The journey of self-understanding is long, complex, and optional. Lots of folks live normal lives without understanding their own mind or spirit. You don't have to know why the microwave works, you just have to know how to use it; if you've got a handle on yourself, you can live the same way.
But I think there's a certain pleasure and fulfillment in self-awareness. I've tried for a long time to understand myself better; it's a mixed bag, pretty messy, but overall I feel like it's a good thing.
Our writing is tied pretty strongly to our selves; the more we understand of one, the more we understand of the other. Our writing can reveal our inner self; the better we understand our own writing, the better writers we will become. Our mind and spirit empower and inspire our writing; the better we understand our selves, the better people we will be.
That's what I think, at least. It's a theory, and I'm an amateur writer and no kind of psychologist at all. I believe a lot of crazy stuff. Your mileage may vary.
Anyway, the theme this week is "The Way We Were" - write up a piece about your former self (that is, the person you were during formative times when the person you really are was beginning to show itself). The character of "you" should be non-fiction, but the story or setting can be fictional if that helps tell your story better.
Link up your post below! The linkup will stay open through Wednesday, so if you need time to finish (or start) you've got some. Don't forget to include a link-back button, like this one, and of course we always love it when people tweet about us or mention us on Facebook. More links may be added over the next few days so come on back by so you can read and comment on as many posts as you can.