The estimated reading time for this post is 6 minutes
Last Wednesday, a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal and a lead story on the Today Show were about a newspaper columnist. What made this writer so remarkable was not that she is an 85 year old woman from North Dakota nor that she wrote an article reviewing a newly opened Olive Garden in her hometown. What made her remarkable was that her post went viral (“I didn’t really know what that meant,” she confessed on the Today Show) because of all the negative reaction to her Olive Garden review from blogs such as Gawker, The Huffington Post and others, mocking her review of a chain restaurant.
The writer, Marilyn Hagerty, remains unruffled by the negativity directed at her post from blogs. “We all have different ideas of what we want to do with our time, don’t we?” she reasons rationally.
The world of blogging can be a cold, cruel place with vicious attacks heaped on others, often cloaked in anonymity. People can harshly criticize in comments or on their own blog. Before I started The Wonder of Tech, I was warned by my loved ones that I would need a thick skin to deal with the diatribes that would be directed at me in the comments to my blog.
That hasn’t happened.
Instead, my readers have been supportive, inquisitive, helpful and all around awesome. Disagreements have been respectful, intelligent and thoughtful. The feedback I have received has been inspirational and I thank you very much for your continuing support of The Wonder of Tech.
But mine isn’t the only blog that tries to stay positive.
I have been honored in receiving The Sunshine Award, awarded to “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.” I have received this honor from Adrienne Smith and Bill Dorman, with honorable mentions from Praveen Rajarao and Ruth Zive. I was truly honored to receive this award from people who give positive, creative inspiration with every post. Thank you, Adrienne and Bill, for giving me this award.
In case you haven’t checked out Adrienne and Bill’s blogs yet, you’re in for a treat. Adrienne and Bill are the Queen and King of blogging, mastering the art of engaging with their readers. They’re blogging royalty, royalty as in Princess Kate and Prince Harry, gracious and fun!
As an award winner, there are a few rules I need to follow:
- Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
- Answer the questions below.
- Pass on the award to 10 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs, and let them know you awarded them.
For this award I have chosen bloggers who put a smile on my face whenever I read their blogs. Other blogs enrich and enlighten me in various ways, but these are the ones who consistently lift my spirits with their positive posts. I am not supposed to nominate those who have already received the award, but I’m a rebel and won’t let anyone take my Sunshine away.
Congratulations to these fellow bloggers to whom I give the Sunshine Award (in alphabetical order by first name):
Ashvini Kumar Saxena – Ashvini’s blog, Thoughts on Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Motivation, is not only positive in its writing style, but also in its message. Ashvini advises businesses by offering his words of wisdom on how to succeed by honoring valued employees and treating customers fairly. Ashvini is also an accomplished author, having published a Kindle ebook and releasing his latest ebook this week. Great news! He is offering his latest ebook free for a limited time here: 30 Key Guidelines for Practical Entrepreneurship.
Barbara Klein – Barbara’s blog, Late Bloomers, is filled with beauty. Barbara, a native of Switzerland, retains the wonder of a first time visitor to Europe as she shares with us the sites and experiences of amazing places she visits. Her words and stunning photographs impart images on our senses to help us feel as if we are joining a friend on an incredible adventure.
Carol Biederman – I chose Carol’s blog, Let’s Get Deals Today! for the Sunshine Award not because she wrote a fantastic guest post about Geocaching here at The Wonder of Tech and not because she is a dear friend. Her blog always teaches me something, whether it’s a new website or a deal at Target. I always learn from her posts and often save money in the process, putting a smile on my face every time! She’s been blogging for a while but just launched her new site yesterday. Please pay her a visit and give her a warm welcome!
Deeone Higgs – Deeone is a man who has been through challenges in life, but has used these challenges as a foundation for his positive view of the world. Deeone’s blog, Releasing Me Today, is filled with inspiration and motivation sure to life your spirits and your heart.
Harleena Singh – If Harleena’s blog, Aha-Now!, doesn’t put a smile on your face, her beautiful picture will. Harleena’s blog is filled with positive advice on family matters. Her tribute to her father, My Father, My Pride, was an especially moving and inspirational piece about a distinguished gentleman.
