Success…

“To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,

or redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier

because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

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I have been so deeply moved the past few days by reading other blogs and posts that some might find sad or melancholy…to me I found myself. I found a connection to others in that deep dark place that only people who have had or are going through tragedy can truly relate to. No one can know…each is a unique story.

Perhaps it isn’t just that they’re are going through or have gone through tragedy but are in touch with it nonetheless. The truth of it is…it is success to me. If you can write words and arrange them in such a manner as to evoke a feeling, good, bad, sad, or otherwise then you have made a connection with someone…with any one who reads your words.

We each are unique and have our own story to tell. And we each have our own way to tell it…poems, photographs, quotes, funny stories or whimsical ones that make you smile or laugh…or be sad and cry…or really think about how a particular piece means to you…it becomes part of you now.

They each serve their purpose…our blog is our home. Our own little piece of this internet cosmos and it moves in ever widening, ever increasing, circles of friends and connections to others…some we are blessed to interact with, some we never hear about but could have made all the difference in the world for without ever knowing. It is important…vital, to write or show through photographs what we see, feel, and think…regardless of the emotional response.

We are all healing, rediscovering, sharing, connecting…

                     and because each voice is unique and touches others then we are by the definition above…Successful.

Christina ~

Sunshine…

“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.

I may not reach them,

but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them,

and try to follow where they lead.”
~ Louisa May Alcott ~

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As I cast off every tendril of darkness that has enveloped me, threatening to strangle me for so very long…

wrapped me in fear, darkness, grief, anguish, helplessness, resentment, agony, sorrow, anger, bitterness…

I find myself striving, fighting, struggling, pushing to find the light, love, inspiration, joy, peace…

that has been stolen from me for so very very very long…

In the sweet kindness of new friendships and the steadfastness of old ones, encouraging words, connections with other hurting souls…

I find the light getting brighter…

brighter, more brilliant, more tangible…

the dark strangling tendrils are falling away one by one…

Yes, I can almost feel it…

I can almost touch the sunshine.

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©Copyright 2012 Christina Brownlee

~ Appreciated Recognition ~

~ One Lovely Blog Award & Creative Chaos Award ~

I have recently been doubly honored in receiving my second “One Lovely Blog Award” from danblava at hurdlestohappiness. Thank you so much!!

(See below for the rules and nominations for the One Lovely Blog Award)

Also from Michelle at michellesomer.wordpress.com – I have been honored with the “Creative Chaos Award” Thank you so much to both of you for keeping me in your thoughts for these awards!! I am so very appreciative!

(See below for the rules and nominations for the Creative Chaos Award)

One Lovely Blog Award ~

1)    I need to thank the person who nominated me.

2)    Share 7 things about myself that you still may not know.

3)    Nominate 15 bloggers.

4)    Notify the nominees that I have done so.

5)    Put a logo of the award on my site.

 I already shared 7 things – but I’ll share another 7 things you may not know about me…

1)    I love to knit – when I have the time…it’s very relaxing…like therapy.

2)    I really really love to play video games, with my kids or my friends!

3)    I drive an old ’93 Suburban and I love it – Respect on the road!

4)    I named my dog (Pomeranian) Dante not just for the author but also because I love the movie Dante’s Peak.

Dante ~

5)    I love destruction of the earth movies like 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, and more – not sure why…maybe because they are so unrealistic (not the graphics-the storylines) and I’ve had my fair share of ‘reality’.

6)    I never want to mow the lawn (it’s big) but always LOVE the feeling of accomplishment when I’m done!

7)    Ok, ok, ok….so more information on the video game thing. My best friend and I often play Rock Band 3 (I’m the drummer) – It is a most cherished time to relax, be silly, laugh, and pretend we’re rock stars!

