There you go! I actually wrote my A to Z Challenge theme reveal post today in a waiting room. Yes, there were websites – with spiders – and we enjoyed watching them go about their job!
Now, the transcript of those handwritten notes:
Little did I think I would be writing my A to Z Challenge 2016 Theme Reveal post, waiting at the passport office – waiting, in fact, to be harassed with nothing to show fo rit after several hours – of running around, in the sun and upstairs and downstairs, because you know, that’s how they roll!
So while my son, whose passport renewal was the reason we were there, was busy composing poetry, I decided to “write”, really write my posts. But not before I had finished fretting over the two hours it had taken us to get there, and heaven knew how many more before we left.
“Mummy”, said my son, “You really should count our blessings“.
As I looked at him, a smile spreading across my face, we did indeed follow through with action. Here is what we listed:
- Cool room. Big deal, because it was very hot outside
- Water to drink. Nectar, really!
- Each other’s company.
- The thought of visiting that dessert place on the way home.
- Traveling comfortably by cab – so grateful we could afford it.
- A snack bar outside, should we get the munches.
- The luxury of time. Yes, we were grateful.
- The anticipation of meeting a very close friend after we were done at the passport office.
Guess what? My theme of the A to Z Challenge had just taken birth, thanks to my son. As we appreciated the here and now….
drumroll…
Living in the moment…
Mindful living
That, my friends, is what I will be writing about in April 2016 for this year’s A to Z Challenge.
Expect (Gasp!) fairly short posts that will include a mindfulness exercise or practice you can use. Something like Smiling meditation and chocolate meditation. I hope to bundle these posts into an ebook and that thought excites me.
Last year, I enjoyed going with the theme of writing Letters to my son, which seemed appropriate, what with his going away to college soon after.
I used to think it was easier not to go with a theme, but after last year, I am convinced that it makes sense because:
- It is easier to plan around a theme
- It keeps me focused
- I can structure my posts
- I feel a nice sense of consistency
- You know what to expect
Not saying not having a theme is not okay – but yeah, having experienced both, I’d lean towards a theme.
This year, which is my fourth year with the A to Z Challenge, I am participating with four blogs and I am with Team Damyanti, D’s Company.
Yes, I love the A to Z Challenge!
The A to Z Challenge is one of my favorite blogging activities.
Okay, okay, my favorite!
That I love to write, is a given. I do occasionally take part in other blogging/writing challenges. But why am I absolutely hooked to the A to Z Challenge?
I first learned about the A to Z Challenge in 2013 when Damyanti of Daily (W)rite tagged me on Twitter. I fell in love with the concept. Blogging daily with thousands of people in a specific pattern appealed to me tremendously. So many perspectives and so many genius themes and ideas to meet! The whole idea filled me with joy and I energetically jumped in. I could think of nothing but ideas for April – my kitchen shelf was full of my scribbling. My writing pad was filled with doodles and mind mapping for ideas. My friends and family got a bit tired of me trying to fit everything into the A to Z sequence. I suspect they loved it, though! So, in my first A to Z Challenge in 2013, I participated with one blog. In 2014, 2 blogs, in 2015, 3 blogs.
This year, 2016, I am participating with 4 blogs – I enjoy the challenge so much.
Why A to Z Challenge is my favorite :
- It keeps my adrenaline pumping and my writing muscles flexed and ready
- It cultivates a writing discipline I enjoy
- I get back into the groove with posting regularly on two of my 5 blogs.
- It encourages planning ahead – this is a major life lesson I follow in other areas of life, but not always with blogging. To truly enjoy blogging challenges, planning is critical.
- It boosts my creativity, making me think of freaky ways to entertain my readers, rather than just give them info. Yes, I like to think they love me!
- I get to meet new and wonderful bloggers via the challenge. I’ve met several who are fast friends now, location no bar!
- I’ve been part of a co-host’s team for two years and enjoy the team work behind the scenes, team spirit and fun. Sort of like a girl gang, only wiser!
- The A to Z is a great way to actually plan your book if you aspire to write one. I mean, write around a theme for 30 days and you have a pretty good premise for a book or an anthology!
- If you believe that travel broadens the mind, youíve got to believe that blog-hopping also broadens the mind, and heart.
- Talking of travel, I almost always travel in April, but that doesn’t stop me from sailing through the challenge, thanks to the encouragement of my supporters!
- The learning. This is tremendous. Can you believe I actually converted from being a pantser to a scheming theming planner Yes I did! Go check out last year’s letters to my son! I have to confess a theme feels good and keeps you focused.
- I love getting in a couple of guest posts from my blogging friends and highlighting them as there are usually more visitors in April and that makes me feel good.
- I enjoy doing the Reflections post – what activity is complete without a review and some learning points – and how to do it better next time, eh?
