The Versatile Blogger Award: Passing Along Good Karma

The Versatile Blogger Award: Passing Along Good Karma

on Feb 21, 2012 in Uncategorized | 9 comments

A few weeks ago, I got a delightful surprise when I found the Liberated Life Project included on a list of nominees for the “Versatile Blogger Award,” courtesy of Shelly Immel. And that’s how I discovered Shelly’s wonderful blog, The Big Life Project – definitely a kindred spirit to LLP.

The way the award works is, as Shelly notes, kind of like a chain letter. But without all the weird voodoo threats if you don’t keep it going. It’s more of a good karma kind of thing… and so in the spirit of passing that karma along here are 11 fabulous blogs that have given me a lot of inspiration and nourishment.

[The invitation to all of the folks I’ve tagged here is to nominate your own list of favorite bloggers and pass on the karma.]

I decided to feature only blogs created by women, as sisters can always use a lift! Some of these blogs are already wildly popular and some are little-known gems that I’m excited for you to check out. And like the Liberated Life Project, nearly all of them weave in the dimension of social awareness and responsibility into their mix.

Always Well Within “is about transforming your mind, opening your heart, and embracing the fullness of life.” Every post by author Sandra Pawula is evocative, incredibly well written, and will touch your heart and mind.

LifeUnity was created by Lisa Renee Wilson, an “Awareness Artist,” yoga teacher, and mom. Lisa has written a couple of guest posts for me her the LLP; her unique blend of creativity and awareness is a wake-up call for the spirit.

Danielle LaPorte (formerly “White Hot Truth”) minces no words. As she puts it, “I’m interested in liberating truth,” and her writing on topics like business, creativity, and relationships sizzles off the page.

Susan Piver is a Shambhala meditation teacher and the primary focus of her blog is supporting your meditation practice. But even if you’re not a card-carrying Buddhist, don’t let that stop you from visiting her site. Her writing is warm and accessible — just like she is.

Cheerio Road Like Susan, Karen Maezen Miller is a Buddhist teacher (this time a Zen priest). And also like Susan, her blog will speak to you no matter what your faith background. As Karen describes it, Cheerio Road is about “making peace with the laundry, the kitchen, and the yard.”

Desiree Adaway’s blog “Global Service and Leadership” may be of most interest to those of you who are working in the nonprofit sector, but her site encompasses more than that. You can always find some wise words there about social change, philanthropy, and yes, love.

Upcycled Love “embraces mindful sustainability as a path to personal empowerment and cultural transformation.” Creator Lynn Fang’s eclectic background includes molecular biology, agricultural ecology, and playing the violin. A lovely place to find articles on everything from how to wash your hair with no shampoo to cultivating resilience.

One Garden Online – You might think this is a blog about planting seeds and growing food, but look deeper. As creator Lauren Ayer writes, “…I’ve learned something very important: those things don’t stop with the garden. We need to cultivate sustainability, resiliency, and healthy choices for ourselves, our families, and our planet in all parts of our lives.”

Kloncke.com Katie Loncke’s blog is, to me, the perfect intersection of spirit, politics, and heart. Katie describes it this way: “This is a public interactive journal where I share my thoughts on Buddhism, radical politics, and how I am trying to live both.”

108 Zen Books is a delightful mix of musings on meditation practice, art, and life. Author Lynette Monteiro is a fellow student of mine in the Upaya Buddhist Chaplaincy Program.

Marianne Elliot’s blog is a “watering hole for do-gooders, wanna-be do-gooders and recovering do-gooders.” Marianne’s own background as a human rights worker in Afghanistan as well as a yoga teacher has prepared her well for this mission.

Per award rules, I am also supposed to tell you 7 things about me:

  1. Even though I grew up in the Los Angeles area, I refused to learn how to drive until I was 22 years old. That was my form of resistance against air pollution, I guess.
  2. I hate raisins. Did you ever see the movie “Benny and Joon”? There’s a scene in there that explains why.
  3. I love baseball. Have ever since I was a kid, for reasons I can’t explain. No one in my family liked sports.
  4. I have a dog named Lucy who is the light of my life. She’s a rescue dog, and some kind of wild mix between a dacshund and a terrier, or at least that’s the guess.
  5. My idea of the perfect meal is a home-made ravioli stuffed with fresh crabmeat and topped with marinara, accompanied by a glass of chianti. A good garden salad on the side. And finish with tiramisu.
  6. But I would also go for jambalaya, hushpuppies, and okra. Ending with pecan pie. I think I may have lived in the bayou in a previous life.
  7. One thing I could not live without: a trip to the ocean at least every six months.

So — those are my 11 nominees (and a few things about me). What are some of your favorite spiritual watering holes on the Internet? Leave a comment below and let us know.

__________

If you appreciated this article, please consider signing up for a free membership to “Team Liberation” to receive these posts by email, plus other goodies from the Liberated Life Project.


    9 Comments

  1. Maia,

    I am honored to be included in this list and very touched by your kind words. The exciting part is that I know about half these fabulous sisters so that means I have another half to get to know. I trust your impeccable judgment so I can’t wait! And I’m so glad you made the smart choice of giving women a lift!

    Wow, you really know how to eat! I’m envious, but happy for you. My dainty digestive system would be in an uproar.

    Sandra / Always Well Within

    February 23, 2012

  2. Thank you Maia – proving again that my home is your home in every sense.

    Karen Maezen Miller

    February 22, 2012

  3. I am so totally enjoying these blogs. What huge-hearted women with dragon power and brilliant insights. Successful, articulate, beautiful AND with radiant smiles.

    Maia, you are a gift to all of us!

    Deep bows, Dear Heart! ♥

    Lynette Genju Monteiro

    February 22, 2012

  4. Oh, you are very kind. Thank you for including me!

    Marianne

    February 21, 2012

    • absolutely, Marianne!

      Maia Duerr

      February 21, 2012

  5. Thanks so much for linking me! I am so honored to be included in this list of wonderful and amazing bloggers! And now, to make new friends 🙂

    Lynn Fang

    February 21, 2012

    • Hi Lynn, yes, making new friends is more than half the fun!

      Maia Duerr

      February 21, 2012

  6. Maia, I can’t wait to explore these blogs! I see some already on my list like Susan Piver and some brand new to me. Yum!

    Shelly Immel

    February 21, 2012

    • Shelly, thank you for getting the ball rolling. I have really loved getting to know you and your blog through this process.

      Maia Duerr

      February 21, 2012

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Versatile Blogger Award « Kloncke - [...] here have been so scattered the past few months.  But as always, I’m honored and humbled by this shoutout…
  2. paying it forward, backward, above & below « 108zenbooks - [...] February 21st, Maia at her Liberated Life Project site sent out a lovely nudge in the form of The…

Leave a Reply to Lynette Genju Monteiro Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *