It would be disingenuous to say that the blogosphere is one big happy family – I’ve run into a few blogs that, for various reasons, are a little tough – but on the whole I’ve found it’s a very supportive group of creatives out here.  The kind of people who are busy living their lives and developing their blogs, but they still take time to visit Riddle from the Middle and often leave a kind thought as well.

They’re what folks around here call good people.   

One such fabulous person, Tonya from Fourth Generation Farmgirl, was gracious enough to include me in her nominations for the Miranda Sings Award, and I’m honored to be among such wonderful bloggers.  This unique award was created by Claudia’s Thoughts to celebrate ourselves.  (Quick – what are the first three things you think of when I ask what do you love?  How many of you named something about yourself in your top three?  Exactly.)  It’s easy to compliment others or to name our faults; celebrating ourselves doesn’t always come as naturally.

Rules:

1. Announce the award with a post and link the blogger who nominated you.

2. Include the featured image on your blog post.

3. Nominate 10 bloggers (or as many as you can think of) and link your awardees in the post.

4. List 7 things you love about yourself (eg. appearance, personality, achievements, etc.).

5. Describe yourself in a positive manner. Don’t use negative connotations.

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret:  It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”  -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

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My list:

  1. My writing.  I love how it feels when an idea burns through my mind and the words fly through my fingers onto the screen.  When I read a piece I’ve written and really feel the emotion behind it – the humor, the passion, even the anger and frustration.  It makes me feel alive.
  2. My hair.  I love how it’s gotten curlier over the years.  Or maybe I’ve learned how to deal with it, I don’t know.  Either way, I love my curls.
  3. My open-mindedness.  The world around us is fascinating, and I tend toward tolerance when it comes to different ideas and cultures.  I’ve become even more open-minded with age, better able to peacefully discuss and debate even my most firmly held beliefs.  This last year has been one of remarkable personal growth for me – changes I never would have experienced if I hadn’t been open to change.
  4. My sense of humor.  Okay, granted, not everybody appreciates it.  And in the wrong context my sarcasm-based banter can even be offensive, so it’s important to remember my audience.  But snarky wit has lightened many loads along the way, making life a lot more fun in general.  Plus my kids have gained their own appreciation of their mom’s humor, so bonus.
  5. My muscular build.  I’ve always been strong.  Okay, maybe not my arms so much, my upper body strength is more T-rex than Schwarzenegger.  My legs, though…I’ve always had athletic legs, strong and powerful, a trait that in turn makes me feel strong and powerful.  And that’s awesome.
  6. My work ethic.  I’m intrinsically driven to do well in the things I take on.  School, coaching, teaching, blogging – once I commit to something I give it 110%, digging down deep to push through when the going gets tough.  I’m really proud of the things I’ve accomplished so far in my life.
  7. My voice.  I love to sing.  I’ve been doing it since middle school, and over time it’s been a wonderful source of joy.  My voice has grown stronger over the years, and even now I’m growing in this skill.  Confidence must come with middle age because I’ve taken risks singing this year that I never would have tried in my youth.

As for my Miranda Sings nominees:

Stomperdad

Cordelia’s Mom

Marcia

Molly B and Me

Colline

Herding Chickens

Three’s a Herd

RobynChristi

A Fresh Voice

Sass & Balderdash

These are blogs I enjoy visiting.  Your nomination is meant as a compliment – there is no obligation to participate.

Miranda Sings