Hajra Khatoon – Don’t let the title fool you, Hajra Kvetches! isn’t a rant-filled blog on the annoyances of life. Instead, Hajra inspires us with her perspective on the world using her wit and her words.
Janet Callaway – Janet’s blog, The Natural Networker, is filled with information and inspiration. Janet is the master of quotes, gathering insightful words from others and compiling them into articles that will make you look at life a little differently. Janet’s posts are also instructional, helping you to make the most of your life in a positive way.
Jens Berget – Jens has recently embarked on an exciting journey, starting his new business. His blog, Sly Marketing, has advice on blogging, marketing, tech and life. And pizza, but as Jens will tell you, pizza IS life. His upbeat approach to any topic always brightens my day.
Mike Maynard – Mike writes on a variety of topics, frugal living, investing, Farmville, psychology, politics and, my personal favorite, photography. His blog, Mike 10613’s Blog, is always informative and entertaining. He will also take requests so if you have a question on any of these topics, ask and Mike will try to help you out!
Stan Faryna – Stan’s blog, The Unofficial Blog of Stan Faryna, is filled not just with articles, but with multi-media experiences. Stan indulges us with podcasts, videos and music to enhance the words he writes. Stan never “phones it in”, but always writes passionately on the topic at hand. His passion is infectious and positive, making any day a bit brighter.
Congratulations to all of my Sunshine Award winners! Thank you for brightening my days.
Now to the questions…
Favorite Color – Turquoise. The color of tropical seas has both an energetic and a calming effect on me.
Favorite Animal – My dog, Astro. He is a Cavachon, half Bichon and half Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has a wonderful disposition and is friendly to everyone. He deserves his own Sunshine Award!
Favorite Number – 16. It’s a square, and the square of a square. Very cool (plus it’s my birthday day).
Favorite Drink – I’ve recently discovered Godiva Chocolate Coffee, a Christmas present from my father-in-law.
Facebook or Twitter – I’m a big fan of Twitter, but Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with friends from my past I wouldn’t have been able to find otherwise. So I have to vote Facebook.
Your Passion – My family. I have been truly blessed with three amazing daughters and a husband who goes beyond my dreams.
Giving or getting presents – ‘Tis more blessed to give than to receive.
Favorite Day – Friday. Fridays have the comfort of routine with the promise of the unexpected.
Favorite Flowers – Hydrangea. These flowers are beautiful and come in a rainbow of colors.
Do you appreciate blogs with a positive message? Do you enjoy uplifting and inspirational articles? Have you checked out any of the winning blogs? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* Rainbow image by Roy
** Sunset image by Garry
Wow! Congratulations Carolyn!
You have been nominated so-so many times, but that doesn’t really come as a surprise to me for the ‘wonder-woman’ that you truly are!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for nominating me for the Sunshine Award, though I have already been given this award earlier by Samantha, Ruth, and Jimmy. Nevertheless, I have just added a special update to that post with your mention in it as well, as I possibly can’t write another post on it. Please do have a look at it here- http://bit.ly/yNknwy .
I couldn’t agree with your wonderful list of people chosen to carry forward the torch, as I know most of them and they ARE wonderful indeed.
Two similar things we share in common are our favorite pet and passion. And I never really knew you too are a dog lover- Astro is adorable indeed! And our passions remain the same- our families as well!
You made my day with the mere mention here Carolyn, and am so glad you liked and remembered the post about my Dad- he truly holds a special place in my heart.
Thanks so much for sharing and I am indeed humbled and honored to be listed along with such wonderful people. 🙂
Hello My Dear Harleena, yes, I know you received the award already, but I had to break the rules to include you. Otherwise I just couldn’t write about this award. Thank you for your kind words here and in your update on your blog.
You exude such positivity, Harleena, that I simply had to let my readers know about your blog.
Your post about your father moved me as it reflected how I feel about my father. You writing was so heartfelt, it touched many people. I’m sure your father is equally as proud of you as you are of him.
