I received an email the other day from the Sparkly Positive Elisa of Magically Positive advising she's nominated me for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award. It was a really lovely boost to my day to receive that email, so thank you Elisa!
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| Yay! I'm a very inspiring blogger! |
So this is one of those "pay it forward" things and with good reason - lots of inspiring people are found on this magical thing called the Internet! And what a great way to keep a positive vibe going. I understand the rules are:-
1. Display the award logo on your blog,
2. Link back to the person who nominated you,
3. State 7 things about yourself,
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them,
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award's requirements.
Seven Things About Elle
1. I often feel I am a walking irony....or a walking dichotomy. It depends on what we're talking about, and it would probably take me a whole other blog post to explain why I feel this way.
2. I tend to be vehemently loyal to people I consider friends or family almost to a fault and even when that loyalty isn't returned.
3. My Sun sign is Libra. My Moon sign is Pisces. My ascending sign is Gemini. I'm therefore an indecisive, sensitive day dreamer who spends a lot of time in her head. I've also got a backbone of steel. It's just the rest of me is jelly.
4. I am descended from men who were loyal to and fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War and World War II. It's funny then how I tend to lean towards being a peacenik. I'm 80-90% peacenik and the rest of me thinks that wars will continue as long as there are oppressive dictatorships and corrupt governments that need a show of force by the people in order to change.
5. I have four tattoos and want more.
6. I have a naval piercing and pierced ears but no desire for more piercings.
7. I draw and paint although I've never shared any of my artwork publicly. I tend to refer to my art as guerilla art - it's imperfect, probably breaks rules, amateur-ish and by no means of the quality of those artists that are found in museums or even some of the artist friends I have (who totally rock, by the way!). I do it for my own enjoyment and may eventually become brave enough to share it.
Now, with that we've learned more about me, here's my list of people who I believe to be Very Inspiring Bloggers:-
1. Laurelei Black - Aphrodite's Priestess:- If anyone asks me about modern worship of Aphrodite, I always refer that person to Laurelei's books and blog. Her work is inspirational to those of us who are forging a dedicated path with Aphrodite in an era where there is so much work to do to heal and reclaim Aphrodite in this day and age. Laurelei is just lovely and I can't recommend her work enough!
2. Dominee - Blessing Manifesting:- Elisa also nominated Dominee and I'm sure others have as well. It's with good reason. Her focus on teaching self-love and self-care and healing is inspirational and so very needed in a world where we all are struggling with our own wounding. Her site is lovely and colourful and she gives away so much in order to help others. Really worth reading!
3. Dionne Ruff-Sloan - Goddess Tea House:- I love me some Dionne, yes I do! Dionne is a dedicated Priestess of the Goddess and Tea Priestess. In fact, when I saw her call herself a Tea Priestess, I became, like, 5 years old whining, "Aw, I want to be a Tea Priestess too!" Dionne just rocks with her deeply thoughtful posts, her open hearted sharing, her gentle manner. I love the way she uses tea and the ritual of taking tea as a way of connecting to one's self and the Divine. She's just lovely and so worth reading!
4. Jaine Rose - Beeswax and Broomsticks:- Jaine is one of those artists who inspires me a lot. The first time I ever saw anything she painted was in Glastonbury when I saw her painting of Glastonbury Tor in the window of Goddess and the Green Man. I instantly fell in love with her work and have been following her art ever since. She's one of the main artists for the Earth Pathways diary, which I'm completely in love with as well. Her blog is inspiring to read as she posts about the places she goes or the things she's doing and while to someone else that might not seem inspiring, to me it is because it shows me how she, as an artist, sees the world. It inspires in me the desire to look at my own world more closely. The main site for her artwork is here. Go be inspired!
5. Sharon Knight - Neofolk Romantique:- Sharon is an artist of the musical kind and I love reading her blog about her exploits on tour and what new things she's writing and creating. She's not just into performing music though. She also uses music and sound as a way of healing and journeying. I love this because being a very music and sound oriented person myself, I've found sound to provide me some very powerful healing and energy shifts as well. Plus Sharon is just lovely, as are all of the people I'm nominating! Do give her a read!
