Awards

Versatile Blogger Award – June 2012

First, I want to say that I am very grateful to Hermelynda at http://inspiredthoughtinspiredaction.com as well as Marie Wetmore at http://mariewetmore.com for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award.

Hermelynda’s blog “Inspired Thought, Inspired Action” is truly a place to go for a slice of inspiration. Her blog blends her spiritual reflections on her own life with reflections on how each of us may find peace and love. Marie Wetmore is a personal coach who provides concrete positive examples of actions we can all take to move forward towards our life goals. Please visit each of their blogs.

I am also very appreciative to Michele for re-nominating me for “The Sunshine Award”. Michele has a great blog at http://michelewhitney.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/the-sunshine-award/ where she shares inspiration and well crafted posts. She is truly award winning!

Here are the rules to the awards: Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them when you create a post on the award. Share 7 things about yourself. Pass the award on to 15 people you know who have blogs that you follow and enjoy. Contact those people that you have nominated. More on the Versatile Blog Award http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com

7 things about me: (Andrew Gilbert)

1. I have an incredible wife who is an artist/ muralist (http://www.insideemilyshead.com/) who is also an outstanding member of the community. I love her deeply.

2. I feel that the most important role that I have in my life is being a parent. I prioritize spending time with my children when I am not working.

3. I grew up in Berkeley California, went to school U.C. Davis and the Ohio State University. I now live in San Diego CA.

4. As an occupational therapist, I feel that it is vitally important for children to be able to move as a part of the school day. There are multiple methods of incorporating movement during instruction. I have created a program to teach handwriting / penmanship to Kindergarten students (see http://occupationaltherapystrategies.com/ and http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19411243.2011.629554#preview)

5. I would rather Surf than blog. If I have a limited time to myself, I would rather be in the water versus typing on a keyboard.

6. My favorite color is blue, however my favorite color to wear is black.

7. I have both a “very serious” and a very silly work personality. I wish I could be silly all the time, but that would not be appropriate.

15 Blogs nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award

I am amazed at how many good blogs there are “Wordpress”. I know that there are more than 15 blogs out there who are deserving of the “Versatile Blogger” award. Two of the blogs that I read regularly http://saymberblondi.wordpress.com and http://thebettermanprojects.wordpress.com
 are already on Jay’s list.

I wish that I could include everyone on my list of 15. However, like Jay Rando, I choose to list those blogs that I have been following for a longer period of time.

My 15 nominated and most favorite blogs are:

1. http://aleafinspringtime.wordpress.com/ – Sharon
2. http://healthdemystified.wordpress.com
3. http://wholisticme.com – Aurora
4. http://leadingwithtrust.com – Randy Conley
5. Have a Dream – http://jamesdez.wordpress.com/ – Michael
6. http://mariewetmore.com – Marie Wetmore
7. http://thetruthwarrior.wordpress.com –
8. http://lovestronglivenowlaughoften.wordpress.com
9. http://350orbust.com
10. http://holisticwords.wordpress.com – Andrea Elliot
11. http://jwnajarian.wordpress.com – On Purpose Magazine
12. http://michelewhitney.wordpress.com
13. http://letsspreadcompassion.wordpress.com/
14. http://goalhabits.com
15. http://emilybryantphd.com (I miss your posts)

Thank you all for visiting!

One Lovely Blog Award – May, 2012

I am greatly appreciative to Aurora at http://wholisticme.com/ for the nomination for the “One Lovely Blog Award”. Aurora always has some great words of wisdom for health and happiness! Thank you Aurora!

The “One Lovely Blog Award” has similar rules to many blogging awards.

1. Give generous thanks to the blogger that nominated you
2. Write Seven things about your self
3. Make a list of 15 bloggers you admire and let them know how awesome they are! These folks are the next round of honorees for the “One Lovely Blog Award”

Thank you again Aurora, and keep the good writing flowing.

Seven Things about myself:

1)    I prefer a simple fairly predictable routine. Most of my weekdays include exercise, breakfast with the family, work, dinner, family time and some time left over for myself. It may not be a “novel worthy” story, but I am enjoying myself.

2)    I believe that at work you can have fun and be silly and still get the job accomplished.

3)    I am an avid podcast enthusiast. My favorite two podcasts are “Radiolab” and “This American Life”.

4)    I have more time for books on tape then reading.

5)    Our family has a lovely garden that provides us a sense of refuge in an urban environment.

6)    I feel that my most important aspiration in life is to be a good father.

7)    I have been a “blogger” for only six months and I am very appreciative for the experience so far.

Now, for the bloggers that I admire:

The following 15 people are listed in random order. I am very appreciative for the writing and ideas expressed in each of these blogs. Additionally, I am grateful for the comments and support that I have received from these great people. Please visit their blogs and give them a shout “Hello”.

