Brotherhood of the World-Bloggers Award

August 10, 2015 raphaela9915 Comments

The wonderful Annie of Gentle Kindness has nominated me for The Brotherhood of the World Bloggers Award! Thankyou so much, my friend!

The RULES:

Thank and link back to the person who nominated you for the award.

List the Rules and Display the Brotherhood of the world Award logo to your post and/or blog.
Answer the questions set to you.
Nominate around ten bloggers.
Create your set of questions for your nominees.

I Nominate the Following:

A Momma’s View

Thistles and Kiwis

lovehappinessand peace

Passion through Poetry

Here are the questions Annie set:

Tell us about one of your favorite characters, either from a book or a movie and what is appealing to you about them.

I love Dorothy Hewett, an Australian author, who wrote an autobiography, Wild Card. I adore women who live on their own terms; a brave and difficult thing to do!

2. Do you use personal experiences or beliefs in your writing? How do you incorporate those into your writing?

I certainly do! I come from a place of whimsy and observation, and love to address big issues, which get people thinking. It would be nice if every piece of writing could be sewn up with a positive conclusion. Some pieces are meant to float in the ethers, without a neat ending. I try to make my writing feel as though we were having a conversation about the matter at hand.

Do you incorporate any of your own personality into your writing? How do you do this?

I don’t think that you can help but have your personality seep into your writing. My favourite words, for instance, tend to make their way in there!

My questions for the nominated:

1. Your favourite phrase?

2. Where do you do most of your writing?

3. Do you play music or prefer silence when writing?

The Sunshine Award

July 22, 2015 raphaela9915 Comments

Art by Rob Goldstein has nominated me for The Sunshine Award. Thankyou, my friend! I am humbled and honoured.

The Rules:

*Thank the person who nominated you.

*Answer the questions from the person who has nominated you.

*Nominate some other bloggers for this award.

*Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you have nominated.

My Questions:

1. What is your definition of courage?

We are all frightened, especially in the face of danger or the unknown. Courage is what makes you keep going, despite trauma and fear. It is the point of peace that declares, ‘this is not how my story will end.’ Courage is facing a new day or going to a social event full of unknown faces. We have it inherit in us.

2. What part does compassion play in your life?

Compassion plays a huge part. I have to be compassionate with myself, as well as those around me. When I physically can’t do anymore that day, I will rest. It is stepping outside your own experience, and asking, if I was in that situation, how would I like to be treated?

3. If you had a mental illness, how would you want people to treat you?

I suffer PTSD, anxiety and at times, depression. I love people to invite me for coffee, a movie or just to chat. I just want them to be with me. The feeling of aloneness is one of the worst things in the world when symptoms flare up.

4. What do you like most about aging? (or getting older?)

You can see the big picture of your life and see how far you have come.

5. What is your worst fear?

Heights! Apart from that, being alone. The feeling of being rejected or abandoned.

I nominate:

Witless Dating After Fifty

Afternoon of Sundries

My Questions Are:

1. What gives you joy in your life?

2. Which season do you prefer and why?

3. If you could be an animal, what would it be?

4. What movies do you love?

5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Dragons Loyalty Award

July 8, 2015 raphaela996 Comments

4 Year Old Adult has nominated me for the Dragons Loyalty Award. Thankyou very much for this honour!
Here are the rules:
1.Thank the giver and link their blog to your post.
2.Pass the award on to other bloggers of your choice and let them know that they have been nominated.
3.List 7 facts about yourself.
Here Goes!
1. I am caught between being an extrovert and somebody incapacitated by fear of social settings.
2. I have been creating a mandala each night, and have been amazed by what has come up. It’s interesting to look at a few week’s worth and see what has popped out of my brain!
3. I wake up each night at 3am. I usually read and think before having a light sleep again for an hour or so.
4. I love riding the red double-decker bus around Sydney with my daughter. I turn the phone off and relax.
5. I love good coffee and fine wines, preferably with a harpist playing at a lovely venue.
6. I love photographs and feel a little overwhelmed that I now have a few year’s worth to print off! Digital photography has made the taking of pictures easy. Too easy!
7. I am eccentric, though only in my routine, diet, dress sense, hair, way of thinking and decorating. I love people who stand out as individuals.
I nominate the following:
Corina
Wonder of My Worlds

Once a Victim, now a Survivor

June 28, 2015June 29, 2015 raphaela994 Comments

I am incredibly touched that Gentle Kindness nominated me for the Once a Victim Now a Survivor Award.

