Sunday Special: Liebster Award Nominee

For seven years I lived in the Ukraine, studying at the Kiev State University. During that time, I travelled extensively across Europe and very frequently to and through Germany. West Berlin was one of my haunts, however, the word "Liebster" meant nothing to me until a message popped up from a Google+ friend and fellow blogger.

We first made contact a couple months ago, after she read my post on sex. Hardly surprising that it caught her attention, as she like me is seemingly no prude. Since then, I have had the pleasure and enjoyment of reading Abby L.'s blog. She is funny and a straight talker - no holes barred kind of writer.

Then she turns around and surprises me with a nomination for the "Liebster Award."

Sunday is not a day that I normally blog but Abby's nomination had made an exception to that rule. The meaning of "Liebster," according to her and she ought to know as she is German, is "the Loved One."

Again quoting copiously from Abby as I had no previous knowledge of not only the word but the award, here is what being awarded means:

"...Lots of love is being shared together with this award (basically it's a bit like a chain letter sent to bloggers of choice in the name of love, friendship and mutual support).

- Since it works like a chain letter, we have the choice of accepting or refusing to participate (especially if we've been already awarded in the past).

- As part of the nomination, we have to answer a few questions about our blog and us, thus making others discover our digital musings, as well as introducing new friends to the blogging community."

Touched, honoured, privileged and feeling blessed to be nominated by the community, and in the company of some awesome bloggers here are my answers to the questions.

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1. How did you decide on the name of your blog?

Years ago prior to migrating to Canada, a tarot reader told me that my daughter and I are old souls with strong ties to Egypt. My daughter has always been fascinated with Cleopatra and I with the Queen of Sheba so his message to us did not feel too far flung. When I became a spiritual counsellor and decided to start a private group on Facebook for women, for empowerment, inspirational but more than anything straight talk - the Queen was my natural mother node.

2. Where does your blogging inspiration come from?

Without attempting to sound anything but honest, I arise very early each morning and ideas, thoughts for the day and often times the opening paragraphs for the essay is "downloaded" to me. It spooks me sometimes - the flood of information and guidance that fills my consciousness but I just go with it.

3. What is it that you love most about blogging?

Sharing my journey in an honest and open way without fear of censorship. It is my story and my experiences so no one can tell me how to tell it.

4. What is your favorite food?

The Jamaican national dish - Ackee & Saltfish with fried dumplings and plantains.

5. What is your favorite thing to drink (alcoholic or not)?

Coffee.

6. What is an item you cannot live without?

I can live without anything but would be hard pressed for a few days without my smartphone or a laptop.

7. What are eleven random facts about yourself?

Hmmm, 11 random facts:

1. My eyes are dark brown
2. My hair is getting gray all over and I'm embracing that.
3. I love solitude (not so random)
4. Ripe banana fritters is my favourite childhood food
5. I sucked my thumb well into adulthood
6. I am known to drive pretty fast
7. I love President's Choice vanilla ice cream with strips of chocolate
8. Paintings of nudes intrigue me
9. Had a television stolen from me off of a train in Poland in the 1980's
10. I hate folding laundry
11. As much as I share my story, identifying 11 facts about me is a challenge.

8. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Wherever my daughter and granddaughter are, there will always be home.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, alive or dead, who would it be?

The Queen of Sheba. Strong women who are humble because they know their power intrigue me and she is said to be one such.

10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Walking along a riverside, deep into the woods and stopping for a picnic.

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Writing, coaching and counselling (spiritual) full time from anywhere in the world, returning to home base at the end of a trip to savour the giggles of my daughter and the dancing of my granddaughter, Mahalia.

I now nominate the following awesome bloggers of Women of Midlife who have befriended and supported me. Some may have more than a 1,000 followers:

• Abby L.

• Antoinette Blake

• Carol Cassara

• Diane Tolley

• Lana L.

• Leanne Le Cras

• Susan F.

Instructions for the nominees of the Liebster Award:

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

• - Write a post about the fact that you’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award. 
•  In this post, link back to and show some love to the person who nominated you, also nominate 11 (or less) other new blogs that would not have more than 1000 followers. Let these nominated bloggers know that you have nominated them and provide a link back to your page to ensure that they are familiar with the Award. 
•  Display the Award in your post and in your side bar.
• Answer the questions about yourself.
• Put your post with your nominated blogs for the Liebster Award, on social media. 

Here are your questions:

1. How did you decide on the name of your blog?
2. Where does your blogging inspiration come from?
3. What is it that you love most about blogging?
4. What is your favorite food?
5. What is your favorite thing to drink (alcoholic or not)?
6. What is an item you cannot live without?
7. What are eleven random facts about yourself?
8. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
9. If you could meet anyone from history, alive or dead, who would it be?
10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Let's spread the religion - Love!