6. Faeriedaughter - Goddess Spirituality from a Mermaidenly Lady:- I got to know Faeriedaughter when she took my year long online course on the Wheel of Ana in 2010-2011. I've watched her grow and blossom as she discovers her own Goddess path. I love reading her blog because she posts about some really great subjects and it's great to see her continually unfolding into herself and her relationship with Goddess. I also love the fact that she's very down to Earth about her ideas and beliefs. Her blog is a wonderful and inspiring read.
7. Woz Flint - Simply Woz:- What can I say about Woz? She knows how to spin a tale and draw a person in. She knows how to leave a person scratching her head wondering what the heck is going on before finally coming clean at the end and driving her point home. She's a wonderful writer, a bubbly personality and just terrific fun to read and interact with. Love me some Woz, yes I do!
8. Mani - Quantum Phoenix:- Let's take a turn into something completely different and less "touchy feely". Mani is someone I know offline as well as on. He's a dedicated Wiccan and Magician with a degree in physics. His blog is an inspiring read as he details his views and ideas on the correlation between magic and science. He cuts to the chase on things, which I like a lot. He's also one of those people who walks his talk. He's a great person to learn from and his blog is a terrific place to start!
9. Keri Smith - Blog:- Let's go back to artists! Keri Smith - author of such fine books as Wreck This Journal, This Is Not a Book and Living Out Loud. Keri inspires me to break rules as an artist and take the view that nothing is off limits. Keri helped me to understand that my own art can be gritty and dirty and imperfect and even childish and it's ok. It's still my art. She doesn't write in her blog very often these days but it's inspirational when she does, even if it's just something in the title of the post.
10. Jacqui Woodward-Smith - A Magically Delicious Cup of Toadstool Tea:- We're back to tea, although this blog has nothing to do with tea really. I'm taking a turn for the personal again. Jacqui is a dear sister priestess who has long been an inspiration to me. She's a wonderful poet and eloquent writer. Unfortunately her blog is lacking in recent updates, so maybe nominating her for this award will inspire her to write some more. She has a wonderful way of seeing the sacred in everything. Jacqui is just lovely all round and I highly recommend not only her blog but anything else she does! Check out her website as well!
11. Claudia Strasser - The Paris Apartment:- Anyone who's on Pinterest has probably seen something from Claudia's blog. She is the queen of romantic shabby chic style decorating. Her blog is one I turn to when I need to lower my blood pressure. It's soothing and relaxing as well as inspiring with so many great ideas for decorating. Just love her blog and love her site!
12. Sharon - My Journey to Joy:- Sharon is my cousin so I'm a bit biased with this nomination. However, leaving relations to the side, Sharon shares her story of dealing with carcinoid cancer, a condition she's lived with for 25 years now. She's gotten through by relying on her Christian faith. Although I walk a different path, I can't help but be inspired by her tenacity and fortitude to be proactive about her healing by being educated and calling upon the Divine that gives her strength. For anyone dealing with cancer, especially on a long term basis, it's worth having a read through.
13. Frank - Flicking Hell!:- Ok, now I'm crossing the line from maybe being a bit biased to being completely biased. This is my husband's blog, which is still fairly new. Inspiring? Well, it might be for those who enjoy watching films of all sorts. In this blog, he gives his views on films old and new. I'm not the film buff he is, but some of his entries are quite entertaining to read. If anything, check it out because it's my hubby's blog and I just love him. :)
14. Erin Richardson - Erin's Art Journal:- Were you wondering when I'd get back to artists' blogs? Wonder no more! Erin's art is just the sort of whimsical folk art that I love and I love her blog because I love the way she posts about how she creates her artwork. She includes smatterings of other things like pictures of her world around her and bits of poetry. I just like her art though and find great inspiration when she takes one through how she creates it. For someone like me who dabbles in art, it's inspiring and educational!
