Thank You Sid!

I am thrilled Siddhartha Krishnan, author of What’s On Sid’s Mind, nominated me for The Liebster Award. The award is a pay-it-forward acknowledgement, from one blogger to another, that they appreciate your blog and promote others to check it out!

What I like about Sid’s blog is his gentle, authentic, heart-felt voice. He spreads messages of love and kindness, like his blog: Mother’s Love | A Small Thought on Mother’s Day.

Thank you Sid, for your nomination and your interesting questions!

General Rules of the Liebster Award

• Thank the blogger who nominated you, and provide a link to their blog
• Answer the 11 questions given to you
• Nominate 11 other bloggers
• Ask your nominees 11 questions
• Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post

I find asking or answering 11 questions and nominating 11 people, overwhelming. I prefer to keep it simple, more personal with a handful of bloggers I would like to nominate and a shorter list of more meaningful questions.

Sid’s Questions

Here are the questions Sid asked his nominees:

1. What is that one hobby/interest/talent which you have side-lined but would like to revisit and why?
2. Who is your role model (if any) and why?
3. What do you think are your greatest strengths?
4. What is that one piece of writing/post that you are most proud of?
5. What do you do to motivate yourself when you are down?

My Answers

1. What is that one hobby/interest/talent which you have side-lined but would like to revisit and why?

Acting. I loved it since high school drama classes, but gave up on it quickly because I struggled memorizing lines. In my 20’s I had a brief, successful stint in modeling then acting in television commercials. That was short lived due to my severe lack of self-confidence and grit needed to survive auditions.

I switched my focus to working behind the scenes in the film industry, on movie and television shooting locations. That was a crazy lifestyle, fueling my alcohol addiction in a truly work hard, play hard environment!

Once I retire from working in education, I’m thinking I’ll have the time and energy needed to invest in acting – maybe even take some lessons. Perhaps there will be a local theatre I can volunteer in, and eventually become part of the acting cast!

What I like about acting is it offers an outlet to my energetic side. I have the opportunity to make people laugh, cry, or inspire (I can hear Academy Awards calling my name!) with my ability to get into character and communicate a story people can connect with!

2. Who is your role model (if any) and why?

Role Model. Hmmm…

I feel this is an opportunity to give my mother props for raising me to be a good person. My mother’s life wasn’t always easy, and we’ve had our bumps along the way. We’re very different women, but alike in many ways too. My mother taught me to be kind, always have a strong work ethic, never gossip, be organized, be prepared, keep a clean house, always be honest and that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

3. What do you think are your greatest strengths?

Kindness.

Capacity to love.

Joyful outlook.

Determination.

Self- Awareness

4. What is that one piece of writing/post that you are most proud of?

This is a tough one. I have posted over 700 blogs, on a variety of topics from world travel, addictions, Reiki, anxiety, love, etc…

At this time, my most favorite blogs to write are my 55 Rules for Love series. The most recently viewed and popular rule was:

55 Rules For Love – Rule #22 – Don’t Judge

I enjoy writing these blogs, because my marriage is my most valued relationship. It is the one relationship in my life that I invest my whole heart into. It is with my husband that all parts of who and what I am are exposed, and vice versa, with a deep commitment between us to nurture and grow a healthy, lasting love.

I started writing the series January, 2020 and so far of the 55 Rules for Love, I’ve only written up to Rule #23. I invest a lot of time, thought and personal experience into each rule – to write with integrity and truth. When I feel I’m ready to lean into the subject of the rule, I sit down and let my heart take the lead.

5. What do you do to motivate yourself when you are down?

Good question.

I’m coming through another transition at this time. A very dynamic, emotional time.

Running is my natural anti-depressant. When I’m down, I force myself to run. I always feel better after a run. I set a goal – 5km or 6km – and try to beat it, by just a bit.

I’m also learning that personal happiness requires just as much work as maintaining physical exercise. I can have everything in place, have everything I need in the world – but still feel down.

I’ve recently listened to the Master Class series Discovering Happiness, by Shawn Achor on Calm. He talks passionately in regards to the science behind: daily gratitude, journaling on meaningful experiences, physical exercise, mindfulness and spreading happiness through personal connection.

Meaning is very important to me – that my life has meaning. By seeing the meaning in what I do each day, helps me when I am down. I’m rambling a bit here, as I’m just coming through the other side of a rough patch with anxiety.

CBD has been incredibly helpful with managing my anxiety, along with exercise, mindfulness training, getting perspective with cognitive behavioral techniques, a healthy diet and slowly nurturing personal connections.

As well, once I have meaning in what I am doing, I find it easier to gain perspective when I am down. Or maybe it is the other way around – once I have perspective, I can gain meaning in why I am down. Either way, both help motivate me to rise up and feel better when I’m down in the dumps.

My Nominees

Rachel – Patient and Kind

Marla – Marla on the Move

Margie – When The Heart Speaks

Yvonne – Joyful Change With Yvonne

Angie – EVE – Empowerment Vitality Evolution

Beautified Living

Each of these bloggers spread love, kindness and positive energy out into the world!! I encourage you to stop by for a visit and say hello!

My Questions for the Nominees

1. Who do you feel the most comfortable with, and why?
2. Who is the kindest person you know? Describe their kindness.
3. What is your favorite blog that you’ve posted? Why?
4. If there was a way you could infuse an act of kindness habit into the everyday life of all people in the world, this habit as natural as the daily action of brushing their teeth, what would that kindness habit be?

I think that will be all the questions. Short and simple!

Thank you for reading this blog, and perhaps visiting the nominees I’ve chosen as well as a visit to Sid, who nominated me!

S, 💛