“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” — Jane Howard
There are all sorts of families – the ones that we are magically born into or become a part of; the families that we build one person, pet, ritual at a time; the families of friends that may morph and change with the understanding that these connections are in many ways as binding as any others. Within the context of this forum in which we meet and discover virtual understandings and ‘aha’ moments, we are defining a new family. I think of many people in this community who I feel I know and love as members of my family too. People who are always there to support me when I write through my neurotic moments, laugh along with my silliness, commiserate when life becomes complicated or evocative of times that are painful to recount. Friends who I fret about and delight in, inspire me with their incredible talents, and celebrate with head-shaking wonder at the magic that they create regularly.
So it is within this uniquely bound family that I find myself accepting the Family Of Bloggers Award. I love the implication of this honor, for it suggests that we are in many ways a family of choice. We are together because we choose to be, minus some of the drama and trauma that come from nuclear units that are perhaps more complicated, defined by far different memories of shared history.
David Kanigan (DavidKanigan.com) who writes the blog titled Lead.Learn.Live and Laurie Barkman who authors PassionatePerformance.wordpress.com both nominated me for this award this week. David has a following that is remarkable in both its size, intelligence and loyalty. When I started following his blog, I hoped to come close to the quality, provocative writing and thoughtful commentary that his writing reflects all the time. I still don’t know how he does it, finding references, writers, images, videos that invite and engross the reader. He is incredibly self-effacing, and he is shaking his head as he reads this not able to admit that all of this is true. But I would bet an awful lot of money (if I had it, which I don’t, so I feel good about placing the bet) that there are many, many, many who agree with my summary. I have followed him from the first day I came to WordPress and I will follow him should the time come when I no longer post..
My line of work and Laurie’s closely parallel each other. The primary and striking difference is that she manages to imbue the topic of performance management and leadership with practical wisdom and a passion that is palpable. As some of you may know from earlier posts, I have a love-hate relationship with this topic – perhaps because I’ve been training and speaking about these topics for so long. But I return to Laurie time after time because her advice is wise and practical, her commitment sincere and passionate and the results always on point and well-considered. As much as I believe that there is nothing new under the sun because of a general reluctance to deal with the discomfort of change, Laurie gently encourages me to reconsider and remember what I loved about training and development.
So, I thank them both and embrace the metaphor that I am part of their family, as they are part of mine. I’d do the Sally Fields thing, but David would tease me – even though in my head I’m thinking “you like me, you really like me!” As inspirational blogs go, I have many to nominate and feel certain that I would inadvertently miss some. Which is why I am going to nominate all the people who are kind enough to read my posts each day, comment each day and travel on the karma truck through all sorts of topography. Thank you for being part of my virtual family. Thank you for embracing me from the moment I started seven months ago and for encouraging me to keep the gas tank full and ready to roll.
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
It tickles me beyond measure to see you recognized with this award, my dear friend, because in my eyes you exemplify all the finest attributes that I associate with the word family–love, loyalty, humor, humility, unwavering support,wisdom, and discretion. Your posts warm my heart each day, sometimes challenging me to push my limits and be the better person I yearn to be, while other times admonishing me to relax, relent, and understand that we each do the best that we can in the moment, bent perhaps, but not broken. You are family in my eyes….xox
You know Lori, that you are family to me too..your heart is as big as any I’ve ever known and I am beyond fortunate that we are in so many ways that matter, related. Thank you for your high, high praise (which I don’t deserve) and your love – for which I am inestimably grateful..xox
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” — Bishop Desmond Tutu. You are my gift!!! xoxo, L
A particularly touching and tear-inducing quote to read this morning my friend..xoxox, m
Mimi, after reading the above, the best I can contribute is “ditto”. You reap what you sow my friend. So proud of you always. To the moon and back xoxoxo
Thank you Jo – and just knowing that you are reading my posts every single time, commenting and supporting me in my effort to do…? I have no idea…you are family, and will always be..xox
Well congratulations to you and yes we like you we really like you………………..this family we form in blogland is amazing and awesome and so uplifting and inspiring all at the same time………….
