Month: November 2026

Commentary, Daily Prompts

Ignored Gut

M.A.D. Works

What’s a time you ignored your gut — and paid for it?

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The times I paid the highest price weren’t when I ignored danger. They were when I ignored myself. My gut would wave a little red flag, and I’d paint it green with rationalizations. I wanted proof. I wanted certainty. I wanted everyone else to agree before I trusted what I already knew. By the time the evidence arrived, so had the consequences. These days, I’m learning that intuition doesn’t always come with receipts.

The times I paid the highest price weren’t when I ignored danger. They were when I ignored myself. My gut would wave a little red flag, and I’d paint it green with rationalizations. I wanted proof. I wanted certainty. I wanted everyone else to agree before I trusted what I already knew. By the time the evidence arrived, so had the consequences. These days, I’m learning that intuition doesn’t always come with receipts.

Challenge, Poetry

Danger Lurks

M.A.D. Works

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/09/14/dangerous-3/

Dire situations
Anticipation of what might come
Nerve-wracking situations
Grim thoughts speed through your mind
Evidence all around you
Riotous scenes unfold
Ominous shadows creeping near
Uncertainty hangs heavy in the air
Steeling yourself to face the danger

Poetry

Between Truth and Thought

M.A.D. Works

The imagination can play tricks on you.
Not knowing what is true.
Yet when the facts come into view,
You’ll find what’s real and make it through.

Challenge, Poetry

Finding Balance

M.A.D. Works
Image created using Chatgpt

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/balance-2/

Balance, what is it?
How I look for it, endless.
So much I want to do and see,
How can I do it all?
I don’t know.

Days rush forward, full of plans,
A hundred dreams held in my hands.
Each one calling, “Choose me now,”
Yet time allows only somehow.

Maybe balance isn’t found
In doing all that dreams surround.
Maybe it’s a gentle pace,
Giving each moment its own space.

Some days I’ll wander, some days rest,
Trusting I’ve given my honest best.
Not every path needs walked today,
The others will still find their way.

So balance, perhaps, is simply this:
A life that’s more than a checklist.
To breathe, to live, to let things flow,
And trust I’ll get where I need to go.

Challenge, Commentary

Forgiven But Not Forgotten

M.A.D. Works

What’s something you’ve forgiven but haven’t forgotten?

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  I’ve forgiven people who betrayed my trust, hurt me, or made me question my own worth. I do have to say it is a work in progress. I haven’t forgotten because those experiences changed how I see people, relationships, and myself. Forgiving doesn’t mean pretending it never happened or allowing it to happen again. It means I’m choosing not to let the past control my future.  

Poetry

Life’s Little Spin

M.A.D. Works

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/11/10/spin/

Round and round, the world will spin,
Bringing new chances to begin.
Through twists and turns, we find our way,
And hope for brighter skies each day.

Commentary, Daily Prompts

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

M.A.D. Works

If you got to live inside a video game world, which one would you choose?

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I’d choose Animal Crossing. It has cozy libraries, creativity, friendly neighbors, slow mornings, and enough freedom to spend my days writing, painting, decorating, wandering around, and helping others. There’s no pressure to be perfect or constantly achieve something. It feels like a world where I could finally breathe, create, and just be myself.

Challenge, Poetry, Three Things Challenge

A Day at the Lake

M.A.D. Works

https://aptivisjoyfulcorner.wordpress.com/2026/11/09/three-things-challenge-mm603

Your three words for today are:

  • DELECTABLE
  • EVERYTHING
  • FISHING

We went fishing by the shore,
Hoping to catch a few fish or more.
The picnic smelled delectable and sweet,
With tasty snacks for us to eat.

Everything felt bright and fun,
Beneath the warm and shining sun.
We laughed and played the whole day through,
Making happy memories too.

Commentary, Daily Prompts

Lesson Learned

M.A.D. Works

What life lesson did you learn too late?

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For years, I thought being a good person meant saying yes, keeping the peace, anticipating everyone’s needs, and making myself smaller so others could be comfortable. What I eventually learned is that a lot of that wasn’t generosity. It was survival, people-pleasing, and a fear of disappointing others.

The lesson came late, but it changed everything I am learning that: I am allowed to take up space. I am allowed to have boundaries without guilt. Choosing myself doesn’t mean I’m selfish; it means I’m finally treating myself with the same compassion I’ve always offered everyone else.

The people who truly love me don’t need me to sacrifice myself to earn their love.

Funny, Poetry

Laughing Along With A Limerick- Bill’s Rage

M.A.D. Works

http://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/11/09/laughing-along-with-a-limerick-306/

Bill went into a rage
all over his work wage.
His boss gave a grin,
said, “Come on in,”
and handed him one extra page!

Challenge, Commentary

MLMM- 11/9/26- Shared Memories

M.A.D. Works
MLMM Monday Wordle #502

time, second, once, three, minute, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decade, century.

Okay I am going to give this a shot. It is simple but here is my take.

Once upon a time, a little turtle named Tim wanted to see the world. One second after leaving home, he met a rabbit who said, “I was once just as curious as you!” The two friends walked for three miles and rested for a minute under a shady tree. They talked for hours, traveled for days, and shared adventures for weeks. Soon, those weeks turned into months, and the months turned into years. After a whole decade, Tim looked back and smiled at all the memories they had made together. Then the rabbit laughed and said, “Imagine what stories we’ll have in a century!” And so, the friends continued their journey, making every moment count.

Commentary

Idea of a Good Friend

M.A.D. Works

Has your idea of what makes a good friend changed as you’ve gotten older?

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  Absolutely. When I was younger, I measured friendship by how often we talked, hung out, or shared the same hobbies. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to value deeper qualities. A good friend is someone who respects boundaries, keeps confidences, shows up when it matters, and accepts me as I am. Life has taught me that real friendship isn’t about constant contact. It’s about trust, mutual support, and knowing that even after time apart, the connection remains strong. Quality matters much more than quantity.  

Challenge, Poetry

WDYS 11/9/26- Unlock Courage

M.A.D. Works

http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2026/11/09/what-do-you-see-366-9-november-2026/

Your loving words unlock
the courage hidden deep inside,
reminding me that even storms
eventually give way to sky.

Challenge, Missy's MAD Challenge

Missy’s MAD Challenge # 118

M.A.D. Works

Every week, a creative prompt will be offered to help you unleash your imagination and artistic skills.

You can share your response as art or any other creative expression inspired by the prompt.

There are no restrictions and no deadlines, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the creative process.

Remember to label your response with #missysmadchallenge.

Your challenge for this week

  • I am a puzzle with pieces that…
Poetry

Happy to Sad

M.A.D. Works

Happy

Joyful, Cheerful

Glowing, Soaring

Joy, Delight, Sorrow, Grief

Crying, Weeping, Mourning

Heartbroken, Sorrowful

Sad