7 link challenge plus
Posted: August 12, 2010 Filed under: Conscious Blogging | Tags: Always Well Within, Link Posts, More About Me, Writing Content 18 Comments »
Darren Rowse
I thought it would be fun to take ProBlogger’s 7 Link Challenge, walk down memory lane, and revel in the heart and soul of my blog.
The funny thing is that Darren Rowse proposed one set of 7 links in the challenge article, but then used one different link in his own rendition of the 7 links. So I’m not totally cheating by having 8 links here if I take his 7 + 1.
It’s the 9th one that makes me the rule-bender. :) Oh, then there’s the tie breakers, too. Naughty, naughty, naughty!
The 7 link challenge – my spin
1. My first blog post
The significance of my blog title
This is a short post on the origin of the title Always Well Within, and also highlights some of my core beliefs about healing. Although Always Well Within was born on April 4th, 2010, I imported a few posts from a previous blog that has since gone to blog heaven, which explains why there are earlier entries.
2. The post I enjoyed writing the most
Personal development kitten style
This post flowed with such ease! In a light-hearted way, it looked at boundaries, worry, play, and rest. The title was a magnet for cat lovers, but as one person commented, “the life lessons carried the day.”
3. A post with great discussion
101 rays of gratitude
Everyone loves positivity as you can tell from the comments. Lynn Fang copied the whole shebang creating her own list of 101 rays of gratitude. I hope you do too and, if you do, let me know about it in the comments. On the other hand, as I write this there’s a lively discussion on oil use in response to the post Is Everett Bogue right?
4. A post on another blog I wish I had written
A tie between Discovering the real Nepal and An encounter with the devil.
In Discovering the real Nepal, Raam Dev finds, “A country where the people had learned to embrace the land and respect it, where they had accepted hardship as a way of life and where the Earth had given them health and abundance in return; a place where sustainability was a way of life.”
In An encounter with the devil, Gaia Vince speaks of “the place where most of the climate change refugees from the region’s villages end up – making a pact with the devil that few will survive. “
Following Gaia and Nick (the photographer) through Africa, Asia, and now South America is like having a front row seat at the movies, affording the opportunity to observe climate change in all its manifestations. Beautiful prose, gorgeous photos, and crazy travel tales abound.
5. A post with a title I’m proud of
A waterfall of stimulation
I just love this title.
6. My most helpful post
High oxalate foods can trigger pain and inflammation
One of the all time most popular posts on this blog, this article is the first in a three-part series that elucidates the link between high oxalate foods and a whole range of painful disorders and provides information about the low oxalate diet.
7. A post I wish more people had read
Identifying food sensitivities
Food sensitivity can cause or exacerbate such a large number of disorders, but people rarely recognize the connection between food and their physical woes. I wrote this article because I feel so deeply for those who suffer from arthritis, chronic pain, and so many other conditions who may be able to find substantial relief simply by identifying food triggers. It’s not easy to pinpoint food sensitivities. I would like to rework this article and write a few more that expand upon the topic.
8. My most visited post ever
11 ways to reduce your oil use
The impetus for this post was Chris Guillebeau’s article on the huge disparity between rich and poor in Equatorial Guinea, which all boils down to oil. However, the tragedy of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico made this my most visited post. In addition to 11 handy tips for reducing your oil use, the article also contains a list of more than 70 everyday products that you might never suspect are born from oil, illustrating just how intertwined our lives are with this slick substance.
9. My most profound post
The most important lesson of my life
My special added link category, not in Darren Rowse’s original set of 7-8! The focus of this article is the play of emptiness and appearance—the very nature of reality itself and the true nature of mind. Although this might seem like a weighty subject, it resonated beautifully for many readers who generously shared in the comments section. It is also a part of the Life Lessons series at Rebooting your mind.
I know you won’t have time to peruse all these articles, but I hope some titles will entice you into a good read.
Have you taken the 7 links challenge? If not, how about it?
If you liked this article, please share the link with others. Thanks so much, Sandra
I may have to try that challenge. I’ve only done Day 1 of the other one. Will look at the links!
Hi Lisa, Let me know if you do the challenge. Would love to read your post. It’s always nice to take a moment to look back and celebrate all the positives.
