Sunshine Blogger Award

Lifting voices and spreading light and love

I am sincerely humbled by my recent nominations for the Sunshine Blogger Award by Courtney Cunningham, Saira Anwar, Carla Darcy, and Sae Abiola. Thank you so much for including me in your chosen nominations.

To continue this beautiful thread of light and love, I am choosing to forgo my usual Friday SHOUT OUT | & REFLECTION to hold space for the questions posed and give time to honor the wonderings within.

I have selected four questions from each creator, as life has called upon my time in ways that will not allow for the honoring and careful reflection of each question posed. Please accept my apologies in advance.

I’ve reached a point in life where I send my energy to where it is needed most, and I follow the calling. Sometimes, it reveals itself in a quiet stroll along savored wooded trails, or in the form of a much-needed conversation. When I follow the natural rhythms of the spirit, I’m sometimes unable to be fully present for everything I wish to do, but I find deep peace in knowing that so long as I’m walking the path with light and love, peace and grace will be steady companions.

☀️🌞 The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules: 🌞☀️

• Display the Award’s official logo somewhere on your blog.

• Thank the person who nominated you.

• Provide a link to your nominator’s blog.

• Answer your nominator’s questions

• Nominate up to 11 bloggers.

COURTNEY CUNNINGHAM

Dear Courtney,
The unbridled joy, spirit, and depth you bring to the Substack community are a treasured gift. Thank you for welcoming me to Substack and for sharing yourself with such grace, authenticity, and warmth, every. Single. Day. Your posts/notes are delightful and inspiring offerings within this thriving community of creators.

Courtney’s Questions:

1. What do you write about?

   I write about my life experiences and the tiny truths I have collected along the way. I’m currently in the midst of a series titled, “Savoring Life at 59 - exploring freedom, rediscovery, and meaning beyond roles.”
   
   Writing about other Substacks brings immense joy, and poetry has been a constant genre throughout my life, which afforded a natural segue into songwriting.

2. Why?

   I write to understand, to bear witness, and to uncover secreted truths that are begging for room, to breathe upon the page, and find the light of day. And perhaps, these discoveries will offer hope, inspiration, and joy within the glorious tapestry of humanity.

3. What was your favorite hobby as a child?

   As a young child, I lived in Seattle in a bustling and populated neighborhood. My love for the outdoors led me to build a campsite in a neighbor’s hedge up the street, which I eventually learned was not appreciated. 😊

   From the age of eight, I grew up on a farm, and daily work, sports, and 4-H consumed most of my waking hours.

4. What is your favorite hobby now?

   I’m not sure I can select one favorite hobby. Writing, playing my guitar or banjo, photography, and traveling lead the list.

Courtney’s Nominations:

*Sam Messersmith *Kathleen Thorne RN, LMT *Lis *Saira Anwar *Fang Wei

SAIRA ANWAR

Dear Saira,
Your words carry light and love, and your generous spirit floats on wings of grace. Your daily Notes surround my heart, and I thank you for gifting and sharing in such a way that heals, nourishes, and inspires the human spirit.

Saira’s Questions:

1. Why did you start your Substack?

   I started my Substack as a way to return to writing, which has always been my anchor—a constant thread weaving throughout every chapter of my life.
   
   Also present was a deep desire to share my love of nature, music, photography, and travel in a way that would offer greater peace, calm, mindfulness, spiritual awakening, and, most importantly, a place to pause and reconnect with oneself in a world that demands constant attention.
   
   I had no idea Substack would so quickly become a rich tapestry of voices, support, friendship, and ultimately, the community I had been hoping and pining for with the deepest recesses of my mind and heart.

2. A book that changed your life?

   During a time of struggle and challenge, I discovered Dr. Wayne M. Dyer’s book Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life.

   It truly changed my way of being in the world, and my husband and I are now on our second reading of the audiobook.

3. What’s your go-to comfort activity when you’re feeling low?

   Spending time in nature has a profoundly grounding effect on my emotions. Also, strumming my guitar is a place where my feelings are held with such grace and beauty, and musicians generally lean into the lows, as some of our best song lyrics come from struggle and woes.

4. Tea or coffee (or something else)?

   Both! I grew up in a family where morning coffee was sacred (along with doughnuts), and the morning rituals surrounding that first cup of coffee in my life are present and real. I enjoy a cup of tea in the late afternoon when my energy begins to ebb, and quiet comes knocking, like a soft and comforting blanket.

