I want to be remembered for…
12-Aug	What makes you feel guilty?
13-Aug	Children should…
14-Aug	What thought is persistently pressing for attention today?
15-Aug	I accept as my personal responsibility…
16-Aug	What is causing me to feel so ___________?
17-Aug	Are there any areas in which you feel you have a right to still be angry?
18-Aug	Describe your first puppy love.
19-Aug	I need…
20-Aug	Write about your grandparents.
21-Aug	Write about a time when you had to physically endure.
22-Aug	What does "If you walk in the mist, you get wet" mean to you?
23-Aug	What do you do when you are nervous?
24-Aug	Look out the window, and write about the first thing you see.
25-Aug	Talk about mistakes you’ve made.
26-Aug	Talk about your choice in friends.
27-Aug	Which disease would you cure if you were given the knowledge to end one disease?
28-Aug	What makes you feel most secure?
29-Aug	Write about your feelings regarding the sanctity of life.
30-Aug	Are you trustworthy?
31-Aug	How did your own childhood differ from that of your parents?