I am totally spellbound Carolyn, and feel lucky that you thought about me and broke the rules too 🙂
I get inspired to do my bit on my blog because of having wonderful friends like you on the blogosphere, and am truly blessed.
Thank you so much for those warn, kind, and loving words about me and my dad. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Congratulations for getting the award. I cannot think of anyone better than you getting it 🙂 .
Also thank you so much for mentioning my blog and ebook. I am sure it will give the much needed exposure to the book. I hope you will like the contents of ebook. It will soon be available on Kindle ( in 2-3 weeks from now) . Till then it is free to download
Now I am off to mention people on my list :).
Hi Ashvini, Thanks so much and congratulations on your award! I also appreciate your giving use an advance copy of your ebook before you sell it at Amazon. I will you much continued success with your blog and your ebooks, my friend! (*)
Well done, polygadgetist! Keep the sunshine beaming.
Hi Gramps, Thanks so much! I appreciate your good wishes. 🙂
Wow Carolyn,
This is truly an honor. Thank you from the depths of my being. You, my friend, have provided me with many days of sunshine; reaching out to me (and you probably don’t know this) but when I needed it the most. It hasn’t always been through either of our blogs, either. Your kindness, compassion, and support always comes in such a way that I must say, it catches me off guard each time. That’s totally a good thing though. 😉 So thank you for yet another moment you’ve brighten an already glorious day. I’m humbled to know that I have done the same for you. That ROCKS!! 😀
Congrats to each of the other recipients, as well! Many of which I know and visit their blogs, some I am simply familiar with, and a few I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting. However, if you nominated them, I know they are very much deserving of it. I know the ones that I’m familiar with are. So CONGRATS TO ALL!! 🙂
I loved the answers to your questions too. The Godiva Chocolate Coffee sounds heavenly; I’ll be placing that on my shopping list. Thanks for the heads up! 😉 I also share the love of hydrangeas with you; and thank you so much for sharing the image. That totally gave me a smile.
Fantabulous story in the beginning of the post as well. That was a real treat!
All in all, awesome job on the Sunshine Award; I was one of those that you were a rebel in listing. Yet, I really appreciate you sharing this with me once again. I’m more touched for being nominate by you, than I am the award itself. So again, Thank you SO much, my dear friend. Pure Awesomeness, you are to me. That pretty much says it all. 🙂
Easy now, don’t get too carried away……….:). Congrats, well deserved…..
Deeone can get as carried away as he wants! 😛
Congratulations and thanks so very much! This is such a wonderful way to honor blogs! And yes, loved learning more about you! 🙂
Three daughters! We are three sisters also and yes, believe me three is lucky! 🙂 And yes turquoise; you reminded me that there is a color by that name!
Thanks so so much for the wonderful mention! And for the compliment! I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful blogging people; you all are so awesome to be with..always! 🙂
Pretty sweet, huh? This AND $500 smackers………..:)
Has been an awesome week! 500 is a huge number for me; given the current exchange rate! 🙂
Hajra, Bill is just making me look cheap. He gave out Ferraris with his Sunshine Awards. X_X
I missed them… I have to be on his sunshine list next; I want that car!
Hi Hajra, Wow, that’s very cool you are one of three sisters. My girls are really close and have always gotten along well. They’re fairly close in age too so that helps.
Thank you for the kinds words, Hajra! I feel exactly the same way about you. You have built such a strong and wonderful blog with your talents. I’m so glad to have met you in the blogosphere, Hajra! 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
Well, I’m glad none of us have received horrible and negative comments yet. I hope that day never comes although some people say you haven’t made it until people don’t like you. Yikes!!!
Thank you for your kind words and I’m so happy you are writing about this today. If anyone is deserving of this award Carolyn that would be your. I’ll have to visit some of the bloggers you mentioned that I haven’t known about yet.
I love reading all about you and what you shared with us. Godiva coffee, oh my. Astro looks so innocent and sweet, just like my precious girl.
You’re the best Carolyn and we definitely appreciate you young lady!
Have a fabulous day and thank you again!
