Author: William Douthwaite

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

My choice: Cross-country cycling

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lorenzo Rui on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?
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While I would love to take a long train ride across the country or take the bus, my first choice would be biking from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean.

I know it takes about three months to cycle across America. I’ve followed the Instagrams of a few cross country riders, and I would love to bicycle those three thousand or so miles.

The physical challenge of such a ride appeals to me. I love being outdoors, laboring uphill and careening down the other side. I relish traveling light, with everything I need in just a few panniers front and back. I’m more than ready to spend the night in a small tent by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

It’s not an easy way to cross the country, but for me, it’s better than being cooped up in a car, train, or bus.

Posted in Life

Go for a walk, drink water, eat a snack, and pet your dog

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
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I wonder what the writer of this prompt meant by “negative feelings?”

Is it disappointment because I didn’t perform well? Or sadness because I just lost a good friend? Am I afraid of an approaching storm? Or am I angry because someone dinged my car and drove away? Did I look in the mirror and cringe at how I looked? Did I look at you and cringe at how you looked?

We live in a world where we’re not supposed to hurt anyone’s feelings. We’re only supposed to say positive, affirming words. Negativity and pessimism are big no-nos.

Guess what? You’re going to feel anxiety, insecurity, fear, guilt, shame, and anger every day.

How do I deal with all that negativity?

Go for a walk.

That’s it. Get up and move. Walk away. Walk outside. Walk around. A simple change of location changes how you feel. Moving, breathing, heat or cold, singing birds, barking dogs, the sun, a breeze, or a star in the sky refocuses your thoughts. Suddenly negative things aren’t foremost in your mind anymore.

Also, drink some water.

Feeling negative? Chances are you need to hydrate. Most of us don’t drink enough water. Your body and mind might just be saying, “You’re thirsty.”

In a similar light, eat a snack. It’s OK to snack. It will probably make you feel better.

Still not there? Pet your dog. You’ll enjoy it, he or she will enjoy it, and life will be good again. Don’t have a dog? Get one. A wagging tail effectively counters negative feelings.

That’s all I’ve got. Four simple and effective actions to counter negativity in your life.

Posted in Life

I’m lost

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What activities do you lose yourself in?
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Lose myself in? Meaning: I lose track of time, and suddenly an hour (or more) has passed, and I didn’t realize it.

That’s a tough one. I am super aware of time. I have a sense of how many minutes have passed. Or how many seconds are left until the timer goes off. I often wake up just before the alarm goes off.

I think I learned that from running. I paced myself by with the rhythm of my breath. My breathing helped me pace myself. I developed a good sense of quarter, half, and mile pacing by the music running through my head. I’ve never worn headphones to listen to music when I run or walk. Instead, I hear songs from high school band half time shows in my head. Or pieces I’ve learned for auditions and performances. Or a song from the radio I heard yesterday.

So, I guess I can easily lose myself in melodies from the past, in my mind, or those earworms that refuse to go to sleep.

Ok, so I lose myself when I run. But I don’t run that much any more. (My feet hurt too much.)

So what do I lose myself in?

Painting rocks with grandkids. Long walks with the dogs (as long as I turn off my fitness tracker). When I’m watching a really good movie. (When I don’t check my watch to see how much longer).


Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Movies We Watch Again and Again

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Daily writing prompt
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?
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At first I thought, “I don’t watch movies that many times.” And then I remembered the ones I watch over and over:

  • “Independence Day” (We’re big Will Smith fans). We watch this every fourth of July. We’ve got the DVD.
  • “Castaway” (We’re big Tom Hanks fans, especially where he celebrates making a “fi-yah!”) We’ve got this DVD, too!
  • “Jungle Cruise” (A grandson always asks to watch this one)
  • “Avengers: Infinity War” (Same grandson likes this, too.)
  • “Avengers: End Game” (Yep, same grandson!)

There are probably a whole bunch of Disney films we’ve watched over and over with grandkids, like “Frozen,” “Frozen 2,” and “Moana.”

I’ve watched a lot of movies after supper and before bedtime when the grandchildren have spent the night at out house. When you are under ten, you go to Marvel and Disney, which is okay by me.

If I were choosing movies, I would watch the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy more than a few times. And I am a big fan of “Eddie and the Cruisers” movies, which I have watched a few times. But maybe not five.

What about “The Sound of Music” or “The Ten Commandments”? The networks put those out there every year, and those are perennial favorites.

