- 2010 Canadian Weblog Awards
THE CANADIAN WEBLOG
AWARDS 2010
I am extremely honored, and VERY excited to announce that Graceful Agony has been nominated in THREE categories of The Canadian Weblog Awards for 2010!! HOORAY!!!
The Canadian Weblog Awards is a juried competition that showcases and recognizes excellence in Canadian Blogs, and the art of ‘blogging’. There are several categories, and come January 1st, 2011 – 3 winners will be announced for each category!!
Graceful Agony has been nominated in the following categories:
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Best New Weblog
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Health/Wellness
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Life
*You can clink of the 2010 Canadian Weblog Award Nominee Buttons in my side-bar for more information.
I have to say that on a very painful and lonely day back in January I decided to start Graceful Agony, and made my first post… I had absolutely no idea how many people would read this online journal IF ANY… I figured that the best thing I could do for myself at the time was find a way to express so many feelings that I had held inside for a very long time… I knew that there HAD to be people out there who suffered the way I do… I thought that if I could build a forum, be truthful about myself and my experiences, and find others who could identify with my less-than ordinary life than this journey wouldn’t be in vain…. and I had absolutely NO idea the impact of what I was doing…
I have had thousands upon thousands of hits on this blog since that first day – I have received hundreds of private letters and comments with messages of inspiration, struggle, strength, and determination. I have been able to create an online forum of support and of friendship…. And I hope above all I have, and will continue to spread light and awareness about living with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain.
But the true impact of all of this has been that this blog has changed my life…
YOU, my readers, have changed my life, uplifted my spirit, and have shown me that my capacity of love and friendship is far greater than I ever thought…
You have been my lifeline, my laughter, and ultimately the reason I have been able to find hope again in this crazy life.
And I want to thank you from the very core of my heart.
I hope to make all of you proud, and commit to living my life openly, honestly, and gracefully – on and off this blog – but you know what they say… It is an honor just to be nominated…
Those words are trite, and often used, but it is true…
I hope you all stick with me, and keep being a part of my journey…. I couldn’t do it without all of you.
**If you are reading this anywhere other than www.gracefulagony.wordpress.com it is because this post has been stolen. Please click on the link provided to return to the site of origin
You do make us proud! As a blogger, a woman and a friend! We are stickin with ya kiddo….cuz you make us all feel better about ourselves! YOU are amazing! xoxo
Aww.. I love you! Thank you for all the support – and the best part, your friendship. You mean the world to me Tammy.
And for what it is worth, I think you are pretty amazing yourself!
XOXO
CONGRATULATIONS, Jolene!
Wow, will you still remember us little people when you are put in charge of, I don’t know , Google? In all sincerity, you are more than worthy of these nominations. Your blog was one of the first I found when I began looking into the blogging world. You have a special way with words and always offer topics that are familiar to and touch so many of us.
Thank you,
CJ
LOL! CJ! Um.. thank you, but no, I don’t think I will be on the “Google” team anytime soon! LOL!
Writing here is now my life, and all the people I have met through this blog… I’d be lost without y’all!
Thank YOU for taking the time to read my words… and being my friend.
XOXO
I have been encouraged by your website since last winter when I had a severe flareup of myofascial pain and was told it was “fibromyalgia.” I’d never believed in the ‘f’ word; had actually told docs not to put it in my records. It hit me like ten tons of bricks. Of course themyofascial spasms i get cause trigger points and lots of pain, much much worse in winter, so that is what i’d been treated for for the past 10 yrs. Your site helped me decide hey, it doesnt matter what its called, it is indeed very real and can be grieved over and then dealt with as best we can, with all the knowledge we can obtain.
it is particularly neat to see you have won these awards because i know you won’t stop now … yesterday i was told i will likely need shoulder surgery later this year for a rotator cuff tear that’s of course complicated because of my muscle spasms / neuropathic pain. I am afraid, especially of having surgery and what i’m told is a long rehab, especially in winter when my pain is worse. I am amom of a strong willed 9 yr old boy, have a wonderful hubby and identify with yoru stories about how your honey cares for you, and i also try to continue my work as an attorney since 1993 i’ve represented people who were hurt in accidents and especially by hospital/health care related errors.
