…With a little help from my friends

Happy New Year, everyone! I have now been blogging since August, 2014 and I’ve met so many amazing people along this writing road. These individuals have taught me, inspired me so many times and in special ways, and they have become my friends.

Friendship and community were something I least expected from blogging, a venture I assumed would be one of solitude, but it has shown to be incredibly interactive and instructing to me because of all of you. It has been much too long since I have thanked my fellow blogger friends appropriately, so I’m going to finally accept an award that was generously given many months ago. Please check out the blogs below and follow them. [Full disclosure] I don’t spend a great deal of time each day reading blogs, so trust me when I say that they are well worth your valuable time.

Earlier this year, the hot steamy Migraineur blogger at SexyAchyMoody.wordpress.com took a day off from giving advice on how to stay freaky and fabulous with chronic pain to award my blog with the Encouraging Thunder Award! Thanks girlfriend!

Encouraging Thunder is a spell that grants the gift of thunder and protection for bloggers so they can master their true purpose. It was created by Raymond, founder of encouraginglife.co.

[Cue foggy mist, no… not brain fog.]

And so, I now bestow the Gift of Thunder onto these wizards of the written word. May they be empowered to express themselves freely and truly, with magic of the pen… and the computer…and spellcheck…as their’s is the only voice like it in the world. 

FindingoutFibro: My best blogging buddy (BBB), Jess, is a young woman sharing her life with multiple debilitating chronic conditions. In this article, Distraction Therapy, also published with Axis Dance Company, Jess shares the free, creative methods she employs to help her cope with her disorders. Jess has a broad range of knowledge on many aspects of health she shares through her blog, and is a passionate advocate for ableism and women’s issues.

IamChronicallyWell: Also known as “Chronic Nicole” discusses Selena Gomez’s recent Lupus diagnosis, and how the media has treated her, in comparison to how most people with chronic illness feel when they are newly diagnosed in Celebrities are Just like us part 2. On a regular basis, Nicole practices tongue-and-cheek writing so well that she should have a disclosure for readers with weak bladder conditions. Just sayin…

TheGadAboutTown: Mark shares his research of culture, literature and history, seen through the lens of his own witty, charming perspective. It was difficult to decide which of his posts to share with you, as they are always excellent. In this post, For Your Eyes, he asks the timely and wise question, “how much of our lives should we expose to the public?”

LifeinSlowMotionBlog: Both a chronic pain patient and professional counselor, this blogger shares what pain is teaching her. She asks the kind of questions that keep us up at night, the ones that no one else around us understand, she asks and explores through a compassionate and spiritual heart. In this post, How to Find Online Support when you have Chronic Pain, she guides readers to the best places on the internet to find caring support groups.

JustPlainOlVic: Vic, is a true family man, a father, and a husband. But beneath the surface of “Plain ‘Ol Vic,” you learn he is carer to a wife with Bipolar Disorder and Chronic Pain. Each day in his journal-style blog, he shares his life balancing work, raising his children, and being the support he has vowed to be for his spouse. In this heartfelt post, he shares a life lesson his grandmother taught him, and how it applies to his life today. [If you are on the flip side of a carer like Vic, I urge you to follow his blog.]

LivingwithObstacles: My best online friend, Julie began blogging this past year just after a heart attack induced by the effects of her 16 year battle with CRPS/RSD changed her life, yet again. On her blog, she writes about family, teen addiction, motherhood, chronic pain, loss of career, and how to rebuild on broken ground. Julie is a true warrior, and she has fought and won more battles than Archie Moore (most career knockouts in boxing).

KathleenBurkinshaw: is a blogger, mother, wife, chronic pain patient, and soon-to-be author of her first book! Her posts are like cracks of her soul shining right through the screen into yours. In this beautiful piece back in March, Unconditionally, she shares the meaning of real unconditional love, after losing 2 close family members. Stay tuned for Kathleen’s writing career to skyrocket, and you can say, you knew her when…

SublimeMercies:  Charlotte Issyvoo makes a wheelchair and cane look downright en vogue! She is not only a chronic pain blogger, she photo-documents her vintage ensembles, is a passionate advocate for child abuse, and she shares her feelings on women’s rights among other topics she is always well-versed in. Here, in one of her latest posts, she shows us how to bring the best of 1970’s fashion to our wardrobe using pieces we already have. Move over Ferra!

TheSickDiva: One of my closest friends, Jenny, an RSD blogger, shares her struggles with chronic pain and the health system. No matter how severe her pain is, she leaves you with a message of hope, love of family, and keeping God first. Her latest post on her experience with the medication, Lyrica, will make you think differently about your own medications: How Vanity Saved Me.

Mary Jane Gonzales is a long time author and advocate in the chronic pain community. Find her on Facebook uplifting people in pain, sharing research, new blogs, poetry and hope for the weary on In the Blink of an Eye. Also, check out her brand new poetry share group, Poetic Hearts for a supportive community of creative writers and those who appreciate original poetry.

Escharae writes about her personal path through Multiple Sclerosis as a woman, student, and young passionate person working through the questions of life and illness all at once. On her page, you’ll find compelling videos of neuroscience advances, infographics of health related issues, and personal accounts of her own life. Find out more about how her journey with MS begins here on her MSanniversary blog post, and where it has brought her thus far.