~Adrienne
Hey Adrienne, Thank you again for your immense friendship and support of me and my blog. You have been amazing and bestowing the Sunshine Award on me is just one of many examples of your generosity.
I actually don’t mind people disagreeing with me in the comments, especially on tech. Nothing like a lively discussion! But I want the comments to be respectful of others and so far that has happened. I haven’t been trashing comments because they were nasty, that has never happened. I attribute that to the positiveness of the blogging community.
Thanks for bringing your sunshine to so many, Adrienne! o:-)
Hi Carolyn,
Congratulations on the award. You really have some great pictures in this post. The rainbow and beach shots are spectacular as as the bloggers you named.
Thanks, Jack! I love those pictures too. I figured if I was writing about how others brightened the day, I should try to do that too. 🙂
Go Astro, what a cute dog……..
And you even set me straight on the difference of a DVR and a VCR in a kind and polite way; even if it was at Adrienne’s…..
Good group of peeps; I know most and all are quality, quite the lineup indeed.
Hi Bill, Yes, I am quite a tech expert, knowing the difference, aren’t I?
I actually missed having a clock on a DVR when I first got one. As you can imagine, my VCR clock never blinked 12:00. 😉
Thanks again for honoring me with this award. It meant a lot coming from someone who knows everyone who has ever been on the Internet. :-bd
Congratulations to you, Carolyn, for such a wonderful blog that is so deserving of the Sunshine Award. I am not surprised you received such an honor not once, but twice, as well as two honorable mentions. So very well deserved.
And Wow! I am totally honored that you have selected me to receive the Sunshine Award too! You have been such an inspiration to me in launching my own blog not quite five months ago. Without your encouragement, I am not sure I would have gotten out of the starting gate, let alone be here today with a new and improved site.
And congrats to everyone else Carolyn has honored. Though I might not have visited each and every one of you, I most certainly will now. Any friend of Carolyn’s is a friend of mine.
Happy day everyone!
Hi Carol, I can’t imagine anyone visiting your site would know you’ve been at it such a short time. You’ve come a long way, baby!
Your blog is so amazing I would definitely subscribe to it even if I didn’t know you. Your theme alone deserves the Sunshine Award! 🙂
Congratulations on coming so far so fast. I wish you much continued success and am happy for those fortunate enough to discover the treasure that is your blog! 🙂
Carolyn,
Nice kudos to the others. Why don’t you add a blog roll to the right hand side of your blog to highlight others you like.
I could mark them as favorites but actually I am being overrun with favorites even though I keep them neatly in different files and use firefox to the max with all their abilities.
Lee
p.s. loved the hydrangea pics but here in central VA we are overrun with deer and it seems hydrangeas are their favorite food.
Hi Lee, That’s an interesting idea about the Blog Roll. I will have to have a think on that one. I have a lot of favorites, so that Roll might take over my blog.
Do you use an RSS reader such as Google Reader? You could subscribe to your favorite blogs with RSS feeds so you don’t have to save bookmarks or have your email overwhelmed with new posts.
Your deer in Virginia must be different from our deer here in PA. Our deer prefer tulips. 🙂
Congratulations Carolyn,
If I accept this award I have to try to remember 10 blogs that I like. My memory is getting worse, I was going to see my doctor about it but I keep on forgetting! You might like the blog I wrote today, I think my sense of humour is returning if not my memory. There are signs of Spring. Perhaps I have seasonally affected disorder? I’ll have to copy the seven questions too. I like black and white rats but dislike brown ones…
Hi Mike, I like all your blogs, so I’m sure I will like today’s post.
We are having a very early Spring here. Flowers are blooming as if it were May. It’s truly beautiful.
So you could answer two questions at once with that rat statement: your favorite colour and your favorite animal. 😉
Thank you, Carolyn. You lifted my heart. You made a difference in my day.
Hi Stan, I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks so much for making me a Rockstar. You have definitely altered my path in blogging, for the better. The devotion you show to achieving your best in whatever you do is truly inspirational.