- The A to Z encourages me to explore my own writing abilities and I am surprised to discover how much more I am capable of.
- Consistent writing and online conversations are good for ranking- which means more paid opportunities for your blog.
So it is hardly surprising I am doing it this year – and will continue to do it for as long as I blog! To sum up, the April A to Z Challenge is, hands down, the best motivation for bloggers to write, connect and grow.
Let’s just say, if you like blogging, if you need the motivation to get back in the groove, the A to Z Challenge is for you! So what are you waiting for?
Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles (you are here, thank you!) – Living Mindfully
Be Healthy Be Happy – healthy living
So, looking forward to all the fun, the excitement, the stress and enjoyment!
What’s your theme for the A to Z Challenge this year?
Harkening back to a previous post of yours, you truly are SUPERWOMAN, Vidya! 🙂 WOW! Four blogs for the A to Z PLUS responsibilities with Damyanti’s team? I am in awe of this. Exhausting just to think about. Good luck with the challenge and your ebook! 🙂
Debbie, sometimes I do wonder if my head was in the right place when I entered 4 blogs…but then I love a challenge! So happy to see you here – thanks for your encouraging words! I have set myself some lofty goals for March-April and I suspect I will achieve them 🙂 I am looking forward to your posts in April – I love a good anecdote! Hugs!
Well, you sure take the adage ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ a bit too seriously ?
Good luck for A-Z, but you’re already a legend at it.
PS. Nice handwriting and I don’t think a transcript of the same was necessary 🙂
Thank you, Sid. Not sure about the legend part, but I am certainly over-enthusiastic about these things – how well I do them is a variable. Well I had to transcript because a certain someone asked if I expected everyone to be able to read it 🙂 Hehehe. Hugs! Always grateful for your support!
SID author must be praised but not in this way. Read few articles in this blog She is a Super women 🙂
Handwriting should be improved, can’t able to read few lines. Thanks for transcript so everyone can understand easily.
Love your theme, Vidya! And your handwriting– wowssers. mine is like spider crawl..
Thank you Damyanti! I decided to post the handwritten post at the last minute… Looking forward to Team and Theme fun during A to Z! Glad we’re together again this year!
Hello Vidya interesting topic and look forward to reading more and learning to live better 🙂
Hi Dahlia! Great to see you here! Love your theme “Indian weddings” for the A to Z Challenge – it will most definitely be exciting to read! Looking forward to connecting more!
Living in the Moment is one of my biggest challenges, and something I would like to achieve more often than I do. I love this theme and am looking forward to some of your exercises and thoughts around mindfulness.
Thank you Karen! Life has been rather full of ups and downs over the past few months and I figured this would be the best theme – writing about what I’ve been practising. I am looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned 🙂
You have a lovely blog. Just read your St.Patricks Day post – and it seems so much fun!
Vidya, I love it — and I love your handwriting! Mine, never gorgeous to begin with, has through disuse become a thing of disgust 😀 (But I still insist on handwriting my journals…) What a beautiful lesson, and what a beautiful theme. As always, I’ll be looking forward to your April posts.
P.S. — Three hurrahs for D’s Company! 😉
Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Guilie! Journalling is so much fun and I always make it a point to carry a book with me to write in. Never once regretted it! I agree with the handwriting disuse though – most of our work is done with a keyboard and it gets harder to really write with a pen. I am trying to keep that habit alive.
Hi, I have to say I am thoroughly in awe of your A-Zing expertise – 4 blogs, whoa! I don’t have the foggiest as to what chocolate meditation is, but it sounds just my cup of tea! 🙂 Have a great A-Z!
Best wishes,
Nilanjana.
Thank you Nilanjana! If you like chocolate, you will love the meditation! I am all about easy to put into action stuff! 🙂 Looking forward to the A to Z Challenge with you!
Vidya, I LOVE long hand.
At heart, I’m an old-fashioned pen-and-paper gal! 🙂
Your theme unfolded “in the moment” – that’s truly organic.
I’ll see you around on the A to Z circuit!
I love your handwriting Vidya! So neat. I think mindful living is an excellent theme. Eager to learn so much this April.
I recently came across an Eckhart Tolle quote, “Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.”
You and your son exemplified that while sitting in the passport office.
And to agree with other comments, no transcription was required. Vidya, you have a very nice handwriting.
As usual, another great post. 🙂
You’re wonderful, Vidya, and I am truly grateful for the fates that helped Damyanti bring us together. I am not the best of followers, but I do read your posts, and sometimes I just wish I could have a morsel of your mindfulness. But then I remember – stop trying, and just be. As something else I read said: We are not called human doings, we are human beings.
Really looking forward to more of your inspirational wisdom this April – don’t work too hard and forget to enjoy it, though 🙂
PS I hope you got to that dessert place 🙂
Jemima, I wondered if anyone would ask me that! Unfortunately it was pretty late by the time we started back home and we were tired… so decided to skip it and go another day. 🙂 Heheh. Hugs!
