Language is one of the most powerful tools humanity has ever developed. There’s a reason sayings like “The pen is mightier than the sword” carry so much weight. Words have the power to persuade, to create, to destroy, to unite. But here’s the catch: words only matter if you can understand them. In today’s world, we’re lucky to have tools that help bridge those gaps.

What's the most money you've ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it? I think the most money I’ve ever spent on a meal was just north of $200. It was an anniversary dinner with my wife in San Diego, and we went to a really nice steakhouse. The place was beautiful, the food was delicious, and we shared a bottle of wine.

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that. I’m taking this writing prompt with a small caveat: I don’t believe any news story is inherently uninteresting. Even the most mundane corners of the internet have an audience. If someone took the time to write about something, even without deep passion, it shows at least some level of curiosity.

This week’s mood? Necromantic. As in: resurrecting myself from the dead. I had every intention of starting fresh—getting better, staying hopeful, doing all the positive things. The universe said, “Cool story,” then hit my wife with the flu, gave both kids ear infections, and dropped pneumonia right on top of me like a cursed treasure chest. It sucked. It absolutely cut me down.