I had the honor of having a “Beautiful Blogger” award bestowed to me by the lovely and talented, Aileen Mahoney of Kaizen Vision. Aileen also graced four other outstanding bloggers with this award. Check out her post here: The Beauty of Shared Gifts.
Aileen is a writer, a blogger, artist and a dancer. Right now we’re all awaiting the news of whether she’s gotten the part of Snow Flake in the Nutcracker. I hope so!
Aileen writes about the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen:
Kaizen is the Japanese philosophy that embodies small incremental continuous improvements for the betterment of the whole. It seeks to eliminate excess and optimize efficiency. It’s most frequently seen in the business world as a productivity system that humanizes the workforce.
Aileen’s goal is to “live life with a kaizen vision, seeing my life as a work in progress and opening myself up- to continuous small improvements for an ever-evolving fulfilling life.”
Reading Kaizen Vision has taught me the power of patience, and taking small steps toward my goal. I’m very much an “all or nothing” personality. If I like something – I throw myself into it and usually have unrealistic expectations about the project’s growth. I can see now that it’s much more satisfying to watch for the “tiny buds” of progress. I’m now enjoying the process and journey more – than just hurrying to the destination. Thank you Aileen!
Part of the Beautiful Blogger Award is to tell readers 7 things about yourself. I feel as if I’ve been so outspoken about my life already, but I suppose there are more things about me you don’t know.
1. I’m an astrologer. I’ve been casting charts since I was a teen – back before we had computer programs to calculate everything for you.
2. I enjoy reading in bed before I go to sleep. I’m usually reading 2 or 3 books at one time, so each night I choose one and read for about 15 – 20 minutes before shutting the light.
3. I love quiet mornings alone with my thoughts and my coffee. I prefer to hear the birds chatter over people at that hour.
4. When I was a private banker, I was never more surprised than when I was in one of the poshest buildings in NYC visiting a client and saw a roach trap in their bathroom. I was very happy to go home to the suburbs after that. That was the end of my penthouse envy!
5. I studied screen writing & media ecology in grad school. I love good dialogue.
6. When I was five I got angry with my father and flushed his good watch down the toilet. I’ve since grown out of that habit.
7. I got my first pack of Tarot cards from a Lillian Vernon catalogue. I think they cost $3.99, which was a lot back then. I think my allowance was only 50 cents per week!
Now that you know a bit more about me I can get to fun part of passing on the Beautiful Blogger Award to five wonderful recipients. I could have chosen a dozen or more bloggers to pass this award to since there are so many worthy recipients, but five is the maximum number you can give.
Cristina Colli of Positively Beauty – Cristina writes about beauty, so what could be more fitting than to bestow the Beautiful Blogger Award upon her? Her blog is about cultivating inspiration for fine living. She’s an artist, interior designer, and a writer. She always has the most beautiful photos on her site. Make some time to visit Positively Beauty and view her gorgeous photography. Cristina’s blog inspires me to be more creative, whether it is in decorating or setting a fine table.
Joy Christin of Unfolding Your Path to Joy – Joy is truly a joy. Her blog is about love and exudes both love and joy. When I visit I know my heart will be lifted. Joy has such a positive view of life and lives a fascinating life. Do you she lives on a sailboat? She’s a Light worker, a life coach and a caterer. She says she was born with a smile on her face, and you know I totally believe it!
Leah McClellen of Peaceful Planet – Leah writes about how improving our communication skills can be the catalyst for more peaceful relationships and ultimately a peaceful planet. Leah is a freelance writer, a part-time English instructor, and a Second Degree Reiki practitioner. She’s also a trained researcher (M.A. English, psychology concentration). She also loves animals as much as I do. Thank you Leah for sending distance Reiki healing to my gravely ill cat, Stevie.
Manal Ghosain of One With Now – Manal teaches that to be at peace we need to accept what’s happening in the present. I love her philosophy about peace. Manal says that seeking peace creates an inner struggle resulting in our being in a state of need. In this state we are far from peaceful. Instead she advises that we see inner peace as not something to be attained, but rather uncovered. Powerful, life changing advice – don’t you think?
Tess Marshall of The Bold Life – Tess describes herself as: a wife, mother, entrepreneur, speaker, author, workshop and retreat leader, spiritually-based, fear shattering, calculated risk taker, obsessed with being happy, courageous and bold, witty, big-hearted, loving, passionate, runner, world traveler and ADHD hyper human being. Her posts are all heart, and full of love.
