I read a post from the wonderful writer Steve Edwards the other day about the “I used to think/now I think” writing prompt. That inspired me to start this morning’s three college writing classes with said prompt. I wanted to get the students out of their research essay heads, and I said their truths can be as simple or deep as they want. Modeling good teaching behavior, I wrote and shared a few “I used to think/now I think” truths as well. …
I used to think cereal was only reserved for breakfast.
Now I think Cheerios make for a great snack.
I used to think I had to hold my feelings close to the vest and not let my emotions show.
Now I think my feelings are making up for lost time, as evidenced by my crying in the car to a Dire Straits song.
I used to think in black and white.
Now I think that life is painted in shades of grey.
I used to think I had no athletic ability because I was always picked last for PE class teams in school.
Now I think about how much fun it’ll be to run another marathon.
I used to think getting older meant that my life was on its way toward the end.
Now I think that getting close to 50 means there are so many chapters of my life I haven’t written, especially when I consider how many I’ve written since turning 40.