#65: Nominate!

image from here

I would like to humbly thank Aiyshah who blogs at Aiyshah’s English Page, for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I was pleasantly surprised and very appreciative, humbled and honoured upon receiving her nomination.

It takes a special person to nominate someone for an award. Such a person is extremely selfless in appreciating another human being, by going the extra mile to seek out a relevant award and taking the time and effort to complete the nomination requirements. They do this simply because they want to acknowledge the value of another person to this world and put a smile on someone else’s face. This remarkable demonstration of appreciation is humbling to me and while nominating someone for an award is intended to celebrate the outstanding recipient, I’d like to take a moment to also acknowledge the everyday heroes who so selflessly nominate others. Awards do have their value. In being a nominee or an award recipient, it is certainly uplifting and encouraging to be so thoughtfully recognized by others, but the best rewards are intrinsic–that is, the true fulfillment coming from a completely authentic, internal sense of motivation, not reliant on external factors–and I think this can be achieved by nominating someone else. It’s truly a win-win situation, and it’s a beautiful thing. 

Here are the answers to Aiyshah’s questions for me:

1.- If you could travel to one country that you have never been, where would it be and why? Ecuador and specifically, the Galapagos Islands. It would be fascinating to see the vast number of species there that gave Darwin insight into his theories on evolution and it would be a privilege to go there before the impact of rising sea levels (climate change) takes its toll on the island (sadly). 

2.- What is your favourite quote of all time? I don’t quite have one, as I love so many different quotes, but I really like Nelson Mandela’s quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

3.- Which teacher had the biggest impact on your life and why? Next to my parents, it would be my gymnastics coach Larry, because he allowed my intrinsic love for the sport to flourish, which had a big impact on my identity and confidence growing up. 

4.- What is the scariest movie you have ever seen? I don’t have one particular movie in mind as I try not to watch that genre too often, but I find the scariest movies are those that represent real life and deal with human rights abuses (war, sex crimes, abductions, threats to safety, identity, freedom etc). One of my favourite movies is ‘Incendies’, and while I wouldn’t categorize it as ‘scary’, it is powerful and touches on some of the aforementioned abuses. 

5.- If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why? Someone with nothing more than the basic necessities of life, because I think it would give me greater perspective on how true happiness is achieved. If I could have one more day though (pretty please!)….I would want to be the opposite of that; someone with a great deal of wealth and power in the world, so that I could use that power to effect positive change in the world, and also gain another completely different perspective on true happiness and peace. 

6.- What animal do you most identify with and why? An elephant because self awareness and social connectedness are a big part of their (and my) being.

7.- If you could open a new business what would it be and why? A school for teaching and instilling social justice through the arts…I’m assuming this blog explains the why!

8.- Have you ever had a piece of writing published by a publishing company, if so what was it and where? No, but I would love to one day!

9.- If you didn’t have a cent to your name, what would make you happy (other than money)? If I were to answer this question literally (that is, I literally didn’t even have 1 cent), then I’m pretty sure that food, water and shelter would make me happy, but taken figuratively, I think what would make me happy would be the same things that currently make me happy–self-love, inner growth, friends, family, community, giving back and the arts. 

10.- What is the best remedy for a rough day? Dancing, music, cuddles and laughs with my son and hubby. 

Now, in passing on the generosity, I would like to nominate a few other blogs that I enjoy. My apologies as I don’t have a long list of blogs to recommend (I only follow a few, as I find it difficult to keep up with a multitude of blogs, articles, books, current events, and social media, on top of living everyday life!…anyone else feel me on this?), and I know that some of the ones I’m about to mention have more than 200 followers, but regardless, I would like to give a shout out to ‘Eunoia’, ‘The Spicy Learning Blog’, ‘Oh She Glows’, ‘On her Way to Perfection’, and the ‘Science of Mom’. There are many many other positive, thought-provoking and authentic blogs out there and I commend each and every one of them for putting out that positive energy into the world.

Thanks again and here are my questions to pass on to the above blogs:

1. What is your definition of success?

2. What is your definition of happiness?

3. What is one quote that you love?

4. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge we face in the world and what do you think is the answer?

5. Is there a must-read or must-watch book or movie (respectively,) you would recommend?

6. What do you think is most important in raising happy, secure and altruistic children?

7. What is your best time-management strategy?

8. What is a quality, skill or thing you admire in others, that you would like to work on more yourself?

9. Best decision you ever made? Worst?

10. What is one totally random, quirky thing about you?

Advertisement