“For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow.”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I started blogging because I thought other people might benefit from the insights that have transformed my life. But I never could have predicted that I would meet such lovely, pure-intentioned, generous people along the way. Sandra Lee of Always Well Within calls it the web of love, and I couldn’t agree more.
I am happily entangled in this web of love. I have been tapped by not one, but two bloggers to receive the Beautiful Blogger Award: Emma from Graceful Balance is saucy, a little outrageous, and overflowing with joy. Sandra from Always Well Within has a heart of gold and shares the wisdom of the ages with great intelligence and clarity. Thank you, Emma and Sandra!
This award comes with two requests. I am asked to share seven things about myself that you may not know, then pass along the award to five other bloggers. Here goes.
7 Things You May Not Know About Me
- I love the time I get to spend with my elderly parents. I feel honored to be with them at this tender time in all of our lives.
- I’m a decent salsa dancer.
- I absolutely love yoga. It helps me be strong and grounded in all aspects of my being. Recently, I’ve been exploring the wonders of the breath. My practice is challenging, and I am close to finishing my 200-hour yoga teacher certification.
- Years ago, I was almost fluent in French. Now I’m trying to unearth it from my aging brain, somewhat successfully. I see a visit to a language school in France in my future.
- I was raised in Pennsylvania. After finishing graduate school, I moved to Florida and realized that I could live in beautiful places with beautiful weather. (Sorry, Pennsylvanians!) It was only a matter of time before I made it to California. I have lived in the Bay Area and now Santa Barbara.
- I’m curious by nature. When I was growing up, I would never take anyone’s word for anything, and I was always keen to explore and experiment. This made me an interesting teenager to raise. Just ask my mother.
- I’ve done two 14-day and several 10-day silent meditation retreats.
And now I have the honor of presenting the Beautiful Blogger Award to:
- Robin Easton of Naked in Eden. Being in Robin’s presence is like drowning in an ocean of love.
- Lori Deschene of Tiny Buddha. Day after day, Lori offers simple wisdom that is easily applicable to our daily lives.
- Tara Sophia Mohr of Wise Living. Tara tells it like it is in a beautifully courageous way.
- Sibyl of Alternaview. Sibyl is an expert at putting a fresh spin on common topics.
- Christopher Foster of The Happy Seeker. A pure and generous heart.
Bloggers, if you are willing to take on the challenge, I look forward to your posts.
Feel free to check out all the amazing people mentioned here. And I would love to know from you: what blogs do you love? How does reading blogs support you?
Still wanting more? Click to learn about one-on-one sessions with me for personalized, insightful help.
Lance says
Gail,
Web of love….mmmm….what a beautiful way to view this space you have created and the caring connections you have made. (you AND Sandra nailed it with that one!)
So wonderful getting to know you better here today. I’ve recently started taking a yoga class, and it has become a real highlight to the week. I personally love the ending we have – doing savasana.
And that language school in France…now that sounds like it could be a real treat!
Gail, you truly embody the words of this award…you shine beauty in so many, many ways…and it’s been a joy getting to know you over these last couple of months.
Much love,
Lance
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Gail Brenner says
Thanks so much for your beautiful words, Lance. You are a shining heart that I am enjoying getting to know as well.
Savasana – the favorite pose for lots of people!
Lots of love to you…
Gail
Sibyl - alternaview says
Gail: Thank you so much for the award. It means so much that you have passed it along to me. You are by all means a beautiful blogger and such a deserving recipient of this award. Thank you for always sharing with us your knowledge and the insights that have helped you transform. It is so helpful and I am consistently looking forward to seeing what you will share next and learning from all your wisdom. Thanks again for the award.
.-= Sibyl – alternaview´s last blog ..10 Simple Ways To Achieve Balance In Your Life =-.
Gail Brenner says
It is my pleasure Sibyl. I love reading about your alternaviews and always find something useful there. I am happy to bestow the award to honor you and your blog.
I appreciate that you find my writings helpful. Your saying that makes it all worthwhile for me.
Much love,
Gail
Steven says
Gail, I love TinyBuddha.com – great choice!
Also, I am really jealous of all your experience with silent retreats. I SO want to try one soon, they sound immensely fun.
.-= Steven´s last blog ..PsychNews- Oct 17 – 23 =-.
Gail Brenner says
I agree, Steven. TinyBuddha was an easy choice for me.
I don’t know if I would call silent retreats “fun.” There are definitely some fun moments, but being faced with the contents of your mind with nowhere to run is not always a party. At least my mind, anyway.
But they have been immensely valuable. My first two 10-day retreats were in the desert in Joshua Tree, CA. There was so much releasing and letting go, and the desert was a perfect landscape for that. Those retreats were the beginning of true healing for me. Being in silence for a period of time supports being at ease with whatever arises.
And your jealousy sounds like an invitation. Isn’t it the case that your soul wants you to be in retreat?
Enjoy yourself, Steven!
Sandra Lee says
Gail,
I’m so happy that you received the award twice! Since love is inexhaustible, I hope you and all the others here will receive it many times more! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful quote at the start of the article.
Congratulations on being so close to finishing your yoga teacher-certification. That is a magnificent accomplishment.
I’m already in love with many of your choices for the “award” and look forward to meeting a few new inspiring and inspired friends.