You know what Vidya I read your handwritten notes and thought you have written it like that. It looked so beautiful and personal. Like a writer sharing their inner most feeling with the readers. Looking forward to your posts. As always motivating and full of positivity.
Rubes, I did write it! But decided to type it also, just in case it wasn’t very clear to read. I often write my posts and then type them up. Hehehe. Hugs! Thank you!
Hi Vidya! Love the handwritten manuscript. A great theme that will benefit everyone reading am sure.:) and I guess four blogs is raising the bar! Congrats and good luck. Looking forward to it..
Thank you dear Seena! Are you participating in the A to Z? It is great fun!
Yes, its my first time and I am very excited! 🙂
You will ace it this time also, Mam. I’m so looking forward to reading your posts. Esp. this one! Let’s have a rocking April 🙂
Hi Shalini! I am just loving your energy as I see updates of your trail on Facebook in my email! Yes, lets have a rocking April!
Lovely theme,fabulous post and incredibly neat handwriting! Sigh,mine is.?never mind. I’m sure you’ll do fine with four blogs but gasp! Four blogs!
Hugs and all the best for the A-Z ??
Ah thank you Shailaja! I am counting on your support! Hugs!
Maate… aapke charan kahan hain?!! You are super amazing, Vidya… 4 blogs!! Your theme will make us reflect and inspire too. Looking forward to read you this April! And you have a beautiful handwriting. ♥
Thanks Shilpa! I will strive to keep up 😉
Mindful living – fits your site well.
I can’t believe how many blogs of yours are participating in the Challenge. I am in awe.
Love the theme Vidya, it’s so important to be reminded of that every day, I’m glad we’ll have you do it for us ☺
Andrea
Your handwriting is so pretty…mine looks like a teenaged Doctor. I am looking forward to your posts and I a actually excited to try your exercises which will only bring happy thoughts. Loving it!
If I haven’t said this before…lemme say it now….You have a fantabulous handwriting Vidya! The theme is lovely and I look forward to seeing you in April!
Such a wonderful idea, love your blog. Thanks for following, I’ll be doing the same!
Positively love what you did!
This is an interesting theme. I look forward to read your April posts 🙂
And yeah I smiled today 😀
Wow! FOUR blogs and here I was worrying of completing the challenge. Your very inspiring post has got me all pumped up for the A to Z Challenge with renewed zest. You are going to be my guiding light all along.
Way to go Vidya, you are A.W.E.S.O.M.E. <3
Loved your theme & thank you for sharing your experience from having taken up the challenge earlier too. It was very helpful 🙂
I'm so glad that I came across you through your blog 😀
Hehehe, Hugs! Sometimes I wonder how I’ll manage … but I function best under pressure – it works positively for me and I am excited too! I am glad we connected, too! Let’s buddy up through the challenge – I am looking forward to reading your posts – and you know what? You’re going to ace it!
Excited to read so much for April !!!
Thank you Vasantha
Beautiful post Vidya. Mindful living is something I try to consciously follow whenever I can, You have a beautiful handwriting, loved reading your handwritten note,
Hi Vidya, I fell in love with your ‘did you smile today Budha’ when I first stumbled upon your blog and bookmarked the page. What’s not to go ‘goo goo ga ga’ over your handwritten notes? Love the handwriting, the words and the meaning, but most of all the list of blessings in the waiting room. I’m going for the challenge for the first time and feel overwhelmed. Maybe, I should’ve picked a theme. I hope to dip into your cool pool of mindfulness for a refreshing sip when I feel parched in April. Thank you.
Arti, thank you for your lovely words! To theme or not to theme is always a dilemma I enjoy! Which is why I choose a subject that’s already on this blog – so I can have fun with it. I look forward to our interaction. Hugs! Of course you know you made my day with your comment about the Buddha and the smile question! 🙂
Awesome theme. This is my first year doing the A to Z Challenge, so I didn’t know if I would want to go with a theme or not so I didn’t just so I had a little more freedom for my first year. I look forward to coming back to visit your posts. I struggle with mindful living as well, so maybe I can learn from your posts. Thanks!
Hi Cassie! Thanks for coming by. Even though this is my fourth year with the AtoZ Challenge, I only tested out a theme last year and liked the idea enough to do it again this year. But I try to keep a broad topic so that I have enough freedom to play with it. I am sure you are going to enjoy participating! All the best. Looking forward to keeping in touch.
Hello!
Last minute sign up for me, but checking back in with some of the blogs I’ve enjoyed in previous years, great theme, love the list you and your son put together… I think I might have to start doing this, I try and do these in my head sometimes but perhaps I should make it more real!
Mars xx