15. Silver Ravenwolf - The Crow at the Crossroads:- Ok, probably another surprising one, but hear me out. I know Silver gets a bad rap amongst some Pagans, however, it can't be denied that Silver's books have inspired many to find their own spiritual path. She's doing something very right. She's sold millions of books and continues to do so and still tours and does all sorts. She writes regularly in her blog and I find many of her posts creative and inspiring. Her latest blog post, however, is more than just inspiring, it's disturbing and thought provoking, some might say shocking. It's a very powerful message. I enjoy reading Silver's blog and find that she's a terrific source of ideas and inspiration.
Whew! I have to say this was more difficult than I thought it might be. Limiting it to 15 was challenging. There are many others who deserve to be nominated too and perhaps at another time I will do another post detailing others who should get this award. In the meantime, enjoy the great blogs I've listed above!
Now, with that we've learned more about me, here's my list of people who I believe to be Very Inspiring Bloggers:-
1. Laurelei Black - Aphrodite's Priestess:- If anyone asks me about modern worship of Aphrodite, I always refer that person to Laurelei's books and blog. Her work is inspirational to those of us who are forging a dedicated path with Aphrodite in an era where there is so much work to do to heal and reclaim Aphrodite in this day and age. Laurelei is just lovely and I can't recommend her work enough!
2. Dominee - Blessing Manifesting:- Elisa also nominated Dominee and I'm sure others have as well. It's with good reason. Her focus on teaching self-love and self-care and healing is inspirational and so very needed in a world where we all are struggling with our own wounding. Her site is lovely and colourful and she gives away so much in order to help others. Really worth reading!
3. Dionne Ruff-Sloan - Goddess Tea House:- I love me some Dionne, yes I do! Dionne is a dedicated Priestess of the Goddess and Tea Priestess. In fact, when I saw her call herself a Tea Priestess, I became, like, 5 years old whining, "Aw, I want to be a Tea Priestess too!" Dionne just rocks with her deeply thoughtful posts, her open hearted sharing, her gentle manner. I love the way she uses tea and the ritual of taking tea as a way of connecting to one's self and the Divine. She's just lovely and so worth reading!
4. Jaine Rose - Beeswax and Broomsticks:- Jaine is one of those artists who inspires me a lot. The first time I ever saw anything she painted was in Glastonbury when I saw her painting of Glastonbury Tor in the window of Goddess and the Green Man. I instantly fell in love with her work and have been following her art ever since. She's one of the main artists for the Earth Pathways diary, which I'm completely in love with as well. Her blog is inspiring to read as she posts about the places she goes or the things she's doing and while to someone else that might not seem inspiring, to me it is because it shows me how she, as an artist, sees the world. It inspires in me the desire to look at my own world more closely. The main site for her artwork is here. Go be inspired!
5. Sharon Knight - Neofolk Romantique:- Sharon is an artist of the musical kind and I love reading her blog about her exploits on tour and what new things she's writing and creating. She's not just into performing music though. She also uses music and sound as a way of healing and journeying. I love this because being a very music and sound oriented person myself, I've found sound to provide me some very powerful healing and energy shifts as well. Plus Sharon is just lovely, as are all of the people I'm nominating! Do give her a read!
6. Faeriedaughter - Goddess Spirituality from a Mermaidenly Lady:- I got to know Faeriedaughter when she took my year long online course on the Wheel of Ana in 2010-2011. I've watched her grow and blossom as she discovers her own Goddess path. I love reading her blog because she posts about some really great subjects and it's great to see her continually unfolding into herself and her relationship with Goddess. I also love the fact that she's very down to Earth about her ideas and beliefs. Her blog is a wonderful and inspiring read.
7. Woz Flint - Simply Woz:- What can I say about Woz? She knows how to spin a tale and draw a person in. She knows how to leave a person scratching her head wondering what the heck is going on before finally coming clean at the end and driving her point home. She's a wonderful writer, a bubbly personality and just terrific fun to read and interact with. Love me some Woz, yes I do!
