Prompt — How Do You Look At Life?

Every human on the planet sees life from a different angle, for a reason. Some reasons are from experience. Some come from what they were taught. Some come from humanity's pain and cruelty, and from how they were raised. Some reasons are from what they want their life to be. Some reasons are from what fate and destiny send their way. Other reasons are from what they witness around them from the lives and living of others. Annelise Lords

Looking at life, I see balance here.

The main shopping and business hub in my country, which generates trillions of dollars daily, closes for half a day on Wednesdays. Every store, wholesaler, and other business in that area must close by 1:00 PM. It’s the law. So, we say, ‘downtown goes on lockdown on Wednesday. It’s Thursday for Uptown.’

Looking at life, you see bees on a flower. I see an insect doing its part to sustain Earth through pollination so I can live.

Everybody in Jamaica shops downtown. The prices are better because of competition. Farmers from several parishes come to town to sell their goods. Several markets have the best organic fruits and veggies a day or two after they are picked, at incredible prices.

You see plants growing from a rock. #Iintend2Survive so no matter where life throws me, I live and find ways to survive. And so do you. I see strength.

I had my cable bill to pay, so I went to pay it, then bought raisins and prunes. Wednesdays are slow days, so sometimes the people who sell on the street take that day off too. Not many people come to shop on Wednesdays. I know that, and since downtown is such a busy and often violent area, I find Wednesdays a better day to pay bills and do light shopping with fewer crowds. Fewer people, nothing for Satan to fight with or for.

You see plants. I see love without limitations.

When I entered the wholesale, it was packed. That was odd, but my instincts alerted me that many people were thinking like me. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, you don’t want to shop here. The wait is torture, and the crowd is painful, and with this heat, hell is here waiting for you.

You see beautiful parrots. I see freedom denied.

I noticed one cashier section was empty. The other five areas were packed. Time was my enemy because it was so damn hot. The Caribbean Sea was down the road.

You see birds soaring across a beautiful blue sky. I see freedom!

In fact, I could look down and see the sea as its waters ebb and flow to its own rhythm of life. It was still hot as hell. Being so close to the sea, I shouldn’t be so hot.

You see flowers bent. I see a friend supporting a friend.

I wanted to get out quickly. I eased over to the empty cashier section. I asked the guy at the end of the line beside her if she wasn’t working. He said he didn’t know. I asked her if she was, as she was on her phone.

You see a plant running. I see someone comforting someone who needs love.

She was, and I got served quickly and left the crowd inside.

You see a beautiful sunrise. I see hope. Hope for a better day than yesterday. A sunrise for hope, I say.

In some businesses, if the cashier is unavailable, a sign tells you. None was there, yet no one asked.

You see a dead leaf where it shouldn’t. I see a second chance.

He went in that line too and got served before all six people in front of him that he came in and saw. More people from the line beside her joined in.

You see a beautiful sunset. I see a promise. A promise to be back tomorrow. A sunset of promises, I say.

One cashier stood alone at her station. No one bothered to ask if she was working.

I see a beautiful flower. You see thorns and garbage.

In the early mornings in my country, when I wake up and go outside, this is how I see many of my plants. Their leaves or petals turn upward toward the sky.

You see white flowers turned up. I see plants praising their creator for life.

You see plants drying up from the outside. I see youth with wisdom.

You see a branch and a tree stump. I see nature as a true artist who doesn’t imitate.

I often wonder how humans see life. This happens a lot in some businesses here. The place is packed, yet one cashier has no customers, and everyone assumes she isn’t working. Even without a sign indicating she wasn’t. That’s the first cashier I go to when I go in. Many times, I am right.

You see a dead tree stump. I see a possible city with high-rise buildings.

How we look at life can heal or harm.

You see huge branches. I see strength

How we think and see life often hinders or helps us.

You see tree branches in the wrong place. I see the strength, value, and beauty of my roots.

Life is around all of us and is in everything. Being aware is power. Power to control your life decisions and how you live.

Write a prompt showing the world how you see life. Be honest, kind, and funny; don’t limit your imagination or creativity; you will be healing and helping here.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.