Inspiring Woman Inspiring Women #1

Recently I was asked to tell about women that inspire me.  The first person that I thought of was my mom.  This was for so many reasons.  Her strength, resilience and beautifully creative spirit.  Her courage to dream big and use her gifts.  So much.  After writing a bit about my mom, my mind went to so many of the women I've come to know through the blog world.  Women runners, writers, artists and mothers.  So many of you have inspired me in some way and I feel like my life is richer since I've "known" you.  I'm inspired by the stories you share, the windows into your life that you tell with your words and photographs, and the big and small accomplishments I read about.  I'm inspired by those of you that come back from injury and hold true to your passion for running.  I'm inspired by the many mothers that train, set goals and work hard to be their best self so that they can not only fulfill their dreams and be true to themselves but so that they can be a model of strength for their children. So much inspiration from you!  Women bloggers who are sharing their life, reflections, thoughts, and lessons with other women (and men).

When I was teaching, one of the things I used to do at least once a week was to take time to write a few sentences or a short paragraph about my students. I wouldn't get to the whole class at once.  In fact, it was usually five or six students at a time. I'd write to them on a sticky note and put it in their writer's notebook or desk.  It didn't take long but it went a LONG way.  And it was so easy because they were words from my heart.  I wrote things that I noticed about them or things I was proud of them for.  Sometimes I told them how much I liked their work or that I noticed something they did that they thought went unnoticed.  I knew that these notes were of value because when I would read their notebooks, I could see that they saved their notes in little collections.  Sometimes they would save them in the back of their desks or pencil cases but I rarely saw one thrown away.

This got me thinking of how nice it is to hear from those that value you.  It is nice to hear how you've inspired or influenced someone.  Or even just to know that someone appreciates you for something you do.  This gave me the idea to devote a few posts to some of YOU...The Women Bloggers that inspire me or touch my life in some way. It might be that I simply love seeing your photographs or that your blog is a good place to go if I need a laugh or a smile.

The purpose of this is to KEEP IT SIMPLE but MEANINGFUL.  Just a short "NOTE" to let people know that they are making an impact...that they are inspiring others.  I'd love it if you'd join me in this...feel free to grab the picture above and list a few women that INSPIRE YOU!

There are too many inspirational women bloggers out there for me to possibly be able to decide who to start with so...
1.   I started by making a list.  
2.  Then I cut the names up and put them in a hat.  
3.  I will randomly be drawing 4-6 women at a time so that it is SIMPLE.  Just as I did when I wrote notes to my students.  
4.  Please know that if you don't see yourself on this first list that it means nothing more than your name wasn't one of the first to be drawn.  
5.  This is a great way to share inspiration with you and hope that some of you decide to grab the picture at the top or bottom and play along so you can share your inspirational women with us!  Even if it is just their name and link.  

Meg

Meg is the one on the right. And I'm sure she would hate that I'm drawing attention to her.  Sorry Meg, you're just that special!  Your fault for inspiring me.  

Meg is one of the first women runners that I came to know when I started my running blog.  She inspires me on so many levels.  Her spirit shines through in all she does and What a BEAUTIFUL spirit it is!  She inspires me with the way she is as a kindergarten teacher, a grandma, a wife, and a runner.  I always come away from her posts feeling a sense of peace and more love for myself, the world, and those around me.  She also inspires me to see the JOY in running, the words of a child, and the relationships in my life.  Thank you for inspiring me Meg!

Shannon

I'm actually fairly new to Shannon's blog but just from what I have seen so far, Shannon is a kindred spirit.  Every one of her posts inspire me to live deeply, freely, and creatively.  Her most recent post was a reminder to slow down and really savor this wonderful and amazing life.  I'm so thankful that I found Shannon's blog.  I am looking forward to getting to know her on a more personal level as I continue to read her posts.  Thank you for inspiring me to get in touch with my creative spirit Shannon!

Briana

When I first found Briana's blog, I was instantly hooked.  I felt like I had discovered such a precious and amazing person to read about.  Over the past year, I have come to look forward to reading about Briana's life but also getting a window into her world and way of seeing her life through her BEAUTIFUL and inspiring photography.  Her life is full of color, a style unique to her (and that I love), and a passion for living.  Briana is a talented runner but isn't currently training for anything because she is expecting her first child!  I am so very happy for her!!  She will make an extraordinary mother!  Thank you for sharing your life with me Briana!

Nicole

When Nicole called me on the phone not too many months ago and explained that she had heard about my blog and thought we'd be good running partners, I didn't know what to think. I am Amanda and I run alone, right?  Ha!  I was hesitant to let my guard down and I didn't know what to think.  I had no idea that she would come to be such a dear friend to me.  Nicole is a beautiful soul.  Resilient, strong, sensitive, and DRIVEN.  She is loyal and real.  And she wears her  heart on her sleeve.  It didn't take long for me to let my guard down with Nicole and realize what a positive influence she would have on me.  She inspires me to believe in myself, not be afraid to put myself in pain, and embrace the beautiful woman that I am.  Thank you Nicole.  You are so gifted and I know you will go far!  You inspire many.

Char

Char has come to be a blog friend that I have learned from and been inspired by in several ways.  Char shares her life as a runner, a mother, and a wife and her stories teach me about dedication, love for family, being true to your passions, and being a loyal mother and friend.  Char has followed a path of doing what she loves and using her gifts to create some amazing uniforms and outfits for all kinds of sports teams, dancers, etc.  She also has some crazy awesome baking skills...at least form the look and sound of her cupcakes.  My mouth is watering just thinking of them.  Her love for her sons inspires me on such a deep level.  She is obviously there for them always...through the good and bad.  Thank you for being a blog friend Char.  I learn from and am inspired by you!

This is only the beginning of these Inspiring Woman Inspiring Women posts.  This was fun for me to do and by drawing random people out of my "Inspiring Women Hat", it made it so easy.  Otherwise, I would have way too hard of a time deciding on who to write a little paragraph about first.

So, here's my invitation to you to join me!  Grab this picture and link up (until I figure out how to create a button...anybody??)  and choose a few women bloggers that have inspired you and that you are willing to share with US!  Even posting a picture, or just a sentence about these inspiring women in your life...easy, meaningful, AND the rest of us get to meet new and inspiring women in the blog world. Let me know if you do it so that I can link you on my next IWIW post!

Amanda