I don’t know about you, but I think anyone who spreads love, beauty, peace and joy throughout the planet is a worthy recipient of the Beautiful Blogger Award! Energy does follow thought, and I appreciate that via their blogs their thoughts are creating a better world. I want to thank these 5 lovely women for what they do and share with all of us.
If you’re not yet familiar with any of these 5 exceptional bloggers – visit their sites to see why I’m raving about them here.
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Congratulations on your award! I’ll go and check out the blogs you recommend. I already love The Bold Life and Unfolding Your Path To Jo.
Thank you Betsy. I’m glad you’re going to check out the other blogs. Thanks for visiting and commenting Betsy.
All beauties! I love the love and support that is flowing through the community of Beautiful Bloggers. You are full of surprises, Angela… I loved reading that you have a passion for screen writing and good dialogue. If I wasn’t so enamored with this conversation, sometimes I think I would like to write a funny sitcom. After all, a good comedy exposes the “insanity of humanity”… which was what we are all doing to some degree
Thank you so much Rob. I’m so glad I could surprise you Rob! I think you could write a funny sitcom.
I love that – the insanity of humanity – perfect way to describe a sitcom too. I used to write teases, promos and news pieces, but the most fun I had was writing a comedic play! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. It’s always a pleasure to see you here.
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much. I don’t know if the info I shared about myself was all that deep, but it’s what popped into my mind at the moment!
I’m glad I could introduce you to some new bloggers as well. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Hi Angela! Congrats! You truly deserve it. Thanks for sharing with us some more amazingly beautiful bloggers. That’s an impressive list.
I also love quiet mornings and to read in bed before going to sleep. Although, I’m usually so tired that I don’t last long with the book.
I’m glad to get to know you a little better, thanks for sharing! Loving blessings!
Angela,
This is so beautiful post itself! I love how beautifully you described Aileen and her blog. I have to write and give blog award too, better get on it! You are so organized, Angela!
I will check out the beautiful blogger you shared here, some of them I have read in past.
Hello fellow beautiful blogger!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and that I could introduce you to some new bloggers.
I felt as if I took to long to pass on the award – so for you to say I’m organized is a surprise. But, thank you!
Angela,
I truly feel privileged to be on your list with an amazing group of talented bloggers. Thank you so much.
I love this line: Energy does follow thought. You are indeed a bright light and a source of inspiration. Loved reading more about you. You are a fascinating person and I’m so thankful to have gotten to know you.
Hi Manal,
I’m so happy I could give you the award. You so deserved it! Your blog always feels so serene when I visit. Sending people on their way feeling serene after reading your blog is a priceless gift.
I’m so glad I got to know you too! Thank you for saying such nice things too. I’m blushing….
You absolutely deserve it! Thanks for introducing me to those exceptional bloogers.
Hi Rosemarie,
Thank you – my pleasure!
A big congrats to you from a very Pisces girl. 🙂 I loved learning more about you, Angela! I also adore quiet mornings and used to save up for goodies from Lillian Vernon too!
I am so excited to check out the other beautiful bloggers you mentioned here. There are some new names to me and it’s almost like getting a present when you get turned on to a new blog full of good stuff. Thanks for that and thanks for being a beautiful blogger. Your space here radiates warmth and is always welcoming. 🙂
Hi Emma,
Thank you so much for all your kind words! I’m so glad you feel welcomed here – ’cause your appreciated and cherished too!
I’m glad I could introduce you to some new bloggers too.
This is so awesome. I love how the cycle of the beautiful blogger award is weaving it’s way through some of my favourite bloggers. I also am thrilled to hear you are a fellow screenwriter. Dialogue rocks. Well deserved Angela. You are a beautiful blogger.
Hi Katie,
How sweet of you! Thank you. Absolutely – couldn’t of said it better myself, “Dialogue rocks!”
Thank you so much for all your support too – you beautiful blogger.
Wonderful and congrats on you awards. Love Tess and thanks for introducing me to 4 new bloggers
hugs
Suzie
Suzie – thank you so much! I’m glad I was able to introduce you to 4 wonderful new bloggers.
I’ve been enjoying your videos! You’re a very talented interviewer! I’m so glad we connected.