Saira’s Nominations:

*Simone Kornalijnslijper *Daily Self-Love Practice *Kassi Wilson *Mymy Khan *Ruth O'Reilly *Lis *Debra King *Ral Joseph *Astrid Sadaya *Saima Durrani *Stephanie Marie

CARLA DARCY

Dear Carla,
So much of your Substack deeply resonates. Your gifted words and insights around spirituality, healing, self-growth, nature, and gratitude offer sanctuaries of light and love for all to enjoy. Thank you for sharing your journey and for spreading grace and beauty wherever you go.

Carla’s Questions:

1. What’s one small thing that never fails to make your day better?
Strolling along sandy shores or forested trails with my husband always brings peace and joy.

2. If you could relive one moment from your life, just to experience it again, what would it be?
I’m deeply grateful for all of the experiences within my life, even those that challenged me to the very depths of my being. I would not wish to relive an experience, as each one taught me what I was supposed to learn, and I’m holding space for all of the moments unfolding in the present.

3. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in the next year?
I’m excited for the European Adventure my husband and I have planned for September.

4. What’s a lesson you wish you’d learned sooner in life?
When you cease expecting, you have all things.

Carla’s Nominations:

*Lis *Colin Durrant *Wifa Hasan *Holly *Lavender *Marie & Jacqueline Campion *VedicSoul *Cigarette Talk *Kyen Jimwan *Sebastian Case *Daisy R. Birchwood

SAE ABIOLA

Dear Sae,
I sincerely appreciate the healing sanctuary you offer within your Substack, where everyone is welcome and rediscovery and reflection are encouraged. Your profound and soulful connection within the human experience radiates and creates a sacred space for renewal. Thank you for sharing your journey with such honesty and grace.

Sae’s Questions:

1. What gives you peace when things feel out of control?
The inherent and deep knowing that with time, and grace, and patience, all things circle back to a place of peace and healing.

2. What’s a moment from your past you carry gently with you?
The sacred time I spent with my mom as she was living with Alzheimer's and finding her way through her life's journey with grace, humility, and gratitude.

3. What do you hope your words do for others?
Uplift, inspire, resonate, encourage, along with providing daily doses of hope, joy, light, love, peace, and gratitude.

4. What reminds you of who you truly are?
My deep love, compassion, and empathy for humanity and the unwavering desire to share whatever gifts are called upon, as wholly and sacredly, and as often as is humanly possible.

Sae’s Nominations:

*Easy Weezy * Liz Collard Arnold *Laurel *Shain Parwiz *Ociel Gonzalez *IS IT PROPAGANDA?® *MOM Leadership Village *Miranda *Judith Samuel *Ibrahim Garba *Imie *Steph *Divya B Kumar *Zero to Visibility *Rachel G. Vick *Lis *Tamil *Cathy Ben-Ameh *Esther Nkechi *Itoro Etukudo *Temiloluwa *Grace Grossmann *Daria Cupareanu *Nicole T *Damilola Adeniji *Lauren *Dolapo *Leti *LetishaWrites *Becky Aig *Uchechukwu Onyekpe *Emily Quinton *Heartfelt Boundaries

Lis’s Nominations:

*Note: I have chosen to nominate creators who are not already listed above in hopes of lifting more voices and bringing more light and love into the Sunshine Blogger Award Circle. Rather than nominating the allotted 11 for each award, I have chosen to nominate a total of 20. I appreciate your understanding.

*Kathleen *Sly *Rodney Daut *Sal Gallaher *The (Wild)erness Journal *Margaret Williams, MS, ACC *Luna *Daan Katz *Derek Lakin *Karen Langston
*John Rinaldo *Jessica Ann *Rebekah Lynn Pierce *Alain Hajjar *Jeannie Ewing *Claudia Faith *Corie Feiner *Janki *Namrita Khosla *Dr Anney V

Lis’s Questions:

1. What is one savored moment you have experienced this month?

2. What is your most treasured memory from your childhood?

3. Who was your most inspiring mentor during your formative years?

4. What is number one on your bucket list of things to do?

5. What was the best vacation you ever experienced? What made it wonderful?

6. If you could give three pieces of advice to your younger self, what would you say?

If you have reached the end of this post, thank you so very much for supporting this beautiful and coveted circle of lifting voices within the Substack community.

Your presence here matters deeply to me. May your Substack grow and fly on wings of grace, beauty, and joy — and thank you for all that you are doing to make this Substack community beautiful, bright, and soul-filling.

With much love and gratitude,

Lis 💖

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