Forward Progress...Impact

A new prompt has been posted at Forward Progress and this one is wonderful! Ellen is a fantastic "boss lady" in that she gives us lots of notice on upcoming prompts. Never have I been more glad for the extra time than this month. Here is the prompt:

This month's prompt is about touching people's lives...it's not who you touch but how...

i have always felt that me, as a person and as intense as i am, left an immediate and definitive mark on where i have been and whom i have met. but do i? am i profound? am i in my lines? or do i blur them?

I found this one to be powerful...thought provoking...and life changing. When I stopped to think about how I touch people's lives, flashbacks of meaningful moments came rushing in. Many I could recall with a feeling of happiness...others I relived with shame and regret. Those are the ones I wish I could call for a do-over as I feel certain I wasn't the positive influence I desire to be.

Here is my layout:







I chose the title "impact" and a subtitle "how do I impact my world?". Once I completed my layout, I tried to create to-the-point journaling, but couldn't quite say what I wanted to say in a concise manner. So I chose to include all my thoughts on the back of the LO.



This is how the journaling reads:

"We all have them. Those times that forever leave a mark on our hearts...our souls...our being. Be it a good or bad time, it shapes and molds the person we become. Much of the impact it has on us is defined by how we approach that moment and the choices we make regarding it. I've had many such moments. Big, huge, earth moving moments. Marriage, children, divorced parents...a divorced me. Children moving away and then returning. The death of someone very dear. Some of these were cause for celebration and others were the cause of much pain. But through them all, I learned more about me and became stronger and hopefully wiser as a result.

But not all defining moments are as enormous in size. There are also the little things that can affect us. Little chance moments such as an encounter with another person that leave us with a life lesson all because we crossed paths. There can be inspiring moments of awe and wonder. And there can be misunderstandings or misguided intentions that leave us in a position to choose how we will move forward and whether or not we will allow it to cause harm or good to a relationship.

Lately I have been facing many defining moments. Times that are testing my character and my strength. I'm facing decisions that are almost impossible to make as there is really no good answer. Some days I feel victorious in these situations and other days leave me struggling to not feel defeat. But I am most thankful for these trying times. I know that even on the down days, I am building strength. God has given me the ability to rise above by trusting in Him. And I'm learning with each test and working harder to be a more positive influence."


I would love for you all to join us this month. And we are so grateful for the super showing we had for last month's prompt. The winner of last month's give-away will be posted tomorrow so be sure to stop by and see who won. We have another great gift up for grabs this month as well. Our sponsor is Genuinely Jane Studios and here is a sneak peek of this month's prize.



I hope you will play along with us this month and explore the impact you are having on your world!

Hugs and love,
L