Keep Your Face Always Toward the Sunshine

The sun lay like a friendly arm across her shoulder.

Margorie Kinnan Rawlings

San Francisco, Ocean Beach, June 2012

It’s a wonderful feeling to receive the friendship of another, to feel the warmth of their appreciation and kindness.  I had no way to anticipate the friendships and kindred souls I would find here, and I am pleasantly surprised every day with the warmth and generosity shared with me and among all, on a regular basis.

When I first started blogging several months ago, I didn’t know a thing about blog awards, I soon found out that the blogging community is just that, a community, a village of individuals who come to this space to share, connect, communicate and find resonance. Let’s not forget the laughs!  I am grateful to be part of something that inspires us all to be just a little bit better. Imagine if the rest of the world were to look to this as an example!

So, here I am grinning from ear to ear because I am  honored to be on the receiving end from Mimi ( Waiting for the Karma Truck ) and Steph (Peacock in a Robin’s Nest ) for sharing their friendship with me. And their daily insights to life, joy, friendships, challenges and wonderful observations about life. And all the curve balls that come our way.  And blog awards!  Each time I spend time reading and reflecting on what they write, I feel as if I have just spent time in conversation with a friend.

Thank you Mimi for showering some Sunshine on me and meeting me so openly here in this space. If you have met Mimi through her blog, you know what I am talking about, if you haven’t, stop what you are doing [well, read the rest of this first, of course] and visit her blog, Waiting for the Karma Truck. You will find insights, perspectives and wisdom that will stay in your mind for days and grace and influence how you think. You will smile and sometimes cry, I sure do. And you will come back and say thank you!  You are welcome. 🙂

Steph, thank you for passing on the Liebster Award!  I can see why it was shared with you; I have truly enjoyed getting to connect with Steph who’s blog is a wonderful combination of reflections on friendship, motherhood, life in general with a bit of bling mixed in here and there. I always need a little extra pointer or two in that department! There is always heart in Steph’s post, so the Liebster is fitting for her to pass along.

“What is a Liebster? The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.”

RULES:

• Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
• Choose 11 bloggers and link them in your post.  [breaking rules here…such a non-conformist…]
• Go to their page and tell them.

QUESTIONS:

Favorite book? What did you learn from that book?
Impossible to name just one…can I get back to you on this one? I promise I will..and with more than just one. Ok? Deal. I knew you’d understand.

If you get nervous when you talk to someone, what do you do?
I have no idea what to say, and I get very very quiet.

What is the meaning of life to you?
Such a lighthearted question!  To be the best I can be, be present, be an example of kindness in the world and when possible, leave things better than I  found them so that others can do the same.

If you were to get a tattoo, what and where would it be?
A dot. On the inside of my left ankle. To make a point…that I don’t want a tattoo. 🙂

What do you do in your spare time?
Family, kiddo, photography, read, write, create, run, hike, camp, bike, exercise, friends, wine. Wait, spare time?

How are you challenging yourself right now?
Focusing on turning up the volume on postivity and lowering the volume on negativity; finding the lessons in the reactions I am not proud of and the emotions that feel messy. Trying to allow the word ‘nudge’ be an active participant in my life.

If you were to go back in time, what would you tell the 20 year old you?
Do you have an hour? I would tell her to trust her instincts, never underestimate her worth, and have more fun!

What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex or same sex, whatever you are attracted to?
Friendly smile, sense of humor, ability to have a witty, fun, and  meaningful conversation.

Define passion, do you have one?
pas·sion/ˈpaSHən/

Noun:

Strong and barely controllable emotion. A state or outburst of such emotion.

This is one of those words I know, but have no words for. So, I had to look it up to get my bearings with it. I love the second part of this definition, a state of outburst..and with that, I’d have to say that my passion is anything creative, whether it be getting a great shot with my camera, putting words together that I never knew would be combined in one sentence, finding a way to express myself through creativity in some form or fashion.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I’d be like Oprah, and have a house in a variety of locations! If I had to pick just one place, I don’t know it’s latitude and longitude, but I’d know it as soon as I saw it; a cozy beautiful location where I could ride my bike most days that is near a vibrant urban setting, near a major airport and within driving distance to a variety of unique destinations.

Anyone know where this is? 🙂

Favorite food
Butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce. With a spectacular cabernet. And some fresh ciabatta bread, with olive oil and balsamic. Yep, I’ve thought of this one before.

PEOPLE I’VE TAGGED/ NOMINATED:

If you are following my road trip, then you will see who some of my favorite peeps are; and it just keeps getting better. I have had the good fortune of connecting with and enjoying the wonderful individuals and their blogs listed below:

Amber – Words become Superfluous

Rian – Truth and Cake

Amber – The Smile Scavenger

Amber – The Usual Bliss

This could almost be the Amber Award? Complete serendipity!

Ps. there are others…and I haven’t forgotten anyone, y’all will just have to stay tuned, there just might be some more goodness around an upcoming corner. And I completely understand if awards are not your cup o tea, or if it takes weeks, months or you just never to get to it- what’s most important is that you know you and your blog  are enjoyed, appreciated, and admired!  That’s the part I think sets such a great example for the rest of the non-blogging world, taking time to stop and recognize the great people all around us, and say, you’re amazing!

YOUR TAG QUESTIONS:

1. Favorite book? What did you learn from that book?
2. If you get nervous when you talk to someone, what do you do?
3. What is the meaning of life to you?
4. If you were to get a tattoo, what and where would it be?
5. What do you do in your spare time?
6. Give a goal you would like to achieve within the next year.
7. If you were to go back in time, what would you tell the 20 year old you?
8. What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex or same sex, whatever you are attracted to?
9. Define passion, do you have one?
10. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
11. Favorite food?

Keep your face always toward the sunshine,
and shadows will fall behind you.

Walt Whitman