Welcome to today’s Spark! ✍️

I’m diving into the WordPress Daily Writing Prompt Challenge to keep my creative gears turning and explore new ideas. Anytime I choose to accept the challenge, the prompt block below will feature a unique question or theme, followed by my unfiltered take on it. Let’s see where the inspiration leads!

WordPress Daily Writing Prompt #2794 for June 16, 2026

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The Bumpy Path from There to Here:

My 20-year-old self existed in a place and time where practically everything was beyond my understanding—though, at the time, I certainly thought I knew it all. Internally, I never felt worthy. I felt unseen, unheard, anxious, depressed, and hurt. I allowed others to treat me with disrespect and disregard, all so I could preserve a facade of acceptance. When something truly terrible happened to me, I said nothing. I did nothing. I tried to wish it away.

The next 30-odd years were a total nightmare. I left a huge swath of destruction across my marriage, family, friends, jobs, and myself. The person I hoped to be disappeared.

But the last ten years have been dedicated to learning, growing, and healing. I finally reached out for help, and help came in a big way. It has been a difficult, painful journey forward, but I am so glad I took it. I’ve learned how to take wrongly directed blame off myself. I’ve done my best to make amends for the times I was a jackass. I am learning to accept that not everyone I hurt will be able to forgive me, and I am learning how to forgive myself—which is the toughest part. Some days, I still struggle with feelings of unworthiness.

If I could speak to that 20-year-old self today, this is the hard-won wisdom I would impart:

You have value.
You are worthy of respect, honesty, and kindness. Find the people who offer these things to you, and choose your friends with great care; not everyone has your best interests at heart. Stop chasing popularity. “Being liked” at any cost really doesn’t matter. I know those feelings feel permanent right now, but they get in the way of making thoughtful decisions.

Learn the difference between criticism and disrespect.
Constructive criticism may be hard to hear, but its intent is your growth. Disrespect, however, is a personal attack meant to demean you. It is pain delivered with glee. Meet that kind of treatment swiftly, resolutely, and with the dignity of being the better person.

Make healthier choices.
Don’t ever start smoking—down the road, you will deeply regret it. If you have already started, throw them away today. Take care of your body. Eat clean, practice moderation, and when you leave military service, just walk a little more every day. A little bit adds up.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Reaching out does not make you weak. If something bad happens to you, please tell someone. Don’t hold it in or try to wish it away. Above all, do not blame yourself when another person causes you harm. It is not your fault.

Be a good steward of your life.
You don’t need all the physical stuff you think you do. Accumulating possessions will never make your life better simply because you own them. Save more money for your future, even if it’s just a small amount from every paycheck. You will be so glad you did.

This is your life.
You are smarter and stronger than you know. It is okay to try and fail. Failure is not the end of the world; it is just an opportunity to try a different path. Please don’t let fear prevent you from trying. Not trying is not living—it is just existing. You are meant for so much more than that.

I believe in you. Believe in yourself.

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