Recognition is key to keep people motivated. To make them feel that what they do matters. To encourage them to keep going and growing.
About a week ago, I received a wonderful little note from Marco Laberge from Toward Minimalism to let me know that he nominated my blog for the Sunshine Award. It’s an award that bloggers pass on to other bloggers to encourage them to keep inspiring others.
At the point, I received his email, my blog had gotten a little stuck. Twitter had started to assume much of my extra time, and I’d nearly forgotten how much I like to really “sit in the chair” and write. Well, Marco, your encouragement helped me to start writing again, and I am very thankful for that.
So how does the Sunshine Award work?
According to the rules, a nominee should:
• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.
• Nominate other bloggers for the Sunshine Award.
• Write the same number of questions for the bloggers you nominated as you received with your nomination.
• Notify the bloggers you have nominated.
Marco’s Questions and My Answers
1. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
My blog is more or less my journal, my diary, my thoughts. Bringing them on paper is my way to reflect. To learn more about myself, to recognize what life is all about, to find out where I would like life to take me. Blogging has made me a different person. May sound a bit over the top, but that’s what it feels like. I’ve become more aware & more appreciative of all the little things that make up life.
2. How did you come up with your blog title?
I started to blog at a time where I really needed a hug, and the more hugs I received, the stronger I felt. The beauty of a hug is that you can’t receive one without giving one as well. It’s an amazing vicious circle. Two arms around you are very simple, powerful & real. It even works virtually; a kind word, a little note, a hello, could make my heart feel just a little warmer and bring a smile to my face. Did you ever notice how your voice changes when you have a smile on your face? It does. Well, that’s what my blog is all about. Embrace life, yourself but most of all others. Find people that bring a smile to your face, make you feel embraced, make you want to pass on a little love and trigger a chain reaction, a ripple, even a boomerang. As I firmly believe, that what you send into this world will come echoing back at you.
3. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Arms that could hug the whole world :-)
4. What is your favorite meal?
Too many :) I love all kinds of food. I love dark chocolate; I can’t resist peanut M&M’s, but I also love radishes and dark German bread. I love cheese, not just old Gouda but also stinky Swiss cheese. I love Italian food and traditional Dutch dishes like “andijviestamppot”. I love tortillas with guacamole with a nice glass of wine. It’s good that I enjoy sports to burn some of those calories that just aren’t needed when you sit in front of a PC . . . A typical first world problem.
5. Describe one of your favorite childhood memories.
I’ve had a most wonderful childhood, lucky me. So there are many. My parents used to have a beach restaurant. When all the guests would be gone, there were times where I would move all the chairs and tables to the side of the terrace, turn up the music and have lots of space to dance. Out in the open, the darkness around me, the smell of the ocean in my nose, literally feeling the music everywhere.
6. Apart from blogging and writing, what is your favorite hobby?
Dancing, photography, yoga, barbell training, reading, talking (ask my friends :-)), meeting new people, travelling and of course hugging :)
Six Questions for My Nominees
• Why did you start blogging?
• If you could give other bloggers one tip what would it be?
• If you had unlimited funds what would you do with your time?
• What are you most grateful for?
• If you could change one thing in this world, what would it be?
• What’s one of the top thing on your bucket list?
My Nominees for the Sunshine Award
Mat and Danielle at www.exploringalternatives.ca
Michelle at: www.sharingselfimprovement.com
The anonymous person behind: http://craughing.com
Karl at: http://www.tinythoughtguy.com
Jo at: http://inspireportal.com
Terence Brown at: http://helpgrowchange.com
Donna Henderson at: http://alittlebirdtweets.com