Thanks for your friendship and support, Stan! 🙂
Ah, Carolyn, little did I guess at the beginning of your post …. congrats on the sunshine bestowed on you and thank you so much for spreading it! I love the way you perceive us all (I blush a little) and I hope I can treat you to another great European city in my next posts: Rome – here I come!
You not only brighten our days with your beautiful personality but you bring so much sound advice to us – I will never forget the Dropbox post or last year’s guest blog on FB changes when I was ready to throw everything out of the window, or all the valuable information on iPhone, iPad et al.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and hugs and rubs to Astro, I did not know about your being a dog aficionado as well!
Hi Barbara, When I lived in England, Brits loved how ex-pats would renew their excitement at their amazing country. It’s so easy to take for granted where you live. But you don’t seem to be that way, Barbara. You retain a wonder at all that surrounds you, reveling in the charms of Europe. Thank you so much for sharing your joys with us and brightening our days. 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn, you are amazing: you show me sides of my personality I am not consciously aware of or take for granted. And I find I can express myself much better by taking pictures of what is around me.
And if I can brighten somebody’s days I am truly blessed!
Barbara, I truly wish we could have met when I lived in Europe but perhaps some day we will meet in Peru! 🙂
Carolyn – Congratulations once again on this honorable award and I am sure you deserve it more than anybody else for all the wonderful contributions one can find on your awesome blog.
Thanks for mentioning me in the post and I am glad you could again nominate more bloggers who are truly worthy of the award.
Hi Praveen, Thank you very much for mentioning me when you received the Sunshine Award. Your blog is certainly a shining example of sunshine, Your positive attitude greatly contributes to the fantastic success of your blog. 🙂
Carolyn, aloha. Congratulations on being the recipient of this award so many times. Actually, it’s no surprise because when people see your smiling face it’s like a ray of sunshine beaming down from your blog or in the comments section.
Getting to know you over this past year, has brought even more sunshine into my life. Thank you so much.
Thank you too for giving me this award and including me in the company of such terrific bloggers. While I know most of them, there are a few that I don’t so thanks for the introduction.
Astro is sooooooooo cute. Though I am not familiar with that hybrid, since I know people who own either the Kind Charles or the Bichon, I can well imagine what a delight he is.
Good choice on the number 16 which is my birthday day also. Mine is next month. When’s yours?
The sunset and rainbow images are absolutely spectacular. In fact, I will have to come back to visit this post because they are so amazing. You always find such great images which add to the enjoyment of your posts.
Thank you too for moving the share button bar over to the right side of the page. Not only doe it look good there, it looks much cleaner. As you know, it was always a distraction for me to have the share button bar covering a part of the post.
Again, many thanks for including me. Best wishes for a terrific rest of the week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, I absolutely had to include you in the Sunshine award. Your blog is all about positive spirit and lifting yourself and others up with your messages. Thank you so much, not only for brightening your readers’ days, but for your support and friendship. I appreciate you! 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
Thank you so much!
I have never given out the sunshine reward, but now it’s about time. And when I do, you’ll be receiving it with honors 🙂
Hi Jens, Your refreshingly insightful and positive writing makes some wonder “What Would Jens Do”? when considering their blogging, marketing and life choices. Thanks for brightening our days. 🙂
ditto 🙂
Congratulations, Carolyn!
You’re a magnet for awards, but you know very well that I believe you deserve it. (*)
I laughed very much when I read about your favorite number: “a square, and the square of a square” — oh you, tech addict! :-j
I’ll certainly go through the awarded blogs — I trust your picks.
Hi Eleni, Thank you for the kind words and for the Versatile Blogger Award! I really appreciate the honor from you at your blog.
Yes, I confess, I’m a tech addict. I have to confess even more, though that I didn’t even realize that liking a square of a square was a sign of my addiction, lol! 🙂
this is a great post and congrads to you and your amazing blog i really enjoy reading your blog it is just so full of useful information and i thank you for sharing it.
Congratulations Carolyn for your award!
This is a very good post! I felt good reading it. Every workplace has negativity thrown at you at some point. I wish I can take the positive attitude and work towards my goal.