Today I start playing with the alphabet, again! Yes, I’m doing the April Blogging From A to Z Challenge for the second time. After our experience with the Challenge last year, I decided that I was doing it on Everyday Gyaan too besides on From 7Eight. I’m also linking into the Ultimate Blog Challenge and April’s NaBloPoMo.
When I began to think about what theme I would blog on for the Challenge here, I was tempted to go with many ideas, until I realized it was best to stick to my blog’s tagline : Keeping Life Simple, Authentic and Holistic. In other words, it’s business as usual – only that there’ll be a lot more posts in a short span of time.
I know from my experience last year that it’s easy to be clever with the letters of the alphabet when doing the A to Z challenge. However, this time, I’m trying not to be clever, I’m going to stick to my own voice.
Natalie Goldberg writes about her Israeli landlady, a woman in her fifties. The woman called a repairman to fix her broken TV. It took the repairman four visits to fix the screen.
“But you knew even before he came the first time what was wrong,” Natalie told her. “He could have brought the correct tube and fixed it immediately.”
The landlady looked at her in astonishment. “Yes but then we couldn’t have had a relationship, sat and drunk tea and discussed the progress of the repairs. ”
Of course, Goldberg writes, the goal was not to fix the machine but to have a relationship. To make a connection–to touch, to see, to listen, to discover, to drink from the well of the day’s gladness.
This is exactly why I started a blog to make a connection with people via my writing. And that’s just what I’m going to do with the letters of the alphabet through this month!
This post is written for the letter A for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014 José and I are undertaking the Challenge on our blog, From 7Eight too.
The Natalie Golberg story comes via Terry Hershey’s Sabbath Moment updates.
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And it sure makes sense…not being too smart with the alphabet, eh?
Anyway, I loved the theme and the way that you have weaved it. Will stay tuned
Only being myself, Kajal! 😉 Thanks.
I love the theme Corinne…but I think in reality you are being smart with the alphabet 🙂 And the making connection part says it all , doesn’t it? That’s why we blog I guess…It feels gr8 when people connect to us through our writings 🙂
Thanks, Naba. Making a connection with our words is what it’s all about. You do that well! 🙂
i love ur theme 🙂
trying not to be smart with the alphabets and being smart at the same time 😀
Thanks, Swathi. Good luck with your posts! 🙂
Lovely that you are keeping it simple, authentic and holistic! 🙂 Making beautiful connections is certainly a reason for blogging and what a golden opportunity this A-Z gives no?
Thanks, Aditi. And you’re right – you make some great connections via the A to Z.
Whoa, you have made a nice theme and an excellent write up based on the theme!! I am so curious to know more!!
My theme is just the same as the one I have all year through, Sri. 🙂
Keep it simple, eh? Lovely theme! And a great post as usual Corinne 🙂
Thanks, Gauri! 🙂
Oh yes, the goal is to build relationships and enjoy the journey! Loved the path you are following, Corinne! ♥
Thanks, Shilpa! Remember how we made a connection last year? 🙂
Yes we blog to make connections, find those with whom we share a lot of our human values and life. Writing is a way of life for me now. And it is because of this that we met too 😀
Right you are, Richa. If our words can make sense to another – that’s a great connection, I think! 🙂
I like it when you talk of keeping it simple. Easy enough if the goal is clear in our heads.
Thanks, Tulika. And you’re right, we need to be clear about it.
Lovely thought..Building Relationships or should I say touching lives…
Touching lives, indeed, Salesh. Thank you.
Hi,
This is a good idea, let us keep our life simple. This is what I am applying to my blogging too.
In our speedy lives we just don’t sit and talk any more.
Thanks a ton!
Thanks, Inderpreet. Yes, conversation is a dying art!
That landlady is my kind of person!
Great start to the A to Z, Corinne! Love, Vidya
Oh yes, she is! 😉 Thanks, Vidya.
Aah, the alphabet ! Lovely tapestry of words here, Corinne 😉 loved the way you’ve woven the smartness into the ‘not being smart’ thing 🙂 Hugs, Corinne 🙂 Staying tuned for the rest of the smartness 😀
Thanks so much, Sreeja. You have a way of making people feel good about themselves! 🙂
Hugs.
Aah…I like this very much, Corinne. A is indeed for Alphabet, I suppose 🙂 And I should add that from what I have seen so far you certainly have connected quite nicely with so many people through your writings and helped people make their own connections too. Way to go, girl! Look forward to your B post and all the rest!
Thank you, Beloo. I’m certainly glad we connected!