Namaste

Claudette

The Best Day of the Week? Every Day!

Which is your most favourite day of the week? Why?

Sunday used to be mine. 

I love the lazy feel of Sundays. As a child, it was the only day we got to sleep in, no chores and less contention in the house. Breakfast, no matter how humble, it was plentiful and while we were still having it, dinner was on the fire.

Going to Church on a Sunday was the law in my mother's house - for the children, not her. By one in the afternoon when we returned home, Sunday dinner was ready, only awaiting the table to be set. This was not for everyone but for the man of the house, my step father at the time. The best cutlery was for him. In fact, most of the meal and for sure the 'best' pieces of meat were his.

Things changed a lot when I became a mother and had my own home. Church was optional and if that Sunday it was the option of choice, I was very much in the car. Sunday breakfast continued to be a big deal but it was not always at home. Many Sunday mornings would find us on the beach having fish and festivals. Other times, we would do Sunday brunch at a popular restaurant or at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where they served one of the best brunches.

Our Sunday dinners were not as early as my mother's and way more equitable! It was the rule though that we dined together, everyone using the best knives and forks in the house and conversation was a must. It was at my Sunday dining table that my daughter was instructed on table manners, proper use of her cutlery - the full set, and the art of polite conversation. We spoke politics, school work, music (which was always in the background), and any other topic important to her in that moment.

Life has changed a lot for me in the ensuing years. 

Many Sundays since 2006 are spent in my own company. What I have found in that time is that any day can be a Sunday. You do not have to wait until Sunday to go to Church, eat a nice meal or sleep in.

"Pray unceasingly," is what Paul of Scriptures wrote. My life, my walking and more and more, my communicating is a prayer. My most ardent prayers are my daily conversations with Source. Sitting on a bus, stuck in traffic, talking with a challenging client and I am quietly asking for guidance.

Come visit me any day of the week, including today, Saturday, and a three course spread will be ready in a few. To top it, you will be dining with the best cutlery in my house!

Live each day as fully as you can! Drink from the crystal, wear your prized dress and dance! This beautiful poem says it best:

Live Each Day to the Fullest by S. H. Payer

Live each day to the fullest. 
Get the most from each hour, each day, and each age of your life. 
Then you can look forward with confidence, and back without regrets. 

Be yourself, but be your best self. 
Dare to be different and follow your own star. 

Don’t be afraid to be happy and enjoy what is beautiful. 
Love with all your heart and soul. 
Believe that those you love, love you. 

When you are faced with decision, make that decision as wisely as possible, then forget it. 
The moment of absolute certainty never arrives. 

Above all, remember that God helps those who help themselves. 
Act as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God. 

Have a full day! Share how you spent it with me here or on our Facebook page. You may also follow us on Twitter.

Namaste

Sunday Comfort

Sundays, like Christmas, are my favourite days and time of the year. A warm, satiny peace naturally envelopes me as my eyes open on a Sunday morning.

The first day of the week is my 'comfort' day. Special breakfast is made and since being single it is usually had in bed. A cat has nothing over me when it comes to gliding and sauntering around the house most of the day. Whatever chores there are, they are unhurriedly and gracefully, yes gracefully, completed. That might account for why my Sunday dinners are the most tasty as they are prepared with ease and a serious infusion of love.

Comfortable would best describe me on a Sunday. It took me years, many a slips, falls, nosedives to be at peace with myself and at comfort with Claudette.  More time is spent now pampering myself in whichever manner that provides the greatest comfort. The self-care measures that were once a daily necessity are now a rarity.

What is the difference? Comforting, in my case, is doing things to sooth me back to my "zen." I am not big on sitting crosslegged in meditation but after a long day, a challenging or energy-draining conversation with a would-be antagonist or an unwanted telephone call, taking a long shower is my pacifier.

A solitary walk on a beach or a tree-lined avenue, sipping a warm cup of Milo looking out my window or treating myself to an unscheduled day at a spa are all "comforters" for me.

Seldom are the days now when I need to go into retail therapy, drinking more than my one-glass tolerance level or eating to near explosion. Those were the days, months, even years when my awareness of who and whose I am was virtually non-existent. Care was what I needed and sadly had no idea how to either give it to myself or how to ask for help.

Throughout this week, this will be the overarching theme of our posts - "Living and Being in Awareness of Self and World." Here, on our page at www.facebook.com/daughtersofsheba, as well as on Twitter @DOSFoundation our articles, posts and tweets will highlight self-awareness, emotional intelligence and generally being aligned with Yourself.

Subscribe to our blog, leave a comment, like us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter and let us continue to grow together.  Have a bliss-filled day and week! Namaste

Photo Source: russianblackwork.blogspot. com