Hi Angela,
I’m a butterflies and glitter girl..and in my dream last night every time I’d go to fly a dewdrop would interrupt my flight..*grin* in real life there is rain and new leaks on the boat, so the dewdrop was actually a raindrop from a new leak above where I sleep..still woke with a smile at the humor in it all…
And being included in such a ‘love-ly’ post made my smile even more radiant today..
It truly is about perspective…
Thank you for adding delight to this day..I love what you share through your blog and “The Daily Brainstorm”..you inspire me in many ways…I am thrilled to be included today:)
Joy, thank you. It’s a privilege to know that I’m able to inspire you. And, it’s my true pleasure to be able to share this award with you. I think you’re amazing. You’ve been through so much in your life, yet you still have such an unjaded heart and want to share so much positivity with all of us. That – is priceless! Enjoy your “Queen for a day status!”
Sorry to hear bout the new leak in the boat!
Angela,
Congratulations on receiving this award and passing along to 5 such worthy recipients. It was fun to get to know more about you. Loved the watch story!
Hi Sandra,
Thank you so much. As I said – it was really hard to narrow down to just 5 recipients. You, and so many others I know in our “community” are soo deserving. My poor dad – what he had to put with from me!
Thanks for sharing Angela. Kaizen Vision is a valuable approach to life. I also believe we are always in the state of learning and re-defining ourselves.
You are a worthy recipient of this award.
Take care,
Alex
Alex,
Thank you so much. You know I wanted to give it to you – but I felt it was too “feminine” an award. If it was called “The Heart-felt Blogger Award,” or something a bit less girlie I would have! You deserve it too for all the good and positivity you share through your blog!
LOL- I read several books at once as well!
There’s nothing like sitting listening to the birds……..
HI Carolee,
I’ve always done that – I get excited about a new book and start it while I’m still reading the old one.
I love to hear the birds – which is why I don’t like being shut up in the house in Winter.
Hi Angela,
what a wonderful surprise to receive the award! Thank you so much for thinking of me 🙂
I totally understand your love for quiet mornings – I’m exactly the same!! And I laughed out loud when I read about your father’s watch. He wasn’t too pleased, I’m sure 🙂
Time to think of what to reveal of myself, and which blogger I can grace with the award…will be hard!
Hi Cristina,
You’re so welcome. I do love your photographs. I only wish I could decorate as well as you do.
My poor dad – It was a German gold watch he’d brought home from the WWII.
It’s not easy to narrow down to 5 – let me tell you!
Hey Angela,
These are amazing people you have for the award! Also that whole concept of Kaizen is pretty fascinating to me, I too feel like I am an all or nothing type of personality. But, I have also noticed in my own writing projects that small incraments of improvements daily do bring betterment for the whole. Excellent post.
Hi Baker,
Yes, they are amazing people. I know – learning to be satisfied with small changes in small increments makes a huge difference in the long run.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post – and thanks so much for commenting.
Angela, thank you for your lovely words! I love the 5 bloggers you chose 🙂 they are great!!
When I read your # 6 I could absolutely see a little 5 year old doing that. I’m sure he didn’t find it funny at all, but reading it was 🙂
I also enjoyed how your penthouse envy faded 🙂
p.s. I just found out that I’ll be a Snow Flake this December!!
Aileen,
Congratulations! That’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you.
Thank you again for gifting me with this lovely award.
I’m glad you liked the 5 bloggers I chose. I wanted to include some men, but I started to feel they might think the award was too feminine. It was really hard to pick only 5.
Yes, I no longer flush watches down the toilet – and yes my father was pretty damn mad, especially since we lived in an apartment then and he couldn’t trace it through the pipes like he might have in a private home.
No more “Penthouse Envy” for me!
Personally, I don’t like to read more books at once, I prefer to read them one by one, but I know lots of people who read several books at once… 😉
Interesting award Angela, “Beautiful Blogger” is a great idea… while I write this I read Kaizen Vision for the first time… it seems like a blog with great content, Kaizen is great topic…
Thanks for sharing these great resources…
Hi Marko,
You’re welcome! You know I wanted to include some men in the award, but it seems to be a very “girlie” type of award.
I’m glad you discovered Kaizen Vision!
I like to switch books sometimes, or if I’ve bought a new one and am already reading an old one – sometimes I just can’t wait and start the new one.
Thank you Tess!
Thanks so much Joy!