EG is a lovely place to be in and I love digging out your old posts are reading them, for they give a sense of comfort and peace. Glad that you are keeping the theme of EG as it is. All the best for April 🙂
PS: Hope there would be some posts from Pablo too…
Thanks, Bhavya. That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard today!
Poor Pablo is suffering from writer’s block! 😉
I just heard about this alphabet blogging thing and I think its awesome to come up with clever ideas based on the alphabet to blog about!!
Thanks, Dayana. I hope we can sustain it though! 🙂
Tell me tell me How do you think what you think, what a post 🙂
Ha ha…now I don’t go giving out secrets for free! 😉
Thanks, Ananya.
So true. It’s all about connections. What would life be if we all lived in isolation. I love how you convey your message through a story.
Thanks, Suzy! Glad you liked it.
connection is what we really want.. waiting for more feel good posts.. 🙂
Thanks, Simple Girl. I hope I can oblige!
Making relationships in this busy world is very important 🙂 … as always <3'd this too 🙂
Thanks so much, Sheetal.
You are truly keeping it simple by not playing around too much with the alphabet! 😉 I love your tagline and looking forward to this month…
Yes, I am, PB. I’m looking forward to the month too. 🙂
Simplicity is not easy to achieve and stay with. Looking fwd to your posts Corinne 🙂
Ah but we can try, Sunila! 🙂
Hi Corinne ! Great start to the A to Z blogging challenge. Making connections through writing is wonderful and it comes so naturally to you. Best of luck for the entire challenge.
Thanks, Diana. Good luck to you too!
I liked your post corinne, you are simply great ! thanks for inspiring !
Thanks, Janet.
A very straightforward and admirable aim. Good luck with the AtoZ.
Tasha
Thanks, Tasha. The same to you too.
‘Smart’ and ‘not smart’ reminds me of a senior co-worker many years back. Everybody used to tell him he was lucky to have such a smart wife. One day, somebody insensitively asked him how come such a smart woman married a ‘not smart’ guy like him. Before any further damage could be done, I retorted, “She fell for a ‘not smart’ guy, but he successfully wooed such a smart woman, obviously he’s smarter than her!” From that day, people stopped bugging him about his ‘smart’ wife!
Good one, Pro! 🙂
You amaze me with your energy- AtoZ, Nablopomo, UBC 😀 And keeping WT running through all that and running the AtoZ group! Doing it with two blogs!
Lady, I want to know what diet you’re on 😉
On a serious note, I love the anecdote about the lady talking about making connections. Because after all, that is what blogging is all about. And you make it seem so easy. Hats off to you!
Ah it’s a breeze! 🙂 Thanks, Shailaja. Yes, I loved the story too.
Business as usual – coming from you- yes, please Corinne:-) Love your writings, so Ill be following for sure. So happy to have connected with you through blogging:-) The story with the repair-guy was cute. Can totally relate… many do have the tendency to come again and again don’t they:-) Super start of the challenge:-)
Thanks, Eli. You’re so affirming. 🙂
Blogging is an excellent way of building relationships with other bloggers but as long as the effort is on from both the sides. One-way communication becomes less audible with time. AtoZ Challenge is bringing like-minded bloggers in touch with each other and helping build bridges across nations, loving it. You have started with a bang and the boom will get louder with every letter 🙂
Thanks, Sulekha. You should know – you’re the veteran A to Zer! 🙂
Oh Corrine what a lovely start to the challenge. Here in Philadelphia it is 8:45 a.m. on 4/1
I am at work but had a break so I made a cup of tea and I am off to make some connections.
Thanks, Doreen. I hope you enjoyed your tea and made some good connections! 🙂
This is going to be a great month! I look forward to all the uplifting inspiration that I will get here. I am already smiling and feeling refreshed! ♥
We’re going to rock this challenge, aren’t we, Kathy? 🙂
Yes, an important part of A to Z is forming relationships. Nice post.
It is indeed, Jolie. Thank you.
I love your simple, authentic and holistic blog, Corinne and am so glad we connected. You are great how you support others and are always positive and uplifting.
And by the way, I think you’re VERY CLEVER, too! Just sayin…. Look forward to more fun this month with the A-Z Challenge.
Thanks so much, Cat. It’s lovely to have you blogging again. I do love our connection. ♥
Corinne, what a fabulous thought about using the A-Z to explore human connections. The landlady in your anecdote reminds me of my grandmum, who is the most interesting nonagenarian I have known, all because of her connections. 🙂
(At 91, she visits her ‘mandal’ – her local ladies club – every Thursday, to catch up on news, the latest books and catch up with some of her friends, who have been members of this club since 1944. )
Thanks for the reminder on the power of keeping in touch.
