I am still in the beginning stages of learning the ins-and-outs of blogging despite a decade of editing other people’s websites. I have had many bloggers and readers personally reach out to me and tell me that I have inspired or touched them in one way or another. And a few days ago my fellow blogger, Bonny, took it yet another step further. She publically nominated me on her blog Thoughts and Things for the Inspired Blogger award. And I love it, so thank you, Bonny!
For the most part these blogging awards are simply tools used to connect bloggers with one another to reach a greater following. And that is just fine. Blogging, after all, is about community. However, for me, I use them differently. I use them to tell someone how I feel about them, their work, and how they are impacting me and my efforts to be a part of the Blogging World.
So I toss out the rules when presenting awards and do not require that people pass them along like a chain letter. Those rules, for me, seem to lessen the very real connection of people and feelings that come with nominations for these accolades. However, that is my point of view and I believe we are all entitled to our own viewpoints and we are allowed to change the rules, if it hurts no one, and that is how the world continues to change and develop.
This particular award I have been nominated for and am accepting does come with a set of rules. Some of which I appreciate and will continue to apply for myself. I will not however feel obligated to nominate 15 people for this award. I will nominate only those bloggers who have inspired me personally, because it is about my relationship with them that I want to enhance, not my numbers. I blog for me. And I enjoy that others are responding to me and blogging alongside me. I am enjoying the relationship of community and the friendships I am building in this Blogging World. And so here are the rules I am happy to abide by:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Well, of course. I believe in always being courteous and respectful.
2. List the rules and display the award.
Okay, so I did not exactly “list” the rules though they are all addressed in this posting. So please, continue to be yourself as you continue to blog your life, your way. Simply letting you know that you inspire me, that’s enough for me. Follow the rules, don’t follow the rules, post or don’t post. All that matters to me is that you know that you are helping me to become a better writer, a better blogger and a better community member. So be true to yourself, your needs, your ethics and morals.
3. Share seven facts about yourself.
This is the rule I love and am excited to share. And I hope those I choose to pass this award along to in the future will themselves choose to follow this “rule” as it just brings us closer with one another.
So the bloggers who I have found the most inspiring to Memee, the blogger, are:
Jasmine: Beauty is Found Everywhere
Blair: People, Things and Life
Sassycare: Flavored Lemons
SB: Author SB Mazing
Seven Facts About Me
1. I love watching baseball, football and parades, but I hate apple pie, pizza and coffee. Yes, I promise I am a born and bred American living in the land of coffee.
2. When I go to a party, I become a wallflower. Food becomes my bodyguard and best friend. We’ve never had so much in common as we do at a party!
3. I have been engaged three times but never married. I have remained friends with every boyfriend, fiance and lover I’ve ever had albeit one (he was physically abusive).
4. I have lived in a white-collared world, worked in the blue-collar sector and owned a business.
5. Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
6. I use a nom de plume. However, everthing I am is visible in my blog… you just have to read beyond the words.
7. I grew up surrounded by very unique circumstances some of which may become apparent in some of my posts, and all of which certainly helped sculpt the unique person I am today.
Memee's Musings 
So, any thoughts?