 

To every single reader and fellow blogger who drops by, follows along on Bloglovin’, WordPress, Twitter, or by email, spends your very valuable time reading and showing your love, thank you so much! I feel truly humbled. Wishing you a happier, healthier new year ahead.

~Peace~ 

Sharing My Secrets with The Gad About Town

One of my favorite bloggers nominated me for a Liebster Award, an honor presented by fellow writers in the blogging community! Mark at The Gad About Town is one of my faves because he dishes an ample serving of humor with informative entries. He just sneaks the good stuff right in while you are smirking about something he said (Oh, that’s so The Gad!). I always feel inspired and challenged to be a better writer after visiting his page. I’ve been blogging for almost 2 months now, so this is exciting; thank you to The Gad About Town!

Liebster Award

These uplifting and brand new pages are my nominees. They have fresh and unique perspectives, so please check them out! Congratulations to: FindingOutFibro, IamChronicallyWell, DatelessNCarolina, TheOptimisticCynic, ABipolarJourney. (roll over to learn more)

Now for 11 Secrets about me:

1. I’ve kept all of my teeny bopper heartthrob magazine clippings from my adolescence.
2. Incurable or not, I fully believe I’ll be well one day!
3. Sunsets make me cry.
4. In the fall, I always imagine a hill of multicolor trees is a quilt for a giant.
5. I’m convinced that my hair’s curly factor is based on how happy I am.
6. I still think of myself as a dancer even though my ballet days are LONG gone!
7. I find a big nose to be handsome on a man.
8. I’m afraid I might have a Pinterest addiction.
9. My hair has been every “natural” color. Now it’s curious to try the pastels!!!
10. I believe people are most beautiful when they are being vulnerable.
11. Eleven is my lucky number.

Questions I was asked by The Gad About Town:

1. What’s the best piece of advice on writing you’ve received?

It seems unromantic, however: “Use transitions” is a point one of my first writing professors drove home. Personally, I recommend every writer print out a list of transitions to start swapping out words like “but,” “and,” or “then.” When I acclimated to utilizing transitions, I felt my writing was elevated and smoother.

2. How often do you write or work on writing (e.g. researching)?

Even if I’m just planning my next entry inside of my brain, I feel as though I am writing. Therefore, every day.

3. Are you an atheist, agnostic, a believer or something else?

The way the question is worded is a bit exclusive, however, I believe in Christ’s teachings. I’ve always been a very spiritual person, and faith is a deep personal journey that looks very different for everyone.

4. Do you think this affects your writing?

As far as this blog goes, I didn’t think it would. I don’t have a Christian blog by any means. However, just searching online for supplementary quotes have so often lead me to new spiritual connections I couldn’t ignore. Through this new blogging adventure, I’m learning more about my faith journey even when I haven’t set out to.

5. What’s your favorite book?

Travels by Michael Crichton. It’s basically his memoir and travel journal from his time in medical school onward through his eclectic travels across the world. Sometimes I wonder if this book is the treasure I think it is, or might it be that I was reading it while road tripping all summer with friends who also loved Travels. Sometimes a book can be so much more than a book.

6. Who is your favorite author?

Edgar Allan Poe: Since meeting when I was a child, it was love.

7. What’s your favorite movie?

Oh no! Don’t ask me THAT question…Take This Waltz, Some Like it Hot, Mrs. Doubtfire, Romeo & Juliet, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Little Mermaid, Harold and Maude, Dial ‘M’ for Murder, (stop me or I’ll keep going!) Fight Club, The Notebook, Stepbrothers, American Beauty, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Antiviral, The Virgin Suicides, Metropolis. I’m not finished, but I’m stopping.

8. How would you define creativity?

The hunger in one’s soul coming into the light.

9. How long have you been on WordPress?

Since the end of August.

10. Do you write for a living?

No, but writing is helping me live. (See my About pg)

11. Who is the awesomest person you know (or know of), dead or alive?

Well, I definitely think Helen Keller was a rock star. She was basically in her own sensory deprivation chamber being deaf and blind, but went on to make speeches, write books, and had so many progressive opinions about the world far beyond disability issues. She didn’t even have a voice, yet millions of people listened to her message. Now SHE was awesome!

Questions for my nominees:

1. How did you come up with the name for your blog?
2. What is your chosen spiritual path/religion?
3. Does it impact your writing? If yes, how?
4. Describe the first time you realized your writing could influence/challenge others’ thinking?
5. Who was a childhood hero of yours?
6. Do you feel your writing is a form of artistic expression?
7. What was your favorite childhood game?
8. What is the most romantic thing you can think of?
9. What is your favorite quote?
10. How do you define creativity?
11. What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

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Instructions for presenting a Liebster Nomination:

Thank the blogger who nominated you

Post the Liebster Award image on the acceptance post and/or as a widget

Share any 11 facts/things about yourself

Answer the 11 questions given

Nominate bloggers with fewer than 200 followers

Compile 11 questions for your nominees

My Nomination