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Amongst other things, this is a love story.... the theme changes occasionally... this year it is fitness and learning to love yourself.

1 May 2013

Reflections post #atozchallenge. I survived 2013




Over 4500 views... Congratulations the crowds go wild. I am thrilled with the results of the A to Z challenge and the outcome of my theme 'Healing with words', from a deck of Magic Spirit Cards I have loved for (almost) decades. The list of words is here, and includes ones that aren't in the deck because not every letter was represented. Other people have added words to the list too. When I am stuck for blog inspiration I will choose one of them to write about.  You too can go to the link and add a word or two if you like.

Now to the the organisers, co-hosts, assistants and helpers of the A to Z Challenge - Thank You.  I also enjoyed being one of L.Diane Wolfe's Spunky soldiers Here's the badge to prove it. 




This challenge is more than just social interaction, it has changed a very important part of my life, and no doubt created dreams for many hundreds of people.  

Would I change anything about this challenge?  No

Ok maybe one suggestion. I noticed a few drop outs because of 'too many rules'  I don't agree that there are too many, it really can't get much looser - but I loved  Klahanie's (aka Gary's) C.B.A approach of doing a post every few days, which included more than one letter. It might be easier for people that have full time lives that drag them away from the home, or stop participating because they feel like they've failed if they miss a post or two. Even though Gary is a grumbler about 'not participating' and is the most active anarchic participant - it might be worth taking note of.

Would I recommend new and/or experienced bloggers to join in?  I did and I will.

Would I suggest creating a new email account to keep up to date with posts, comments and replies?  Yes 

As a novice here's a summary of what happened along the way, as well as the links to all my A to Z 2013 posts - they should open in new windows so click, click away.  

A-  A is for Abundance  

Thrilling, first contact with new bloggers, up early - down late...  - I read a lot, fast and have dozens of tabs open waiting to be read. I know I can't keep up the pace of today's enthusiasm.

B - B is for Balance

I feel like I'm the first person in the world to post, and need to work out how to sort out comments and replies.  Today I received 100's of birthday wishes in my email, for  Joanne and Kate, my birthday is next year.  Wow Benevolent Bradley at Pass the sour cream did a special post just to teach me how to do links in comments.  

C - C is for Clarity

Night owls become early birds, scheduling posts to publish after midnight means I get to wake up to new comments.  Fun

D - D is for Dreams

So many many blogs to read...  Still trying to work out how to keep track. I want to go back and don't know how to get there - I've offered to be a Spunky Soldier - that's 20 more pages to check

E - E is for Embrace

Felt a warm embrace - It's a great idea to get ahead with posts but try not to accidentally post G instead of E!

F - F is for Freedom

We meet my first character - It's easier to talk about myself  - writing about someone else means I have to learn character description building -  and for some reason I keep trying to write poems.

G - G is for Grateful

I'm starting to find a few favourite blogs.  Greta the grouch grape, and Ermie and his GPS made me smile.

H. H is for Humility

Humbled when people share their thoughts - every comment is appreciated but special mentions to,   Susan at The Garden of EdenSusan at Siouxsies musingsZoe at re-written, and Mel at the Drafty Garret - ok too many mention and link too...

I - I is for Intuition - Healing with words

J - J is for Joy

So sleep deprived, one more post to publish, one more blog to read, one more comment to make, one more reply to answer, 4 hours later... forgot to eat - and do I sleep in late - I'm up at the crack of dawn to continue.

K - K is for Knowledge

At this point I stopped writing a daily reflection.

L - L is for Laughter

I changed to the title of the theme from words of change to healing with words.

M M is for Magic

The first post that was determined to be written despite it being nothing like what I had planned.

N - N is for Nothing

A sigh of relief - this poem has wanted attention for a long time.

O - O is for OK, Okay?  - 

The first letter that wasn't in my deck of cards - Ok seemed an obvious choice and turned out to be a lot of fun.


The most nerve wracking, a piece of my novel presented for the first time.


Another choice word. Who doesn't love a good quote?

R - R is for Receive - 

What a perfect day to receive the first of two Leibster and an Inspiring blogger award, from Me at Scribblings and Brandy at Brandy's bustlings


No not snakes, just so many S words to choose from that includes a sweet and sexy story.


I had no doubt this word would provide some of it's own magic.


Nominated for my 3rd Leibster blog award by the lovely Mary Hill

V - V is for Valid  

Away for a few days, this was the last of my ahead of schedule posts.


The last three letters were like the last 3 km's of a marathon. End in sight, not sure how I was going to make it.  I knew I could do it, but the energy levels were depleting fast.  Through this subconcious haze a miracle happened.  


A letter to a friend, this one was so personal it almost never made it to screen, the most heart felt post.


A contronym that had me confused and a fun word game...


You think by the time you get to the end of something you have it all figured out, this post was one of those "I feel so stupid but so much smarter now" moments.  :)

I have one more blog I have to mention - Miss Bates at Embrace yourself alliterated her way through the whole alphabet.  Joining her in this journey has been rewarding.  You will need a dictionary for many of her posts, her efforts are even more amazing when you know that English is not her first language... the power of the mind is ineffably incredible.

I'll be keeping my 2014 calendar as free as possible so that I can take on this challenge again. I'm thinking of doing Australian slang for the next one... 

In the meantime - I'll be giving myself a pat on the back for a job well done, sorting out the inbox mess I have created, following my inspirations (which could be this May Challenge), checking out yours and Sailing through Spring and Summer. Literally because a friend just lent us his yacht, you should see The Captain's smile...

Lots of love always

Ida

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Add a word to my healing with words of change list here.





Story of my life. Blog every day in May Challenge. Day 1

If you are joining me from Story of My Life's Link List, the response to Day 1's task is in the 'about me' section just above this.  

I've signed up to do another challenge, because there'll be no blog police checking to make sure that I do the posts every day. Also, one of my dear new e-quaintance's Klahanie has taught me the value of 'not participating' in challenges, just to support the spirit of the challenge, which fosters a passion for writing and sharing, and quite possibly one of the best ways for budding bloggers to begin blooming (I'm still in a bit of an alphabet daze - I'm not sure I will ever stop alliterating.)  

I won't be doing posts every day because I just finished the A to Z challenge yesterday.  It was thrilling and I am road trip tired. It's time to unpack and as a result of my dedication aka obsessive tendencies, I owe my tribe, garden, house, manuscript and studies for a Danish exam in a few weeks some time, devotion and attention.  

Here's the topics if anyone is interested, and here's the link to the Blog every day in May challenge. 


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Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

 
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I'll be doing a reflections on the A to Z blogging challenge before the 3rd of May and gently plodding away at my adventures and looking forward to meeting and greeting in blogland.