This award is for those who have gone through mental illness of any kind, abuse, trauma, and especially PTSD. Here are the rules:

Thank the blogger that nominated you
Nominate 5 – 10 bloggers to pass the award to
Post questions for your nominees to answer (you may use the same as these below)
Inform your nominees and post a comment in their blog to let them know they’ve been nominated

Here are the questions for my nominees. Feel free to skip any questions that you want to skip. You can fill in your own questions as you feel appropriate.

1. In what ways do you feel that blogging can help people with psychological trauma or mental illness?

Most definitely! It gives you a platform to not only articulate your experience and feelings, but also to educate.

2. How has blogging helped you with your healing, or your personal journey?

Being able to tell my story has been invaluable, and the messages of support I have received are incredibly uplifting. We are a real community! I certainly feel validated.

3. What books, movies, or YouTube channels would you recommend to someone with a similar background to you?

I have written a book called Lived to Tell. It details what occurred, and most importantly, how I came back from hell. It has a happy ending! People placed bets that I wouldn’t live to fifteen, and now I am a grown woman. That still makes me shake my head in wonder! My worst day now pales when compared to my worst days then.

Here are my Nominees:

There are so many others, and you all deserve this award. Please put it up if you would like to.

The Creative Blogger Award

June 18, 2015 raphaela9910 Comments

The wonderful Erika nominated me for The Creative Blogger Award! Thankyou very much, my friend!

Here are the rules:

* Display the Creative Blogger Award logo on your blog
* Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify all nominees via their social media/blogs
* Thank and post the link of the blog that nominated you (very important)
* Share 5 random facts about yourself to your readers
* Pass these rules on to them

Seven Random Facts About Me:

1. I am shrinking with age. My last bone density scan showed I have lost 2cm in height!

2. One of my favourite meals is steamed vegetables with chilli beans and cheese. I also love Indian and Italian food. A vegetarian can always find something yummy to eat!

3. I can’t resist anything covered in sparkles, or that is shiny and/or glittery!

4. I want to create more art when I grow up (I don’t like the odds, seeing as I am shrinking)!

5. I can’t stand ironing and buy clothes that don’t require it when I can. I don’t understand ironing at all!

6. My lavender scones are the stuff of legend and the aroma of the lavender flowers streaming from the oven is heavenly.

7. I love gift baskets and buy far too many at fetes!

I Nominate:

MaKupsy

Journey of MsT

A Red Lip And A Nude Shoe

Cooking with a Wallflower

The Practical Mystic

witlessdatingafterfifty

Liebster Award

May 6, 2015 raphaela996 Comments

The wonderful Jose Finemk has nominated me for the Leibster Award. Since I started my blog, I have been overwhelmed at the kindness and friendship shown in the blogging realm.

The Rules.

Thank the blogger who nominated you & answer their questions.

Think of 10 new questions and nominate other bloggers you would like to know more about.

Here are my answers to the questions asked.

1. What is the best photograph you took whilst travelling?

I have a few. Mostly they are of my daughter. Travelling with a fresh pair of eyes incites wonder and a thrilling sense of awe.

Making wishes for peace at Crystal Castle

2. Where would you like to travel that you have never been before?

My soul is calling out for me to travel to London, Paris and New York. I have many wondrous places on my list!

3. Describe your blog in 5 words.

Love, survival, hope, colour and whimsy.

