#Bloganuary Writing Prompt: What is your favorite part about yourself?

My resistance to questions such as this! I am finding myself quite reactive and rebellious – it’s like asking for a description of the color of one’s underwear or one’s most intimate thoughts. When one writes for such blogging exercises one is already putting one’s neck through the noose of vulnerability and transparency. Granted, one chooses what to write, but as a mentor once said, “you cannot not tell your story!”
Accordingly my neck hackles are standing to attention. Like a zebra stallion guarding its herd I stand on the edge watching for the movement of the tall pampas grass to reveal the location of its hidden predators. Nup, nope, nyet! I am tempted to say “That’s as much as I shall reveal today.” And maybe that’s my favorite self-trait.
But I have to dig deeper. I have sometimes described my work in spiritual direction as a “story whisperer.” In the Christian contemplative tradition, it takes time to develop the kind of relationship where questions such as the one that forms today’s prompt might help a pilgrim step over a threshold into unexplored territory in their inner landscape. Today’s prompt feels like a startling shout rather than a whispered invitation. And I’m well aware that’s a perception that will not be shared by others. Then again, perhaps today I’m just grumpy!
