As I reflected last week, 2014 was quite the year for me. While certainly full of extreme ups and downs, I managed to keep this blog going and wrote through some exhilarating and debilitating times.
I went through my posts, photos and videos for the year and pulled out the ones that stood out most for me. As you’ll see below, some months were heavier than others. What will you find in these posts? Emotion, adventure, inspiration, perspective and plenty of love, to name a few things. If you’re new here or missed a few posts, I hope you will take some time to click around and read. Happy New Year!
January 2014
Six Lessons I Learned While Pledging to Donate Every Month ~ This article was published on GOOD, one of my favorite do-gooder communities.
February 2014
5 Vlogging Tips for Beginners (Video) ~ I’m a big dork in this video, but hopefully the tips are helpful!
March 2014
#WaterAidNica Video Diary: Day 1 in Bilwi, Nicaragua ~ A video diary I recorded after my first day in Nicaragua with WaterAid America.
Philanthropy Friday: Generosity Has No Language Barrier ~ I will never forget Exilia, a little girl I met in Nicaragua who showed me the meaning of pana pana (or mutual support).
Transportation in Nicaragua: Planes, Push-Cars and Pickup Trucks ~ Traveling to, from and within Nicaragua was quite the adventure and showed me how lucky we are to have something as simple as paved roads in our life.
The video below shares some of the sights and sounds I recorded in Nicaragua and just might end with a pig scratching its butt on the post of a house.
http://youtu.be/mgLpEUGiG1s
April 2014
On Blood Moons, Divorce, and Ultimate Happiness ~ Where I talk about filing for divorce and you make me cry with your comments.
May 2014
Zooming ~ A post about a one mile “fun run” in the pouring rain with my boys and how it reminded me that sometimes all the zooming we do makes us slow down and appreciate the things we zoom for.
June 2014
My Q&A with everdayhero + Perspective from a Cabbie ~ I answered questions about my experience with nonprofits on the everydayhero blog and shared some perspective I received from a cabbie in Washington DC.
I may be biased, but the following video (from Biz’s preschool graduation) is the best version of “Let it Go” I’ve heard yet.
http://youtu.be/d-M-qG4akPs
July 2014
I was in the summer issue of Impact with Simplicity and Savings ezine talking about my monthly giving.
Taking the jump ~ How my son’s friend made me think about how our fears can control our thoughts and actions (or inaction) in life.
Packing Up ~ A post in the midst of packing up my big old house and navigating my divorce, realizing there is happiness all around me, despite all the chaos.
August 2014
A Good Attitude ~ I’m lucky to have one smart 9-year-old to remind me that a good attitude is key and a dude in a dress to tell me I’m pretty.
I wrote GEEKING OUT ON GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT: Five surprises from a day with PSI for the PSI Impact blog after spending an amazing day in Washington DC with the nonprofit organization.
Split ~ The post where I wrote about the emotional roller coaster that is making a divorce final (and you make me cry again with your comments – comments I have yet to even respond to because of the emotion).
Stopping for Fun and Gratitude ~ Because there is always time for fun and gratitude is good for the soul.
The Other Side ~ The selling of my big old house signified my official move to The Other Side, where I could begin reclaiming my life.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs, Bacon Vinaigrette…must be International Bacon Day ~ How could I not re-visit a post with such great bacon recipes?
September 2014
Killing Kindergarten ~ It was a rough transition, but Biz finally walked into kindergarten and killed it.
Philanthropy Friday: More Than Volunteering ~ When giving your time also nourishes your soul and helps you heal.
Maine’s Big F**king Indian (Vlog) ~ Ever hear of the Big F**king Indian? I vlogged about it.
Bathroom Humor ~ Because taking your 5-year-old boy into the women’s restroom is always an adventure.
The Storylines of Our Life ~ Have you ever stopped to think about the purpose of those people that are around you at the most difficult times of your life? They are there for a reason. But you have to be open-minded and vulnerable enough to notice and understand.
October 2014
The Juxtaposition of Dapple ~ A short, but sweet post inspired by a photo shoot with Tamara (Like Camera) that involved traipsing around a state park, finding the right light in the right sky, granola, gorgeous foliage, and a very nice man named Mike. And dapple, of course.
Words ~ Oh, how powerful they can be.
November 2014
SOCIALGOOD: Reflecting on the #AYASummit ~ My first post as a contributor to World Moms Blog, reflecting on the amazing #AYASummit in Washington DC.
Bacon, Selflessness and an Open Air Workout ~ Yes, they are all related.
Philanthropy Friday: Shop With a Conscience Today ~ Published on Black Friday, this post includes my continually updated Gifts That Give Back list (also found on this page) so you can shop more consciously.
December 2014
The Long Night: The Harsh Truth About Sex Trafficking in the US ~ A post I wrote as part of the Global Team of 200 on a documentary I highly recommend watching, as it will leave you wanting to do more to fight human trafficking in our backyard (and, yes, it is in our backyard).
2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me ~ It’s been quite the year, and I shared 70 things I’ve enjoyed or endured in 2014.
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