Hi Sandra
I have to admit the 7 link challenge is an awesome task and I love what you’ve done here. I too echo your sentiments that “it’s always nice to take a moment to look back and celebrate all the positives.”
Thanks for sharing.
Michael
Welcome Michael,
All good things must come in 7 because your last blog post was superb: 7 Ways To Improve Your Blog Posts! Love the photo of you and child and I also love kick ass tips on writing and blogging.
Thanks for your sweet words. I hope I didn’t “murder” any of them. :) Oh goodness, I’m guilty of several of your itemized misdemeanors. (Like that last big word for example.)
Stay well and happy!
i like the idea and your links sandra :)
Thank you, Farouk!
Thank you for the link, Sandra! I’m glad you enjoyed that post. :) It was an incredible experience.
I’m only now discovering Wandering Gaia’s site and it looks incredible!
Welcome back from the trek. It would be neat for you and Gaia and Nick to connect! The wonders of cyberspace!
Dear Sandra, I thought about doing this 7-link challenge too especially since Dragos egged me on :)! But I have not yet committed – I am surprised though – you have been blogging much longer – why did you say that your site was born Aug 4th 2010? I guess you did say your older blog went to heaven. Well, welcome to your new space and I am very excited about seeing your new postings. :) !!!
Hi Farnoosh,
I hope you do take the “challenge” because I would love to see which posts you choose. :)
Ooops, thank goodness for your eagle eyes. I’m so horrible with days, months, and years. It should have said April 4th. Thank for catching that! I’ll fix it. The previous blog was only a few months old.
HI Sandra dearest,
So much goodness in this post. I am gonna take the time this weekend to read through them all. You are such a treasure trove of wisdom…How can I miss anything you write and do ?? :)
I might take up the 7 link challenge in a bit…at the moment am too into drafting and completing the newsletter which goes out tomorrow!
Much Love~
Zeenat, I would love to see what you include for the 7 link challenge. I hope you do it. It will be fun to see your first post. :) May all go smoothly with the newsletter, your regular injection of positivity for all of us!
Glad you liked this post. Your words are very flattering, but with all you have on your plate, I would hardly expect you to read it all! A big hug.
I did this challenge and it was surprisingly hard considering that my blog isn’t much older than yours! I had fun with it though.
I was especially interested in your #6 and #7 posts as I have figured out the cause of much of my health issues but a few nagging things remain. I may end up at a nutritionist next, because I expect I have some undiscovered food sensitivities.
Note from Sandra: Here’s the link:
Jennifer’s 7 link challenge
Jennifer,
Loved your 7-links. I especially enjoyed your visit to St. John’s, where I vacationed once in the
eco-tourist village. I also thought your tips on possible career traps was terrific. I appreciate your desire to help others find their true calling via life design.
Thanks for sharing your 7-links.
Good luck with your health explorations. Hope you are able to figure out those few nagging things that are left.
Ah, yes, I will do it someday! I’ve been enjoying reading other people’s and love the kitten comment you got: “the life lessons carried the day.” That’s the kind of feedback that makes blogging addictive in a good way:) I love that post too and a quick revisit shows I got in first to comment. Meow. The other titles that grab me are 101 Rays and 11 Ways. Those list posts – I thought I’d be more discerning but they do appeal:)
Re your column width. First bump up your font size so it’s a bit bigger. I think I’ll do that on my blog too. If it gets too big then decrease the colum width until your cols are less than 80 characters wide. Your readers will thank you for it (subconsciously;)
Annabel,
I hope you do! It would be fun and instructive to see which posts you highlight from your blog. I was put off by lists posts at first, but now I’m finding them fun in moderation.
Thanks for the tips on font size and column width. I want to try increasing the font size, but haven’t found the magic code yet. It might take a few days. :) I love the column width, so it will be harder to overcome my resistance there! Of course, you are right!
Really great inspiration for blog posts, and a good challenge. I am off to read a few of your posts later, I suffer from various food allergies so am interested in that article as well.
Welcome Justin,
I’m so glad this post inspired you! Would love to see your version of the 7-links. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment – it’s so encouraging. All the best to you.