Thanks, Monica. You’re grandmom sounds like an amazing woman. What an example for you and your family!
And aren’t we the luckier for it!
Can’t wait to read and get a true sense of YOUR voice!!!
So glad we’re connected, Cristina! 🙂
that’s a beautiful thought because in the end, it’s the relationship that stays and matters
Thanks, Rajlakshmi. And you’re so right!
Making and maintaining connections….Life is all about this…
Lovely … happy blogging!
It is, Sheela. Thank you!
what a great theme am happy you are enjoying doing the challenge
Thanks so much, Lisa. Are you doing the challenge too?
Amazing theme 🙂 Just loved the pic and the quote…so inspiring .
It’s my first time at A-Z Challenge….do drop in by my blog 🙂
Thanks, Sushree. I’m sure you’ll do great with the challenge!
Yes you are right….it depends what all words we weave together with alphabets…
Today I read somewhere that people who use words which hurt are not bestowed with enough wisdom to be friends with good ones…
Your post…..reiterated that to me
Thanks, Sitara. That’s a great quote.
Your post is amazing!
LOVE Natalie Goldberg. She’s one of my faves.
Love you, too! xx
I am certainly getting her books, Kim. I love whatever I’ve read of hers so far!
Love you, Kim.
You are being smart 😛
You think, Lata? 😉
Wow. Powerful post! It hit me really hard and warm like being tossed into a hot tub.
Good luck with A-Z. I’ll be stopping by often!
Thank you, RM Hepler. Loved the comparison! 😉
Did I tell you, that you are a genius… wow… loved the quotes, loved the sense you made….this was an awesome little post
No you didn’t, Amrit? 😉 Thanks, all the same. Glad you liked the post.
I really love what you’re doing with this, Corinne! A little bit different, is good 🙂
Thanks a lot, Carrie-Anne!
N cory lemme tell you, you excel at building relationships. **Respect**
Hmmm…not everyone would agree, Meena, but thank you.
Just trying to add a comment to check if my link appears 🙂
Nope it didn’t 🙁 Wondering why – what message is it giving you?
Keeping it simple always helps to clear the clutter in our minds! Well put! Looking forward to read more!
Thanks so much, Danny! Off to read your post now. 🙂
Dear Corrine, your own voice sounds clever. Yes more words like friend and love would be great. I hope you have an awesome April.
Thank you, Ida. Wishing a fantastic month too! 🙂
Hi Corinne. Thanks for visiting the Crazy Town! Love the beautiful decorative letters illustrated here. 🙂
Thanks, Adam. You’re post was great.
And I know how wonderful it feels to make connections with people with the help of our writings. Did not I tell you before, about the connection that i feel for you Corry?
Wonderful theme. I, for once again, going with ‘randomness’ as my theme.
I’m sure you do, Pree. You must ‘talk’ more though – so glad to see you back. Randomness is great.
About the connection – you did and I feel the same. 🙂
To be one’s self is the best thing! Always enjoy your posts Corinne. Very insightful!
Thanks so much, Debbie.
Good use of the alphabet, and some really great quotes there! You’re such a great source of inspiration.
Thanks so much, Loni. Loved the start of your story! 🙂
The Natalie Goldberg snippet is PRICELESS!
It’s as simple as that!
Yes, the beauty is that it’s so simple, isn’t it? Thanks for visiting.
Relationships are important, and I love your theme. Great start to the A to Z Challenge. 🙂
Yes, they are. And thank you for visiting.
Nice thoughts hope to read more of your blog
Thanks for the visit, Vikas.
“Business as usual” sounds great to me… looking forward to reading your posts!
Thanks, Laurel! 🙂
And You are connecting so well…bringing together people from all spheres, and walks of life…
Thank you so much, Pratikshya. You’re not doing the A – Z challenge? 🙂
Now, THIS is something I am going to look forward to everyday. You are a very special lady and I am anxious to know you better.
Thank you, Carol. I feel the same about you. I’m hoping to read your book next month – after the Challenge is over.
I need to be here earlier I guess if I want to scroll minimal. 🙂 Your own voice is good, Corry. Best option really. Waiting for you ka B 😉
Thanks, Vinay. I was waiting for you to comment before I published the next one! 😉
Thank heavens for saying the alphabet. Everywhere I read, everyone says the alphabets. Good luck to you for the challenge!
I guess we all make mistakes, Rachna. And this is a common one.
Thank you! 🙂
Alphabets link to make words, words to make sentences and sentences to make connections. Lovely way of looking at alphabets Corinne. Btw loved the story of the Israeli landlady.
Thanks, Geeta. Yes, we string the letters of the alphabet into words – it’s our choice what words we use! 🙂