Yes Joanne, so true. This community provides so much – I am so lucky to be a part of it.
lovely description of family
thank you!
Speechless. Again. Full-stop.
Your ‘full-stops’ always throw me. 😉
Congratulations Mimi, I love this blogging family and look forward to each ones thoughts and shares everyday. A job well done to you my friend!
Thank you Tina..I too look to your daily posts for insights and perspectives..
Beautiful post, Mimi. Congratulations!!! I know just what you mean. I have been blown away by the family that has developed here in this corner of the blogosphere. I can’t wait to meet you in person and give you a great big hug to say congratulations and thank you for sharing your wisdom, which really helps center and ground me on a daily basis. So thank you for that!!!
You bring so much to the karma truck too Jenni!! Your perspectives, questions, photos – all delight and challenge…Thank YOU!
🙂
Mims, again, out of the ball park…really. The family, tribe, that is here, is stunning, and you are at the center of of it for me. I really like: “and travel on the karma truck through all sorts of topography” because that’s what you do so well, take us through so much variety in terrain – whether it’s heart, mind, smiles – and more. So glad to have a seat at your family table 🙂 xoxo
Oh honey, you know you’re at the table..you’re at the table, in the truck, hanging out in the kitchen…you are everywhere in my world..xoxo
As you are in mine…and that gives me joy for which I have no words…I’m just sitting at the table, with a big smile on my face. xoxo
That’s an image I will hold dear..xox
Congratulations on the award and so deserving! I too agree about having a “Blogger Family” and you nailed it when discussing how meaningful these friendships are!! And so proud to include you as part of that family!! 🙂
I love having you in the family too!!
Congratulations on a well-deserved award, Mimi!
Thank you Andrea!
Congratulations, I’m only a recent reader, but love the way you write and how you describe this amazing new adventure of the human spirit, which is what good blogging is.
Thank you Valerie – I’m so happy you’re along for the ride..and really pleased that you feel I have managed to touch that universal chord of spirit in all of us.
Congrats with award! Well deserved. I’m just feeling lucky to have found your blog Mimi, your positive and loving spirit sjines through in every post. You’re such a bright sun. Hugs (p.s note how i didn’t sign my name!) ;D haha, sorry for teasing.
You can tease me all you want – I will never mistake your name again – it is etched into my somewhat spongy brain!! Thank you for your generous and kind words Joanna – they mean a lot to me – with or without the teasing..;-)
haha, you’ve got great sense of humor Mimi. Btw, how come I’ve missed out that you have been in performance management?? So funny. I’m studying Motivational, perfomance and reward management this semester and even considering writing my thesis about it. I really like it, but while theory is one thing, anytime I hear real life case study, it is confirmed, that most managers just manage, only few truly lead. But,I find the topic really interesting. 😀
It’s a great topic, and I still consult on issues of leadership, performance management, working your way through challenging dynamics, etc…
Great point. In theory ‘leaders’ and ‘managers’ are different people. Leaders say ‘what’ needs to be done (eg: we need to get through this jungle), whereas managers work out ‘how’ (we need bulldozers and a team of loggers). In reality, the manager often covers both roles blended into one, and as well as that has to inspire the team to get the things done.
Another beautiful, touching and inspired post. Congrats on the award – I can’t think of anyone more deserving.
Yipee…!! You so righfully deserve it. And I so agree with you here…friends in virtual world are there for you always when you need to rant or simply vent…to hear, listen and love you back.
Yes it really is a great blogging ‘family’. So that makes you my sister. What is the difference between a friend and a sister? A friend is someone who knows you and loves you anyway. A sister never has to ask the question is the first place.
Congratulations on the award! I’m happy I jumpted on the Karma truck a few months ago with the rest of the passengers that comprise your blogging family; you are a great communicator!
Thank you Fran and thank you most of all for being with me on this journey. I love to think that we’re all riding along together, this blogging family of ours…
Congrats! I’m a newbie but I am enjoying your blog very much. 🙂
Thank you and welcome!! I’m so glad you’re here!!