Some movies never get old.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Why I Don’t Believe in Superstitions: A Personal Reflection

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Daily writing prompt
Are you superstitious?
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Friday the thirteenth? Thirteenth floor? Not a problem.

Black cat? Walk under a ladder? Broken mirror? I don’t give it a second thought.

I don’t keep wearing the same socks to keep a win streak going, either.

I’m not superstitious.

However, when someone says, “I hope it doesn’t rain!” I’ll catch myself responding, “Don’t jinx it!” As if the weather was subject to our random comments.

I’m not big on coincidences, either. I’m a logical thinker and like to investigate cause and effect. I have a pretty good handle on numbers and probabilities, too. Plus, my faith reminds me that God is still in control.

Posted in Life

I want to fly like an eagle

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
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When I sat down to write my answer, I immediately thought, “Well, of course, a dog.” I’m a big dog fan. On further reflection, I am more like a bird.

I’m an early bird. I love getting up early. I love walking the dogs as the sun is coming up. And I want to sing just like the birds who are so vocal as the sun begins to touch the dark morning sky. It’s noisy just before dawn, and I love to whistle back to the owls, mourning doves, cardinals, bluebirds, and mockingbirds as best I can. They know I’m not really a bird. But it’s fun to join in their antiphonal call and response.

I also notice things. Birds are always watching. Their heads turn to watch me, notice me, and fly if I get too close. I like to watch. Observe. See who’s around. Notice what’s there and what’s not in the picture. Move from place to place. Watching. Singing. Flying.

And soaring. I don’t relate to just be any bird. Hawks and eagles circle from above and get to see everything below. What a vantage point! I could see so much from up there. I would love to ride the updrafts with them.

I love dogs. And I would be a good dog. But I’m more like a bird. Does that count as an animal?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Eavesdropping on God: you can learn a lot

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 110.

Do you talk to yourself?

I’ve walked by people who sounded like they were talking to themselves. Then I see their air pods and I realize they were having a conversation on their phone.

Well, I don’t own any air pods. If I sound like I’m talking to myself, I am. And now that I’m thinking about it, I talk to myself a lot.

What do I say? O, things like

  • “I’m not going to do that again.”
  • “Come on, you can do better than that.”
  • “Relax. They aren’t worth it.”
  • “Unbelievable.”
  • “Just shut up and listen.”
  • “I knew they were going to say (or do) that.”
  • “This is going to take forever.”

In Psalm 110, we hear God talking to himself. Yahweh speaks to the Lord (Adonai), “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1) Later he adds, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (v4).

I think it’s fascinating to eavesdrop on the triune God. He talks to himself about some amazing stuff. He talks to himself about authority, victory, sacrifice, and grace. His words are all about who he is and what he does. God is victorious, omnipotent, interceding, and eternal.

Have you ever had to shut someone down by saying, “I wasn’t talking to you”? Sometimes God isn’t talking to you, either. But it’s okay to listen in. I don’t think he minds. Besides, you might just learn something.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

I’d try a little bit of everything

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Daily writing prompt
Where would you go on a shopping spree?
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I’m not much of a shopper. I’m more of a buyer. When I walk into a store, I’m on a mission. I have a list. I get what’s on my list. I check out. And then I go home.

However, I can see myself “spreeing” in a place with a vast assortment of food and drinks. (Is that even a word?) It could be a row of food trucks, vendors booths, or free samples at Costco. That’s where I would spend a lot of time and money.

I can picture myself wandering from barbecue to pizza, asian and creole, and then to baked goods and ice cream. In between, how about a soft pretzel or nachos? Sample craft beers and whiskey. No huge platters or meals. Let’s do small portions of many different tastes.

Posted in Life

No middle name

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
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I do not have a middle name.

Instead, I have a suffix. I am the third, named after my father and my grandfather. Since

The absence of a middle name causes plenty of consternation among those who like to fill in all the boxes. Some have filled in III as my middle name. I once used Q as a middle initial when I needed three letters for a login. NMI is another popular choice.

Since my dad died, I don’t use III after my name very often. It still shows up on tax forms and passports. But it’s not on my driver’s license. Some like to include it on certificates. They can’t spell or pronounce my last name, but they love the suffix.

I do not meet many who share my lack of a middle name. Many even give their pets middle names. I enjoy that uniqueness. I also love to ask those who like my suffix, “What was my father’s name?” And then, “What was my grandfather’s name?” Some get it. Others are confused. I just chuckle.