.-= Sandra Lee´s last blog ..The Web of Love and 5 Beautiful Bloggers =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Sandra,
I appreciate getting the award, but I have to say that the best part for me is the joy of passing it along to others. May this love be passed on and on and on…. And I love that it introduces new people to each other.
I have actually been teaching yoga on and off for several years. Right now, I am learning so much by assisting with intro to yoga classes (with Kat, thanks, Kat!). This is something I never would have done without being in the training program.
I so appreciate your writing, Sandra. It’s a beautiful service you offer.
Lori says
Hi Gail,
Thank you so much for including me in this list of amazing bloggers! I’ve never heard of The Beautiful Bloggers award–what an awesome idea for this to spread from site to site.
I enjoyed reading your list! I also love yoga, enjoy spending time with my elderly relatives, and am curious by nature. I’d love to try salsa dancing. You inspired me to take a lesson =)
Have a wonderful Sunday~
Lori
Gail Brenner says
Welcome, Lori!
It was a no-brainer for me to pass along the Beautiful Blogger award to you. Your posts at TinyBuddha are so clear and simple and offer something useful to incorporate into every day. I am happy to honor what you do in this way.
Sounds like we have a lot in common! I haven’t gotten it together yet, but I’d love to learn tango next.
I wish you well…
Tara Mohr says
Gail!
Thank you so much. I was so touched to receive this – especially from a blogger I admire and have such respect for.
And I loved learning those 7 things about you!!!
Very excited for you to become a yoga teacher.I can only imagine how powerful it will be to combine the work you do know on being with and making friends with our emotions/where we are in the present – with asana practice.
I want to come take one of your classes!
Hugs,
Tara
Gail Brenner says
I am happy to be passing this award to you, Tara. I admire you for being gutsy and brave. And you are welcome in one of my classes any time!
Love, Gail
Robin Easton says
Dearest Gail, I am deeply moved by this kind gesture. This comes at a good time for me. I feel very close to you reading this. Your generous words and kindness helped me, especially today. I am very grateful and am sending you the same love and kindness that show me and so many others. So glad you are in the world. You definitely make it a better place. Much love, Robin
.-= Robin Easton´s last blog ..Reaching Out =-.
Gail Brenner says
I definitely think the same of you, Robin – that the world is a better place with you in it. You are one big love marshmallow. You combine a tender sensitivity with an earthiness in this beautifully feminine way. Thank you so much for all that you do with such generosity.
Love, Gail
GutsyWriter says
Love your attitude. We have some similarities. I’m fluent in French, having lived in Paris for 14 years. I live in OC and cannot wait to move to Naples, FL where we purchased a home. I’m a writer waiting to publish my memoir about healing my family in Belize. My middle son is at UCSB, and loves Santa Barbara.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Gutsy,
A warm welcome to you! I love meeting the people who read this blog, and we have so much in common – you love to live in beautiful places as well, French, SB…
I wish you much fulfillment with your move and your writing.
Love, Gail
Clearly Composed says
Saucy!! I love that word!! You have a way of making me smile wide and the words Gail and beautiful just go together for me. Thanks for turning me on to some new bloggers too. 🙂
.-= Clearly Composed´s last blog .. ABCs of Balanced Eating =-.
Gail Brenner says
And thanks so much for the award, Saucy One!
GutsyWriter says
Thanks Gail. Let’s keep in touch. I used to be a personal trainer and love weight training. Now in my 50’s I feel like I need yoga with the meditation part included. I’ve tried before and hurt my lower back. What do you recommend?
Gail Brenner says
Hi, GW,
Great that you realize you need yoga and meditation. I would recommend working with an experienced teacher who understands therapeutic yoga. Tell him or her what happened with injuring your back. If you are strong from weight training, you should be able to do yoga without back pain. And take good care of yourself during yoga practice. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it, no matter what the teacher says. Let me know, will you?
GutsyWriter says
Thanks Gail. There’s an inviting place to do yoga at UCI, a University campus near me. I shall give it a try.
Gail Brenner says
Great! I hope you enjoy it.
Rand says
Congratulations to all of you!
I am so grateful for the the better place of peace my mind seems to be since I found your site Gail. I have not been with everyone that long and I sure came in pretty ruffin up. Already I can see positive results in choices made. My aplication for membership with IATSE has been accepted after six years of very hard work and education. It was the focus, the tools, the input of others here, and you Gail that put me over the top.
I have not danced in years…always wanted to return to Old Vienna and waltz down the street like the couple I saw back then.
I could use some Yoga for better stagehand mobility, though we all really know how to move around, but it would be good for the old bod and bones. My daughter is interested in yoga so I am going to see if we can do a class together. Also I am going to forward your site to her…totally “G” rated and that does not stand for Girl…could be “GGG” for Good Girl Gail!
Peace,
Rand
Gail Brenner says
You are a light, Rand. I’m happy for all the goodness in your life.
Sibyl - alternaview says
Gail:
Wow … thank you. It means so much that you passed this award along to me. I feel the exact same way that you do and I really am so glad that I came across your site that day:) I have so enjoyed being a part of the flourishing life community and I am so grateful to have your friendship. Thank you for all your words of wisdom, insight, and encouragement and congratulations on your award. It is so deserved.
Gail Brenner says
It was easy to pass this award along to you, Sibyl. You offer a great service and very practical wisdom over at Alternaview that anyone can incorporate into their lives.
And I always appreciate your comments here – they always make a useful contribution.
Love to you…