“In wildness,” Thoreau wrote, “is the preservation of the world.” Think back … to time you’ve spent in the wilderness or in nature. How did you experience it? How did it affect you? Do you have a favorite place in the wild? Have you encountered wild animals? Or, write about a time when you went a little wild, or felt like you were “lost in the wilderness.” Share your wildness stories forward.

Blind date? Online? Across a crowded room? Romantic comedies require a “meet cute,” but it doesn’t always work that way in real life. Think back … how did you meet your spouse, partner, significant other, or best friend? Was it love at first sight, or did it take time to develop? Was it your destiny to meet? Have you tried to set up another couple? Share your first meeting stories forward.

“Work?!” scoffed Maynard G. Krebs whenever he heard the word. But most of us have spent much of our lives working. On this Labor Day, think back … what kinds of work have you done? What was your worst, best, or strangest job? How did you choose a career? Did you ever start your own business? Do you intend to keep working as you get older? Share your work stories forward.

Some are natural, like hurricanes, volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, or wildfires. Some are human, like illness, divorce, accidents, bankruptcy, or 9/11. Others might just seem like disasters, like a breakup or a bad haircut. On this anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, think back … to a disaster that shaped your life. How did it change you? Did it have a silver lining? Share your disaster stories forward.