Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Happy Anniversary to me!! (My 139th Post)

This is a long one - but I have a year to talk about!!

A year ago today I began an incredible journey. I sat reading a blog post by someone else and I thought, "I want to do this!" So I did. I signed up for my very own blog. I wrote a post (probably about 5 times before I was brave enough to publish) and tentatively went out and began telling people I was alive.

The first person I went to see was the incomparable Alexandra. She had only started her blog a few days before me and I had read some of her comments on other people's blogs and really liked them. So I went to her site and introduced myself as another new blogger and I am forever grateful that I did!!! Not only is she wonderful, but she also introduced me to the incredible Laini. Between them they have spoiled me rotten, shared their writing tips, and become good friends. I was lucky enough to meet them for sushi and treats in November and I look forward to seeing them again soon. (Laini also became my partner-in-crime in our writing venture Sunday Scribblings!) I adore them both. They are magic.

Ten minutes after writing to Alexandra, I connected with Jamie and a little while later, Claudia. Between them they have inspired me to live a more honest life. Jamie doesn't know it yet, but she changed my life a lot. Knowing her and reading her has made me try to be more comfortable moving my body. I have begun to begin each day with a solo dance in the living room. A year ago this would never have been possible.

I won't go into my blogging world person by person because every single one of the people I have met on here have had an impact on me. Since this time last year I have: begun a blog, co-begun a writing blog, finished writing a novel and tried to send it out into the world. (I have stopped doing that for now in favour of writing another one... it will be my third!) I have finished a half marathon, written the rough draft of a non-fiction book, gone to Seattle and Portland to meet some of my new friends, gotten a promotion, lost my Grandmother, and become an Aunt and Godmother to the beautiful Helen (that's her in the photo with me, I got her her first Nalgene bottle before I left - ahhhhhhhhhhhhh........)

One of my bravest leaps this year was that trip to Seattle. I've written about it a lot already so I will just say that the women I spent that weekend with have altered me.

So where do I go from here? Where do I want to be in another year? Yesterday I posted about how bored I was with myself and what I had to say. I am still kind-of in that place. I am struggling a bit with this tonight. But writing this has helped. I have come a long way, baby. I am not alone. I have done some brave and some audacious things this year, and if THIS blogging year is as full of creativity and connections and change and words as LAST year was, it's going to be quite a year. Wish me luck!

16 comments:

Letha Sandison said...

I love you meg!! Did you get my card?

I can't believe you've been at it a year...I am thrilled to see everything that is to come for you in the upcoming year and beyond.

The pic of you and your niece is so adorable!

Ok, we need a skype chat SOON!!!

Anonymous said...

Luck!! ;)

Wow...a year...I wonder what a year of blogging will bring me. These first few months have been an incredible journey already and have helped me so much with my writing too!

Love the picture of you and your niece btw!

happy blog anniversary!

xo Sophie

Anonymous said...

Lovely Meg!It´s been a fabulous year! It´s been wonderful getting to know you and I am honoured to be one of your first connections. You, Jamie, Alexandra and Laini came along when I needed you and I think you and I especially have become more daring and more loving towards ourselves. I am looking forward to another wonderful year!

Susannah Conway said...

happy blogiversary darling! it really has been a phenomenal year for you and i know this next year is going to be even BIGGER and BETTER. we need to get together to drink wine i think... any chance i can persuade you to come to B for the weekend before i leave??

LOVE you xxoo

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary to you!! I actually remember reading your first blog...I remember feeling connected to you so quickly...your words immediately inspiring my soul to keep my own words pouring forth. I am so grateful that you began this journey and that you have allowed me to walk along this journey with you. What an incredible year for you...I am so proud!
Cheers to a year filled with experiences and life moments (what I call those moments when we truly feel alive)! I miss our emails and I miss you!
Sending lots of love and big hugs,
TaraDawn

Anonymous said...

:) love you Meg :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Meg!!!!

Cate said...

You are amazing, Meg--so many accomplishments! 2007 will be another year of creativity for you! I'm glad to know you. xo

Anonymous said...

Wow! You've only been blogging a YEAR?! What a year, eh? Can't wait to see what you'll do in year TWO! ;)

Laini Taylor said...

Ah Meg, so so so glad I started blogging and met you too! Reading this totally brought me back -- it's almost my blogiversary and I think back on those first times finding Claudia and Jamie and Liz and you and I feel all warm inside! Kindred spirits, scattered around the world. Congratulations on all your wonderful achievements this year, my dear, and keep writing (and scribbling; come ON, Meg. Scribble!)

Anonymous said...

That makes me smile - a huge bug cheesy grin.

I love to read about women learning to be more comfortable with their bodies. This world offers so many challenges to that, but we all deserve to love our bodies, and if we can help each other move towards that, it is a wonderful thing.

I'm also inspired by your many other achievements and adventures this year.

PS: Being an Auntie rocks, right?
x

Jamie said...

**BIGBIGHUGSFORMEGG**

I've been a bit behind in my reading and so am just now finding your beautiful post and the special surprise within it for me. I feel like I've just received a surprise gift all wrapped in a beautiful bow.

In the mornings, I'll smile knowing that you're dancing. I am honoured to know that I played a part in inviting those precious moments into your life. May you dance all of your days.

I am so glad that we found each other in those new and fresh days when we were babies to blogging. And here we are, a year later, still connected, still sharing in this great adventure. What a joy, my friend!

madelyn said...

what a joyous post and i love the
pictures - you can see the
love in them from your trip with
these beautiful and inspiring
women:)

hugs!

Alex S said...

Oh Megg, thank you for your kind words and I,too, am SO glad we met as well. I remember reading your first comment and going to your blog shortly thereafter and connecting immediately, a kindred soul across the ocean! To think we never would have met without Blogger-yay Blogger!-I look forward to getting to know you more with each new year and think you are such a wonderful soul I am lucky to have crossed paths with!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary and best wishes for more "altering." :)
This is my first time to your site. I'm here via the Sunday Scribblings site you cohost. Marvelous idea! Thank you.

The energy detailed in your journey here is infectious. Here's to more connections and savoring life! Take care

luzie said...

Okay this is a week late.. but I just loved reading the recap of your first year of blogging. I can so relate to what you've written.

I've been blogging for a little over two years now, but January was my first month at blogger. The warm and welcoming community here totally stunned me. Within only a month I have 'met' so many amazing and lovely people already, I've gained so much insight. I'm glad I came here, and I wonder what my recap will be like after a whole year.

Happy anniversary. :)