8. Mani - Quantum Phoenix:- Let's take a turn into something completely different and less "touchy feely". Mani is someone I know offline as well as on. He's a dedicated Wiccan and Magician with a degree in physics. His blog is an inspiring read as he details his views and ideas on the correlation between magic and science. He cuts to the chase on things, which I like a lot. He's also one of those people who walks his talk. He's a great person to learn from and his blog is a terrific place to start!
9. Keri Smith - Blog:- Let's go back to artists! Keri Smith - author of such fine books as Wreck This Journal, This Is Not a Book and Living Out Loud. Keri inspires me to break rules as an artist and take the view that nothing is off limits. Keri helped me to understand that my own art can be gritty and dirty and imperfect and even childish and it's ok. It's still my art. She doesn't write in her blog very often these days but it's inspirational when she does, even if it's just something in the title of the post.
10. Jacqui Woodward-Smith - A Magically Delicious Cup of Toadstool Tea:- We're back to tea, although this blog has nothing to do with tea really. I'm taking a turn for the personal again. Jacqui is a dear sister priestess who has long been an inspiration to me. She's a wonderful poet and eloquent writer. Unfortunately her blog is lacking in recent updates, so maybe nominating her for this award will inspire her to write some more. She has a wonderful way of seeing the sacred in everything. Jacqui is just lovely all round and I highly recommend not only her blog but anything else she does! Check out her website as well!
11. Claudia Strasser - The Paris Apartment:- Anyone who's on Pinterest has probably seen something from Claudia's blog. She is the queen of romantic shabby chic style decorating. Her blog is one I turn to when I need to lower my blood pressure. It's soothing and relaxing as well as inspiring with so many great ideas for decorating. Just love her blog and love her site!
12. Sharon - My Journey to Joy:- Sharon is my cousin so I'm a bit biased with this nomination. However, leaving relations to the side, Sharon shares her story of dealing with carcinoid cancer, a condition she's lived with for 25 years now. She's gotten through by relying on her Christian faith. Although I walk a different path, I can't help but be inspired by her tenacity and fortitude to be proactive about her healing by being educated and calling upon the Divine that gives her strength. For anyone dealing with cancer, especially on a long term basis, it's worth having a read through.
13. Frank - Flicking Hell!:- Ok, now I'm crossing the line from maybe being a bit biased to being completely biased. This is my husband's blog, which is still fairly new. Inspiring? Well, it might be for those who enjoy watching films of all sorts. In this blog, he gives his views on films old and new. I'm not the film buff he is, but some of his entries are quite entertaining to read. If anything, check it out because it's my hubby's blog and I just love him. :)
14. Erin Richardson - Erin's Art Journal:- Were you wondering when I'd get back to artists' blogs? Wonder no more! Erin's art is just the sort of whimsical folk art that I love and I love her blog because I love the way she posts about how she creates her artwork. She includes smatterings of other things like pictures of her world around her and bits of poetry. I just like her art though and find great inspiration when she takes one through how she creates it. For someone like me who dabbles in art, it's inspiring and educational!
15. Silver Ravenwolf - The Crow at the Crossroads:- Ok, probably another surprising one, but hear me out. I know Silver gets a bad rap amongst some Pagans, however, it can't be denied that Silver's books have inspired many to find their own spiritual path. She's doing something very right. She's sold millions of books and continues to do so and still tours and does all sorts. She writes regularly in her blog and I find many of her posts creative and inspiring. Her latest blog post, however, is more than just inspiring, it's disturbing and thought provoking, some might say shocking. It's a very powerful message. I enjoy reading Silver's blog and find that she's a terrific source of ideas and inspiration.
Whew! I have to say this was more difficult than I thought it might be. Limiting it to 15 was challenging. There are many others who deserve to be nominated too and perhaps at another time I will do another post detailing others who should get this award. In the meantime, enjoy the great blogs I've listed above!
Thank you so very much, Elle! I am deeply touched, and I feel all sparkly and giggly. I think I needed this today! Thank you for this gift! I'm looking forward to sharing it with others ... right now!
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