4. If you could speak a language fluently, what would it be?

Definitely Spanish. Such an expressive language!

5. What was the most surprising element of a travel experience? Something you did not expect?

The lightness of my being. There was something freeing about having only the essentials in a little suitcase and feeling okay with it.

6. What were your funniest moments of a journey/time in a new country?

My adult life thus far has been about rebuilding my body, and it has been an expensive endeavour! I haven’t travelled as much as I would have liked, but that is set to change! The furthest I have been is QLD and Adelaide!

7. What do you bring home after a journey?

Precious memories, clothes, jewellery and trinkets.

8. Camping, hostel or hotel? What do you prefer?

As long as I am having an adventure, I don’t mind!

9. Did you see an animal which you did not know of before? If so, which?

I have adored animals my entire life, and am familiar with many. My daughter and I did love seeing these little guys running about Currumbin Sanctuary, pinching food every chance they got!

10. What’s your favourite colour?

All the colours of the rainbow!

It gives me pleasure to nominate the following:

Just a Thought

Afternoon of Sundries

Poetsmith

Curving Towards the Centre

Kazblah

My 10 questions to these bloggers:

1. What would you most like to accomplish in 2015?

2. What is your favourite food?

3. What is your favourite colour?

4. What tv shows do you enjoy?

5. Favourite film?

6. Favourite way to relax?

7. Favourite Animal?

8. Favourite item of clothing.

9. Favourite book.

10. Where would you like to be in ten year’s time?

Creative Blogger Award

April 26, 2015 raphaela994 Comments

The beautiful Rachael Ritchey has nominated me for The Creative Blogger Award.

I am humbled and delighted. Here are the rules.

Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify nominees via social media or blogs.

Thank the blogger who nominated you and post the link of said blog.

Share five facts about yourself to your readers.

Facts about me:

# I. could easily be a hermit. I once was, but a gregarious daughter and a desperate desire to connect have encouraged me out of my cave. It has delighted me, what I have discovered in this new world. Kind, loving, creative people, who pull me back by the collar when I desire to retreat from an encounter with their opposite. I can’t imagine going back to drawn curtains and silence now.

#2. I am prone to deep, dark pits of depression and anxiety. I am a colourful human (with lilac hair at present),have a multitude of friends, and a wondrous life, and yet the past sneaks up on me like a highway robber. Being in chronic pain bears down on you. When you see a person with colourful hair and clothes, a colourful life and colourful house, rejoice. Their coded message is that they have been through hell, and still wish to survive. I know it is mine.

#3. I don’t enjoy “empty time.” You know, the time between commitments, whether they be work or social. I seek out connection, where once I sought retreat.

#4. I wish I had a glittery wand I could tap to make everyone’s dreams come true. I can’t stand to see suffering.

#5. I love train rides and buses and all the characters you meet when you leave your car behind.

The Blogs I Nominate for the Creative Blogger Award

Cauldrons and Cupcakes You have helped me more than you will ever know.

Ever Upward This lady’s story is so important.

Lolo Lovina This lady rocks! Impassioned, with the voice of an angel

Nerd in the Brain Homeschooling, love and kindness all rolled into one.

Holistic Wayfarer Beautifully written.

My Friday Blog This fellow is a joy and he also adores guinea pigs!

The Breakfast Drama Queen She is the Queen of breakfasts!

Edwina’s Episodes Love this lady!

Come Fly with me Thoughtful and Sensitive.

Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog Delightful lady.

The Off-Key of Life Such varied and wondrous subjects!

Good Woman Heartfelt wisdom and Beauty.

Fourth Generation Farm Girl Just Beautiful.

Breathing Life Supportive and Creative.

The Showcase Bless this beautiful soul.

Mint Kitty Clothing I stumbled upon this glorious person one day and ended up bridesmaid at her wedding. A true creative.

Home Made Naturally Exquisite.

Once again, I have run out of time to feature everyone I would have liked to. Love to you all! xxx

Graham Moore, thankyou!

