Stars Change the World

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Harriet Tubman, African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War.

We are nearing the end of a remarkable year – 2012 – and are in the month that commemorates the giving spirit.   It is a time of thanks and celebration.Thank you to the blogging community for your generous support and thoughtful consideration.  With every post and every comment, I identified a unifying spirit that prevailed within our midst.  We seek to be a positive force for good in our world.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have received several nominations for the prestigious Blog of the Year 2012.  I am truly honoured and delighted to accept, especially since these nominating bloggers are on the fast-track to building legendary brands.  They each have spent incalculable amounts of time and effort to produce extraordinary blogs with creative and thought-provoking content.  Best of all, they know how to inspire and build a community.  These bloggers are motivated, focused and determined to succeed.  I applaud their endeavours, and marvel at their tenacity.

My thanks go to my friend, Crazy Train to Tinky Town for my First Star nomination.

Crazy Train to Tinky Town is about packing your bags for what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.  I encourage everyone to tag along.  One day, her story will be made into a movie.

My thanks go to my friend, SageDoyle for my Second Star nomination.

SageDoyle is a poet and a writer of contemporary fiction. Highlights include his Saturday posts on “Fay”, his “Romantic Monday” poetry, and “The Journal of Wall Grimm.”  He feeds the soul – I always leave refreshed.

My thanks go to my friend, Maxima for my Third Star nomination.

Stefan is a renaissance man. His talents and gifts are many and varied.  He is a writer, poet, literary critic, journalist, musician, photographer and videographer.   His pen flows with brilliant colours.

My thanks go to my friend, The World of Alexander the Great, for my Fourth Star nomination.

Maarit-Johanna is a scholar, philosopher, writer, and historian.  Her ability to distil complex ideas into clear and understandable terms continues to astound me.  Above all, she is a brilliant educator.

My thanks go to my friend, Another Day In Paradise, for my Fifth Star nomination.

Another Day In Paradise is a remarkable travel blog that allows me to live vicariously in the most beautiful locations in the world.  You never know where you will be – South Africa or Florida – until you drop by for a visit.  One visit is never enough – you’ll be back for more sunshine.

My thanks go to my friend, Simple.Interesting, for my Sixth Star nomination.

Cristi searches the world for music, reflections, photography, and video and brings it together in a multi-disciplinary blog.  His posts are full of timely and relevant information.  His new Facebook page adds to the depth and breadth of his influence.

There are two other fellow bloggers that honoured me with this nomination.   Their blogs add to the brightness of the blogosphere heavens.  They are the stars!!!

Seyi Sandra David is a prolific writer from birth, who is not afraid to tackle the difficult discussions.  Smart, savvy and totally engaged with life, Seyi Sandra David motivates her readers to pursue their goals with passion.

Carolyn at ABC of Spirit Talk brings harmony and balance to our world. She embraces life with passion and elegance, joy and hope, kindness and forgiveness.  When she is not blogging, she graces ballrooms with her love of dance, music and movement.

One last thought on awards before going to the rules.

In my travels throughout the blogging community, I have concluded that the posts that draw the most “likes” and comments are the “Award” posts.  After these posts, there appears to be a “bump” in followers.  My conclusion is that awards build our communities and circles of influence through introductions.  What better way to form new friendships.

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1. Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

3. Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/   and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4. Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5. You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6. As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

There are many blogs that have become my “stars.”  I look forward to our ongoing journey…

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

ABC of Sprit Talk

Alistair’s Blog

Andy: Photographer, Traveler & Chef

Angies Grapevine

AnElephantCant

Another Day In Paradise

AshiAkira’s Blog

Berry556

Blessed with a Star on the Forehead

Brian Gaynor Photography

Brissiemaz

Cindy Knoke

Crazy Train To Tinky Town

Cristian Mihai

David Wakefield

Dear Kitty.Some Blog

Everlasting Love of Flowers

Fly Away Home Book

Fragments

From “curiosita” to

Grishmanphotography

Henrietta’s Hippo

History of the Ancient World

Hoof Beats and Foot Prints

Il Mio Giornale di Bordo

JGBurdette

Leaping Tracks

Life Through the Kitchen Window

Literature and Culture

Lizzie Joy’s Photos

Lost Creek Publishing

Maxima

PJBrez Photography

Palestine Rose

Postcards From Budapest

SageDoyle

SeyisandraDavid

Silkannthreades

Simple.Interesting

The World of Alexander the Great

Travelling Marla

Tuttacronaca

Vicky Nanjappa

Welcome Company

Yoshimi-Paris Photography