Arindam has presented me with the Candle Lighter Award and there doesn’t appear to be specific rules or obligations other than the recognition of others whose blogs uplift and bring light to those on the path of uplifting fellow bloggers.
Some refer to this as ‘incest among our own tribes’.
I say it is the ultimate pat on the back; the appreciation by those who understand the daily struggle to work a full time job. spend time on writing projects, and post blog entries.
And sometimes in these endeavors, we run across a few people who inspire us beyond belief. They become mentors and role models and people whose tact and humor can coincide in a way that we wish to emulate. The fact that Arindam feels this way about my blog, makes me immensely proud.
But there are those whose efforts speak equally so to me.
I’ve limited myself to five in the interest of preventing an entry a mile long and to give those I’ve awarded it to an array of possibilities beyond my bestowing in which to grant their own ‘candle light’.
As someone much wiser than me once said, “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.” Peter Berenson may have coined that phrase, but John F. Kennedy brought it into our psyche, as he did many of our ‘candle light moments.’
Take a second to think about the people who have lit the way for you, and those who continue to hold a flame before you as you traverse life’s darkness. And take a moment to visit the sites of those whose efforts have illuminated my path.
Writingfeemail's Blog 
I’ll have to save this for later – I love snuggling up with a new list of blogs. 🙂
Thanks WW! And thanks for visiting. Your blog sounds intriguing and will be checking it out as well.
Wow – I’m honored to be on your list! You’re right: it is a wonderful pat on the back!
Thank you so much. I’ll start working on my post to pass this along to other bloggers.
Thanks again, and Happy New Year!
And deserved Dianna. You are always so uplifting.
Congratulations! Thank you for the links. Can’t wait to check them out.
Thank you so much.
I’m glad to get new excuses for avoiding work, too! Thanks, and congratulations on the award!
Glad to be helpful.
Wow! I don’t even know what to say! One of the nicest things anyone has said about me. Thank you! I’m truly touched!
And truly deserved.
Congrats Renee! wish you a very happy & prosperous new year. And your mention about John F. Kennedy made me really smile, as i share my birth day with him. 🙂
Two greats born on same day – different years of course.
Thank you, Renee. I appreciate your awarding me the Candle Lighter Award, even as I don’t feel all that inspirational. You’re the one who’s so inspiring to me … you completer of NaMoWriMo, working lady and mother of a new puppy!
I think we all inspire each other. You are the busiest retired person I know – as I always say!
Renee,
I cherish this award more than you can know; you see, I have been struggling a bit. Struggling with content, with whether I should continue blogging, just struggling I guess with having been an unemployed statistic for the last nine months. I was not going to write this morning, until I saw your award waiting for me, you kindled my spirit.
For this and for the award from such an amazing writer I am humbled and gladdened.
Thank you.
Jess
Jess, we all wonder sometimes and then we find that we have been valuable to someone else and it is all ok again. You seem so busy in your life I wonder where the time for more employment would come from. Keep going my friend! Good things are already on the way.
Congratulations on a well-deserved honor. And thank you, Renee, for a wonderful list of treasures to explore.
Thanks Bella.
Thank you for sharing your sweetness with us; I appreciate the kind nod and the link to other bloggers whose writing I’ve not yet explored.
Bests,
MJ
Congratulations. It’s not easy keeping up with the demands of life and also making time for ourselves and also for blogging. You’re award is well deserved and well earned. It’s a beauty. Keep up the great work. 🙂
It is difficult sometimes to fit it all in. Thanks for the kind words.
Congratulations! Your work and efforts deserve recognition. Keep those light-filled posts coming. I always enjoy reading your words!
Thank you and I enjoy yours as well.
Congratulations!
Happy 2012!
Happy New Year to you as well!