February 24, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

This picture of an extremely talented man, and the condensed version of his inspired acceptance speech have gone viral. Thankyou, The Bully Project, for framing this heartrending speech. Thankyou for the work that you are doing.

I was thirteen years of age, when I tried to die. I felt different, and had the sinking feeling that I might never find my home in this world, nor a place to belong. I almost succeeded. I look at my life now, and you know what? Every day I feel like kissing the earth over the fact that I am still anchored here. To every kid that doesn’t fit in, and worries that they never will, the good news is that you don’t have to! There is a world out there wanting to embrace you. People needing your gifts and anxious to hear what you have to say. There are ideas waiting to be born, and places to visit. Adventures to be had. To concur with Graham, “I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different and doesn’t fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you: You do. Stay weird and stay different.” It has worked for me! Those dark years gave way to a future I could only dream of. People that love and “get” me; a job I love. I am now home schooling my daughter, and seeing her flourish is one of my greatest joys. Thank God I am here. If all you have to hang onto at the moment is an audacious belief in yourself, it’s enough. It’s more than enough. I don’t know where my fellow classmates are now. My path dramatically diverged from theirs. I have found my tribe, and a place to belong. Hold on…You shall too. They are out there waiting for you.

Versatile Blogging Award

February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 raphaela994 Comments

I am honoured to have been nominated for this award by the glorious Mary-Anne.

I am asked to list 7 random facts about myself.
1. I never try clothes or shoes on at store’s, as its far too boring. I prefer to guesstimate and bring them home (usually at my peril).
2. I am obsessed with colour and don’t understand beige at all.
3. I love popcorn and eat it all before the movie starts.
4. Spring is my favourite season.
5. I don’t understand mean-spirited people. I really don’t.
6. I love adventures and those who are young at heart.
7. I love roast vegetables with chilli baked beans on top.
I nominate the following:
The Wine Wankers Delightful fellows.
I love you with all my Chicken
A courageous young lady who recently had heart surgery.
Chasing My Halo Now I know nothing about sport, but I am enamoured by Angie. Her style of writing, photography and spirit, have captured me.
Nerd in the Brain Funny and insightful.
Flowers and Wanderlust Delightful and beautifully presented.
Daring to be my Life Honest and real.
A Day in the Life I have a spring in my step after reading her blog.
My Midlife Mayhem Hilarious and true!

Once again, I wish I could nominate many more!

Harmony and Peace Award.

December 30, 2014 raphaela998 Comments

I am honoured that my friend Jodie from Lupey Loops has nominated me for the Harmony and Peace Award.

The Harmony and Peace Award was created by the owner of the Idealistic Rebel blog, Barbara Mattio to “celebrate all those who promote Harmony & Peace, and who add Love and Beauty to the world through their Blogs and through their lives.Their Positivity makes the world a better place for all of us.”

The Harmony and Peace Award Rules are:
1. Give this award to seven bloggers who have added Harmony and Peace, Love, Beauty and Positivity to the world you live in.
2. Let them know that you nominated them.
3. Acknowledge the blogger from whom you received this award.
4. Display your award on your blog, because you have earned it!
5. Continue to live in Harmony and Peace.

Here are my seven bloggers, who add love, harmony and peace to the world. I wish I could include you all!
1. Girl Eats Greens
Her blog is a delicious homage to healthy eating, peace and wonder. Resplendent with recipes!
2. Eva PoeteX
Her blog is a wondrous landscape of poetry and images.
3. Cutie Cameras She is adorable!
4. Healing your Grief
A profoundly beautiful blog about love, healing and peace.
5. Anastasia Amour This lady is all about empowering women, and encouraging them to see themselves in a different light.
6. She Kept a Parrot Thoughtful, kind, soulful and harmonious.
7. Inside the Life of Moi
Truthful, loving and simply beautiful.
I love all the blogs I follow, and wish I could include them all!