And now my nominees for the One Lovely Blog Award – Visit them if you get the chance! 🙂

1)     http://www.recoverythrumylens.wordpress.com

2)     http://thephoblography.wordpress.com/

3)     http://flashlightcityblues.wordpress.com

4)     http://mlatimerridley.wordpress.com

5)     http://ruthninawelsh.wordpress.com

6)     http://celestealluvial.wordpress.com

7)      http://rodpossefamily.wordpress.com

8)      http://pinkmattergreenmind.wordpress.com

9)      http://smileinstyle.wordpress.com

10)    http://myjournalofpraise.wordpress.com

11)    http://sanclemente365.wordpress.com

12)    http://betigaklaten.wordpress.com/

13)    http://nyparrot.wordpress.com

14)    http://travellingbag.wordpress.com

15)    http://hilalachmar.wordpress.com

Creative Chaos Award Rules ~

1)   I mention 3 weird things about myself

1)    I’m a cheese-a-holic

2)    I love naming my animals’ weird names – i.e. my orange cat is named Julius, and my oldest female cat is named Sawyer – her brother who is no longer with us was named Thomas.

3)    I love the colors black and purple (but not together!)

2)   Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full kind of person?

Most definitely a glass half full kind of person. I believe that I can find a positive in just about every negative situation. I may rant a bit…but then I just have to find something to laugh or joke about. Sometimes, I wonder where the glass is, as I am convinced someone moved it!

3)   You find yourself in a desolate place when your car breaks down. You have no cell phone service, no Wal-Mart, and only a candy bar for food. It is 150 miles to the closest town. What color are your underpants and why?

Since this is probably THE most bizarre question I’ve ever been asked I will answer bizarrely in return – Purple – because aliens don’t wear hats. 😉

4)   And the last task is to nominate 5 bloggers who have recently started following you.

1)    http://1twistedpixie.wordpress.com

2)    http://tchistorygal.wordpress.com

3)    http://thoughtfulnd.wordpress.com

4)    http://ratzone.wordpress.com

5)    http://quotography.wordpress.com

Congratulations to everyone! I hope these bring you the smiles they did me!! 🙂 ~

Christina ~

One Lovely Blog Award

I was so very touched today to receive this One Lovely Blogger Award from The Blazing Trail . To some this may not be that big of a deal…to me it means recognition and being especially thought of…something everyone needs but doesn’t always get.  I say thank you so very very much for this…my first award. I am honored.

Here are rules for the award:

1. I need to thank the person who nominated me.

2. Share 7 things about myself that you still may not know.

1) I am in love with the sci-fi show -Doctor Who (David Tennant being my absolute favorite)!    

2) The reason for my nick name JavaKat is because I’m addicted to coffee/espresso!

3) I do not easily share my emotions and tend to hide behind humor and sarcasm.

4) My family is THE most important thing in my life.

5) I love my animals like they were more children.

6) I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.

7) I like to watch cheesy made-for-tv sci-fi movies and make fun of them.

3. Nominate 15 bloggers .

4. Notify the nominees that I have done so.

5. Put the logo of the award on my blog site.

And now to my 15 nominees:

http://pjgracecommunity.wordpress.com

http://throughthehealinglens.wordpress.com

http://fictionalmachines.wordpress.com

http://www.thewhyaboutthis.com

http://anelephantcant.wordpress.com

http://michellesomer.wordpress.com

http://justspokenthoughts.wordpress.com

http://jdgallagher.wordpress.com

http://subhanzein.wordpress.com

http://danielabram.wordpress.com

http://jimibodansko.wordpress.com

http://lesplaisirssimplesdelavie.wordpress.com/

http://slapppshotblog.com/

http://tebogondlovu.wordpress.com

http://courtingmadness.wordpress.com/

I never knew that starting a blog could impact my life in so many positive ways. I absolutely adore meeting new friends, the acceptance, encouragement, and inspiration that abound in all of you! I think it the most incredible, amazing, awesome blessing I’ve had in a long long long time.

To the friends I’ve already made and those waiting to be met…keep doing what you’re doing…you are all uniquely incredible!!

Christina ~