I LOVE YOUR SITE. It emanates your real ilfe situation, your balance, your struggle to reserve “spoons” and you are REAL. That is why you won, i would bet. you are a winner. you deserve this honor. Bask in it! and … thank you from another friend and admirer.
Lori,
Your comment brought tears to my eyes – and I am not really sure how to thank you. Because of Fibromyalgia being over-diagnosed (in my humble opinion), I believe it has led to much of our society disbelieving in the ‘F’ word…. And I say that without any judgment whatsoever! With terms such as “Yuppie Flu” and “Aches and Pains” becoming commonplace, it has only lessened true awareness and education about illness such as CFS, Fibromyalgia, ME, Myofascial Pain Syndrome etc… I think it is very sad actually because there are people who truly SUFFER from these illnesses, and it isn’t understood.
You are correct dear friend, it doesn’t matter what it is called… PAIN is very real.. it is debilitating, and it causes a lot of us to lose parts of our lives… My hope is that I can be a drop in the proverbial bucket, and somehow touch or help people as a result of my own experiences and struggles.
My boy is strong willed as well
and I know what a struggle this life can be some days… I take my hat off to you because I haven’t been able to work for many years now, and I am I awe of people who can live this life, have their own careers, and take care of their families at the same time. I hope to make writing my career some day.
I am sorry to hear that you may need surgery
And I know how scary that can be. I have had my fair share in the past. Please keep me updated, and I am here for you if you need a friend. It might seem overwhelming at the moment, but try to take it one step at a time…
I truly wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of so many amazing people I have met online… Your support has meant everything to me, so if I am lucky enough to win an award, I truly am doing it for all of you…
HUGS and Healing to you Lori… Thank you for your friendship.
Jolene
Congrats!!! very exciting and a wonderful choice on their part I think! you are great at expressing what so many of us are feeling – the hopelessness, the frustration, the exhaustion. but doing it in a way that makes us feel like there might be some chance out there to find understanding and maybe even some relief. I’m very glad to have be told about your blog!!
I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!! You deserve it but it does come at such a great cost! I love reading your words and I love that you have opened your heart and your life to all of us. I agree with CJ…….remember us when you run Google!!
Hugs to you sweetie!
Rosemary
Aww Thanks Rosemary.. and sorry it took mean awhile to get back to you.. I have been feeling really crummy.
I honestly don’t think I am a contender to win, considering all the amazing other blogs in my categories… but it is VERY cool anyhow.. and I’m honored…. but Google… hmmm…. I guess I would get paid a LOT more! LOL! Or should I say, I would at least GET PAID! LOL!! Just teasing! I’m never giving up Graceful Agony!
Love you sweetie…
[...] Graceful Agony I am extremely honored, and VERY excited to announce that Graceful Agony has been nominated in THREE categories of The Canadian Weblog Awards for 2010!! HOORAY!!! The Canadian Weblog Awards is a juried competition that showcases and recognizes excellence in Canadian Blogs, and the art of ‘blogging’. There are several categories, and come January 1st, 2011 – 3 winners will be announced for each category!! Read more… [...]
Congratulation Jojo!!!! I’m so proud you ((((love & hugs)))))
THANKS SWEETIE!!
And congrats to you for the recognition from the NFA! VERY COOL!
XOXO
Why don’t you look into publishing your blog like Julie did of “Julie Julia” fame. She published it first and then it became a movie. You ought to contact NFA or Kristen Thorsen at fmnetnews.com. If not just your blog and the best responses how about yours and other fibro related blogs with the best responses. You said you want to be a professional writer. Write and be an editor…do a series. With 10,000,000suffers, you have a built in audience. If you can try to make it even slightly amusing, God knows laughter helps me ignore my pain, who knows where you could go with this.
Thank you so much for your suggestions! Those are things I haven’t yet thought of, and I really appreciate the feedback!
I would ultimately love to have my writing published. I have always wanted to be a writer, but after a series of events happened when I lost my brother in 1999 I gave up writing completely. Starting this blog has been life-changing for me is so many ways… I cannot believe the amount of support and encouragement there is in this online community!
Writing has helped me deal with the pain, both physically and emotionally – and laughter helps me as well.
Again, thank you so much for this comment – You have made me look at this a little differently!
Jolene