Daily writing prompt

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

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Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood, perhaps with a cup of your favorite tea in hand and a mind ready to wander with me into a moment of pure excitement.

Today’s writing prompt is an intriguing one: “Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.”

At first glance, it may seem like a simple question, but when you pause and think, you realize how precious such moments are.

In our busy, often routine-filled lives, genuine excitement doesn’t happen every day—it sneaks in unexpectedly, like sunlight spilling into a dark room.

For me, the last thing that stirred my heart and brought that childlike spark of excitement happened just a few weeks ago. It wasn’t a planned event or a grand celebration; it was an unexpected reunion—with a passion I thought I had left behind years ago.

A Brush with an Old Friend

Some of you know that painting has become an integral part of my post-retirement life. But there was a time when my paints and brushes sat untouched, gathering dust.

Life’s responsibilities—career, family obligations, and the everyday treadmill—often pushed creativity into the background.

Recently, on a quiet morning, I stumbled upon an old wooden box while rearranging my study. It was the kind that creaks open like a treasure chest in old movies.

Inside, I found my first set of professional watercolor brushes and a palette, stained with vibrant shades from decades ago. Holding them was like shaking hands with an old friend I hadn’t seen in years.

As Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” That morning, I felt like I had found my inner child again.

Suddenly, my mind flooded with memories—late nights mixing colors, the smell of wet paper, the thrill of watching a blank sheet transform into a landscape, a face, or a dream.

I felt a wave of excitement so strong that I abandoned my cleaning project, set up a small corner by the window, and began painting right there.

The Magic of Rediscovery

It’s funny how excitement often comes when we rediscover something we once loved. As the first brushstrokes met the canvas,

I felt that familiar pull—the focus, the sense of time dissolving, the pure joy of creating. This time, I painted a moonlit sea beach, inspired by my recent trip.

Gentle waves kissed the shore, and in the soft glow of the full moon, a couple walked hand in hand, their silhouettes reflected in the shimmering water.

I didn’t strive for perfection; I simply let the brush flow, allowing the scene to take life on its own. Vincent van Gogh’s words echoed in my mind:
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

Within an hour, I felt lighter, happier, more alive. That painting now hangs in my living room, not because it’s a masterpiece, but because it represents the moment I reconnected with my creative soul.

Why Excitement Matters

Excitement isn’t just a fleeting thrill—it’s fuel for the spirit. It reminds us that we’re still capable of wonder, that life has endless corners to explore and rediscover.

Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” And it’s true—sometimes we hesitate to revisit old passions out of fear that we won’t be as good as we once were. But the courage to simply try is what brings joy back into our lives.

For retirees like me, excitement is even more essential. It keeps the mind agile, the heart young, and the days vibrant.

Whether it’s trying a new recipe, learning a dance step, starting a blog, or reconnecting with an old hobby—each moment of excitement is a tiny spark that lights up our life’s journey.

Lessons from the Experience

From that morning with my old paintbrushes, I drew three lessons:

1. Don’t underestimate forgotten passions. Life may have moved on, but they’re still waiting for you.
   
2. Spontaneity has power. The best moments often happen when you act without overthinking.
   
3. Excitement is contagious. My family, seeing my sudden burst of creativity, also picked up their own hobbies again—be it music, writing, or gardening.

An Invitation to You

I believe we often overlook the small, personal excitements in life because we’re searching for something grand.

But joy doesn’t always wear a crown—it might be hiding in an old box, a conversation with a stranger, or a long-forgotten melody.

As Maya Angelou beautifully put it, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

So, my dear friends, think about it—what was the last thing that truly excited you? Was it a phone call from a loved one, an idea for a project, or the smell of rain after a long summer? Did it make your heart beat a little faster, your eyes shine a little brighter?

If you can recall such a moment, treasure it. If you can’t, perhaps it’s time to seek one out. Pull out that guitar, try that new hiking trail, sign up for that pottery class

Life is generous—it will always offer us opportunities for excitement, if only we are willing to open the door.

As for me, I’m still painting, and each new canvas feels like a small adventure. That one spontaneous morning reminded me that excitement is not something we wait for—it’s something we create. And when it comes, it makes even an ordinary day extraordinary.

So, here’s to the next burst of joy, the next surprise, the next moment that makes us feel like children again.

As Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” May we all live in such a way that excitement is not rare, but a regular guest in our hearts.

Until next time,
Stay curious, stay creative, and stay excited.

— Vijay Verma
 www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Life, #Love, #mental health, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2039, featured, writing