Haiku

... that can be a verb. Sure. Let's call it a verb. I haven't gone all new-agey on you. Just thinking about poetry kinda makes me want to hurt somebody. It's not my favorite. But, it's good to step out of that comfort zone. So, this week, haiku. 5, 7, 5. Get inspired by anything, then come back and post it here.

Make

... a "coupon" for someone you love. Valentine's Day is coming up. Chocolates are good and all, but think of something your loved one enjoys that isn't necessarily first on your to-do list. It could be a coupon for dancing from a hubby to wife, building a snow fort from mom to son, a trip to the shooting range from wife to hubby. You get the idea. What are your ideas?

Post

... a not-so-flattering photo online. Come on, admit it. When you post a photo on Facebook (blog, etc.), you scrutinize it: Is that my good side? Is my hair doing that weird swoopy thing? Any zits? Only select photos pass the test. It's like you're declaring to the world (and those old high school friends): "I am not embarrassed to look this way. In fact, I would go to the store looking like this." They can make their judgements from there.

I love personality photos and people who have the guts to share them. Halloween costumes, funny faces, crying babies. The polished family photos complete with newly whitened teeth are nice, but I also like to see how people look just before and after they have the formal photo session. You know, the kids wiping dirt on their new sweaters; the wife's head resting on her hubby's shoulder; the life moments. May be humbling, but it feels authentic. And, it helps us remember no one is perfect. The people I like and look up to most aren't perfect. They're real.

So, your verb this week is to post a not-so-flattering photo somewhere online. It'll be good for you, and us.