I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately. The blogs I read on a regular basis are humming and I just love the vibration that’s eminating from the creative minds of my blog friends.
Earlier this week, Megan introduced us to Chaundra McGill and her free eBook on Reflective Writing as Therapy. Most of my writing is my own free therapy. I’ve written my way through tough stuff. I’ve written my way out of anger, rage and hostility. I wrote my own road map towards a more peaceful, less stressful life. The comment I left for Megan created a “little buzz” and since the blogosphere corner I live in is humming, it stands to reason there should be a little buzzing, too. Thank you again, Megan, for introducing me to Chaundra and for giving Chaundra the spotlight!
Last night I read Joy’s beautiful yet bittersweet post. With a tapestry of words she weaves a story that needs to be circulated throughout our community. It’s deserving of a space in Good Housekeeping or Ladies Home Journal. It needs to be in a magazine that gets national exposure and is sold at grocery stores around our country. Yes, Joy, it’s that good.
This morning I read Nadia’s article on Woundology. How many people do we know that walk around with their pain on their sleeves? I can understand if something happened to you yesterday, but gosh darn it already, heal thy wounded child. Life isn’t about what comes our way, it’s about how we deal with it. It’s about our attitude. Sure, sucky stuff happens and I’ve had my share of it. But I refuse to let the wounds of my past hold me hostage to a perpetual state of victim hood. It’s an exhausting way to live.
Over on Wilma’s blog, the hum is buzzing about asking and listening. The conversation is lively and while I’m really good at asking, my listening skills need an adjustment. I readily admit I want to get better at this. My husband is a fabulous listener and when he listens to me, he gives me is undivided attention. Somedays, he’s lucky if he gets half my attention. Because my mind is anticipating his next word and I’ve already formed a response. I can’t wait for Richard to come home next week so I can practice listening. Until then, I’ve been practicing with Junior, my seventeen year old stepson.
Wednesday night I came home overtired and Junior was trying to tell me his plan to join the Army. I wasn’t listening. I was thinking of all the reasons why he’d get sent home before he reached day ten of basic training. His Auntie, who was with us for dinner, touched my arm and reminded me that Junior will hang onto the one negative I said and stew on it for days. Knowing how right Auntie was, I wrote Junior a note Thursday morning and let him know how much I appreciate him and his efforts to do better. I told him that I support his goal to enlist in the Army and I’d do whatever I could to help him acheive that.
Listening…Thanks Wilma and Ann-Marie!
Tess made me THINK this week. Thinking can be overrated at times, but not when Tess asks you a question. Funny thing…my response was about decluttering my home. Daphne…I must be channeling you or something.
I’m happy to see my friend, Jodi, back this week (I nearly sent out an APB because I thought she was MIA) and with a great post on blooming where you’re planted…and if you’re not, to take a look at your environment. Ok…it’s an official consipiracy…I will take care of my cluttered closets this weekend!
Last, but certainly not least, Walter has a great article on death and how, in our fear, we go through life’s motions seeing with our eyes closed. Check it out and ask yourself if you can make a few adjustments to open your eyes and your heart a bit more in order to live a life of your full potential.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
PS…don’t forget to add a little RAOKA to your days! November’s theme is BEAUTY. How can you add beauty to your life and the lives of others? I’ll be working on a holiday project for the next six weeks or so and it’s all about creating, adding, and giving someting beautiful to someone else.
PPS…Many of us contributed to Lance and Joanna’s Blog4Cause. I thank each of you for participating, donating, and caring. I envision a future where no woman will ever hear the words, “You have breast cancer.”
14 Comments
November 6, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Wow, Peggy, great post! I love how you shared what is going on in the other blogs you follow, and how they have impacted YOU, that’s awesome! Thank you for including me in the list!! Your goodness is over the top! xo, Have a great weekend (and good luck with those closets!)!! Jodi
November 6, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Thanks Jodi! I hear my closets screaming at me…they’re too full…of stuff…that can be better used by someone else who may need a good winter coat that I haven’t worn in two winters…and did I tell you how good it was to see you post this week?
November 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Hi Peggy! Isn’t it awesome, this blogging community? I love it! There are always words someone has said that impact our thinking, and sometimes even motivate us! Thanks for sharing these – many good vibrations!
November 6, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Hi SuZen!
And you my friend have shared many insights that have left an impact on me!
xxoo
November 6, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Hi Peggy,
The blogging community is so awesome and I am so happy to be a part of it. Thank you so much for including me in such awesome company…many of which are not only fellow bloggers but friends too.
Have a beautiful weekend!
November 6, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Hi Nadia,
Early in my adult life I was part of something bigger than me – service to my country. And now, being part of this fabulous blogging community is something bigger than me and it’s making me a better person!
Enjoy your weekend!
November 6, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I second Jodi’s comment – this is a GREAT post and reads so beautifully. I haven’t read Joy’s latest post, but am rushing over there after this to do so. Thank you tremendously!
And thanks, again, for leaving such a great comment on It’s All About Joy! this week, and sparking some notable buzz. You’re the sunshine on a cold, gray day, and your words read like a warm blanket and good book.
Happy Friday!
November 6, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Megan ~ I heart you! (What else can I say? One of these days we’ll have to figure out if we can meet in the physical realm and have coffee!)
November 6, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Hi Peggy.
If this is not love in action I do not know what is.
Your generous words to each and every one of us is heartwarming and how you describe what you gain from visiting is a gift.
What I am so excited about is this connecting, this listening and the willingness to share what is going on.
We need each other, together we can do so much more and we all have some piece of the puzzle or the right word at the right time to assist each other to stand more authentic in this world.
Oh Peggy, what a great story about Junior and how wonderful how Auntie listened and then shared and you listened in your turn and then acted upon what you heard.
THAT is gold and what life is all about. These practical acts, so down to earth and yet profound can make so much difference.
Just like your post today.
I am sure we all are touched by your wondeful gesture, I and Ann-Marie are.
Thank you for your beautiful words you surrounded us all with in this RAOKA beauty month.
Group hugs to you and all of us, Wilma
November 6, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Wow Wilma…you gave me goose bumps…
I can’t help myself – if I come across something that’s good and heart felt I have to share it. Why would I hoard it and keep it to myself? Wait til I get on Facebook tonight…and share all y’all with more people!!
(and twitter…)
xxoo
November 6, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Peggy, thank you so much for mentioning me in your post! If you need any more encouragement or some kind words to talk you through your closet project, just let me know.
It is amazing how so many of us can write independently about similar things, like we’re all actually connected or something.
I’ve been reading the same things you have and I am excited to see where each of us heads next.
November 7, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Thanks Daphne!
We are connected…and the blog community is proof that we’re all zipping along in the hum of the Universe!
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!
November 7, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Hi Peggy,
Yep…that listening thing…not always the easiest (for me!). Reminds me that I really can work on focusing on what is being said, and how I choose to respond.
And thank YOU for all the amazing support and love you’ve put behind the Blog-4-Cause ebook project. Peggy, that is so, so appreciated!
Have an amazing and wonderful weekend…
November 8, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Peggy,
Yes we are all hummin and buzzin and movin and groovin. I agree Joy is so talented as a writer. I find her life on the boat just as amazing.
I was missing Jodi as well. It’s weird you get used to reading blogs and when the are MIA you wonder where your good friend is?
Thanks for the link love!