Happy Monday and happy first of May to all of you!
I love it when a new month kicks off on a Monday. For some reason, it feels special. It’s the perfect time to turn over a new leaf, get a fresh start, and begin a project or set new goals.
This morning, I woke up and found some wonderful news waiting for me in my inbox. Angie Dokos has nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award. Thank you, Angie. You’ve started my week and month off on a fantastic note.
Now, here are the guidelines for the Mystery Blogger Award:
1. Post the award image on your blog.
I’ve put the Altea Addison stamp on it. (See below.)
2. Thank whoever nominated you and give a link back to their blog.
That’s Angie Dokos and you can find her blog HERE. Go on, visit her blog. If you’re not already following her, I suggest that you do. She is one of my favorite bloggers.
3. Mention the creator of the award and give a link back to their blog.
This award was created by Okoto Enigma. Click HERE to visit her corner of the web. It’s a great place!
4. Tell your readers three things about yourself.
Alright then, let’s see…
First, I love summer.
Second, I hate winter. Yes, I’m using the word hate here about winter. It’s a strong word, I know. But that’s how I feel. I hate winter.
Third, I’ve just added a new item to my Bucket List – One day, I’m going to relocate to a place that has summery weather even in the winter, and then I’ll stay there for the rest of my life.
5. Nominate 10 to 20 bloggers for the award.
I’m going to bend the rules a little here, which I’ve been known to do in the past. Instead of nominating 20 bloggers today, I’m going to nominate one blogger every other Monday for the rest of the year. They can choose whether they want to follow all of the Mystery Blogger Award Guidelines or let me do a “mini-interview” with them on my blog. The mini-interview will consist of the five questions below.
6. Ask your nominees 5 questions.
Question 1: Who or what inspires you?
Question 2: What is at the top of your Bucket List?
Question 3: Imagine you’ve received an Oscar, who do you thank in your acceptance speech?
Question 4: If you had a teleportation device and could transport yourself instantly to any place in the world, where would you go right now?
Question 5: Who, living or dead, real or fictional, would you like to meet and invite for dinner?
Right, now it’s time for me to answer Angie’s questions. Okay, here goes…
1. What remains a mystery in your life?
I keep saying that I’m a work in progress because that’s how I feel. I’m not a finished product. I’m still trying to figure out how to become the best version of myself. One day, I hope I can make the people I love feel proud of me.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Anonymous Alcoholics have a saying that has played in my mind with increasing frequency over the last couple of years. It goes something like this: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” It’s called the Serenity Prayer. I’m neither an alcoholic nor a religious person, but I would like to learn how to serenely accept the things I cannot change.
How to achieve serenity remains a mystery to me.
2. What is your favorite childhood memory?
I have many beautiful memories from my childhood. It’s hard to pick a favorite. But one that stands out is my first meeting with Ms. Eyre.
To me, a book is a magical instrument. A good book transports me from my own life and immerses me in the lives of its characters. Some of these characters, such as Jane Eyre, have become lifelong friends. I have a long history with Jane. We met for the first time when I was nine years old. Since then I’ve fallen into the habit of revisiting her at least once every year.
3. What is your favorite holiday?
I don’t celebrate any of the traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter or Independence Day. But a sunny day is cause for celebration in my book. When I wake up to a sunny day, I feel like all my birthdays have come at once.
4. If you could go back and change something in your past, what would it be?
I’m far from perfect. I’ve made mistakes, perhaps fewer than others and more than some. I haven’t always done the right thing. There have been times when I’ve let myself and others down.
If I made a list of all the things I should and could have done differently or better in the past, it would be a long list. In my mind, I know that what I did and didn’t do in days gone by is of no consequence today. I know I need to focus on what I can do now and in the future. However, my heart doesn’t always listen to logic or reason.
My biggest regret is having regrets. To be specific, I regret all the time I’ve spent dwelling on my regrets, rehashing bad experiences, and berating myself for mistakes I’ve made. So that’s what I would go back and change if I could – all the time I’ve wasted dwelling on regrets.
Mason Cooley said, “Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.” I really don’t want to waste any more time thinking about wasted time.
5. What is one of your biggest fears?
They say success doesn’t happen overnight. Overnight success is a myth. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.
In terms of reaching my goals, I know I have a long road ahead of me. The decisions I made and actions I took in the past led me to where I am today. I take full responsibility for those decisions and actions. I own them, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Still, sometimes, I look around and wonder how I got here.
I know Roosevelt said that all we have to fear is fear itself, but I have a hard time taking those words to heart. I’m scared that I won’t accomplish my goals. I’m afraid that I’ll be stuck right where I am for the rest of my life. My biggest fear is that I’ll spend the last day of my life, whenever that might be, alone and broke.
Too much information? Well, you asked. Or, to be more specific, Angie asked. And I answered. Honestly. I gave you the honest, unvarnished truth.
So, as we’ve established, it’s the first day of the month. Do something nice for yourself, you hear? The first of May only comes around once a year. Have a cookie, watch a cute kitten video, or listen to your favorite song. I recommend I’ve Had the Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Incidentally, this song features in Dirty Dancing, which is my favorite movie of all time.
Come to think of it, I know EXACTLY what you should do next. Are you ready? Okay, click HERE. Why? Because Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey will appear on your screen, dancing and having the time of their lives. It’ll make your Monday, I promise.
That’s all from me for now.
– Altea