Words and Lions... Two of My Favorite Things

Wow. I really don't know what to say. In a way, I feel like these little blog awards are silly and I shouldn't feel as honored as I do to receive them. But because they're from people I so highly respect and who I know put time and thought into handing them out... I really am so honored. Rachel from Lessons Learned gave me this little gem (probably my favorite award yet, only because it's an award for words... and words are my favorite... kind of like smiling for Buddy the Elf). Anyway, here's how Rachel explained it.

The people given this award are encouraged to post it on their own blogs; list three things they believe are necessary for good, powerful writing (click on the lion to see Rachel's three); and then pass the award on to the five blogs they want to honour, who in turn pass it on to five others, etc etc. Let’s send a roar through the blogosphere!

So first... Thanks Rachel! I appreciate this more than I can say. And second... here are my three qualifications:

1-- Confidence. Now don't get me wrong with this one. This doesn't necessarily mean we all think we're fantastic writers. It just means, we have the confidence to put the words down and send them into cyberspace for all the world to see. Agree with me or not... but I think the act of blogging alone takes more confidence than most people I know possess.
2-- Heart. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I don't feel at least a shred of a connection with a writer's heart and soul through his or her writing, it's hard for me to keep reading. But the moment I feel that connection, I'm hooked, and I can guarantee I'll be back again and again.
3-- Truth & Conviction. I know these are really two separate things; but I believe, in writing, they are inextricably intertwined. Written words are immortal. So why write anything unless you believe it is the absolute truth. I or he or she may not agree that your words are truth; but if you're going to write them... you sure as hell better believe them to be so. And when you do, you have my respect, even if not my agreement. And at the same time, you must feel a conviction to challenge the rest of us with this truth. Otherwise, you're just wasting time, space and energy. [*footnote: this says nothing of questioning. obviously, we all question with our words, too. but i think questioning is where conviction comes in. we must be convicted to find the truth]

Okay... now that that's out of the way, here are my 5 choices for the ROAR Award:

Adam - Counting Down the Hours.
Red - Red Letter Day
Asterisk - A Blog About Nowt (which is, most definitely, not about nowt)
Anton - Deliberate Industries (more conviction in his little finger than I have in my entire being)
MJ - Goddess in the City

This was hard. Obviously, I think all of my blogpals exhibit these 3 characteristics, or I wouldn't keep reading. But the "rules" said to pick 5, and I don't think there are any bloggers I know who possess these three qualities in more abundance than these 5 people. And on top of it all, they were the first 5 friends I made here in the Land of Blog. So big thanks to you :)