1. Hanna Goss at “Goss Coaching”
2. Karen Wan at “Writing Your Destiny”
3. Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko at “A Kiss of Bliss”
4. David Kanigan at Lead. Learn. Live
5. Sandy Seeber at her self-titled site
6. Lem Usita at “Identity Specialist”
7. Marcy C. King at Orples// How Orples came to be
8. Jay the Baker at “Positive Cookie Attitudes”
9. Renee at Positive Boomer
10. Erin at Bella Bleue Healing, Health and Inspiration
11. Randy Conley from “Leading with Trust”
12. Coach Sue at “The Courage to Adventure Blog”
13. Jay Rando
14. Curie Rose at “Based on a True Story”
15. Saymber at http://saymberblondi.wordpress.com/

Thank you to Aurora and to all the wonderful bloggers here at WordPress!

I am very grateful to“Simply Charming” for the nomination for the “Sunshine Award”. I love how this awards was presented to me. Thank you for the fun and the appreciation.

 The Rules: *made to be broken*

1. Include the award Logo(s) in a post or in your blog.
2. Answer 10 question about your self.
3. Nominate 10 to 12 other fabulous bloggers.
4. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blog, letting them know about the award.
5. Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

The Questions: (and answers from a man of few words)

1. .    What is your Favorite color?  Blue
2. .    What is your favorite animal? Dog
3. .    What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?   Coffee
4. .    Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter?  Facebook, if I absolutely had to choose.
5. .    What’s your passion?  Supporting students with special needs.
6. .    What’s your Favourite pattern?  Mandelbrot sets
7. .    Do you prefer giving or getting presents?  Giving
8. .    What’s your favourite number?  Seven
9. .    Favourite day of the week?  Saturday
10. .    Favorite flower…
Jasmine

Now it is time to give “props” to some awesome bloggers. And the nominations for the “Sunshine Blogger Award” are.

1. http://henriksenlearning.wordpress.com/
2. http://saymberblondi.wordpress.com/
3. http://orples.wordpress.com/
4. http://akissofbliss.wordpress.com/
5. http://momentumofjoy.wordpress.com/
6. http://currierose.wordpress.com/
7. http://adammaikkula.wordpress.com/
8. Http://couragetoadventurecoaching.com
9. http://outsideair.wordpress.com/
10. http://thelifeofjwo.wordpress.com/

I hope that you all enjoy the fun and appreciation of the sunshine award! You have all brought me more sunlight (he said going for the most obvious of cliche’s).

7 X 7 Link Award ( Nominated 3-26-12)

http://orples.wordpress.com/ for the nomination of the 7 X 7 Link award. Marcy has been very encouraging of “Influence Versus Control” and she always provides great comments. Marcy’s site includes great information about her children’s books as well as some cool photography.

And now, the rules for the 7 X 7 Link Award

1. Give thanks and acknowledgements to the blogger who nominated you for this award
2. List 7 of your previous links in the following categories. Most Helpful, Most Popular, Most Beautiful Piece, Most Controversial, Most Surprisingly Successful, Most Underrated, Most Pride Worthy)
3. List 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers for this award.

Here are my SEVEN Links:

1.) Most Helpful – Setting Personal Goals

2.) Most Popular – Personal Responsibility

3.) Most Beautiful Piece – People First!

4.) Most Controversial – Identity

5.) Most Surprisingly Successful – Being Sick

6.) Most Underrated – Find Your Passion!

7) Most Pride Worthy – Scripting For Emotional Success

SEVEN things about myself (Andrew Gilbert)

1. The most important thing to me is being a good father. I prioritize spending time with my children as much as possible.
2. My wife, Emily Dolton, is an inspiring member of the local community and she does much as she can to address the needs of people with special needs. She is also an amazing artist/ muralist (http://www.insideemilyshead.com/)
3. I have a child that has “special needs”. I definitely feel that his needs do not define him and are just an attribute (see People First blog). The love that I have learned from this “little guy” and overcoming his early health obstacles have been the main inspiration for changing my overall life outlook from “totally cynical” to a “recovering cynic”.
4. As a “recovering cynic”, I admit that I am not perfect. I have not “been to the mountain top”, but I have seen postcards. I practice every day to be more positive and collect more data to reinforce a more optimistic worldview.
5. As a school based occupational therapist, I have collaborated on two programs that utilize movement as an instructional strategy. One of these programs was demonstrated to improve vision skills, the other was demonstrated to improve handwriting / penmanship for Kindergarten students. I feel that movement is vital for all of us and that movement is a vital instructional strategy.  (http://occupationaltherapystrategies.com/)
6. I love to surf. It helps clear my brain and it is great exercise!
7. When the surf is blown out  or too small, I like mountain biking.

For this award, I did my best to “spread the love around”. There are some great bloggers that I follow I want to acknowledge Jay Rondo for the Versatile Blogging nomination and “a kiss of bliss” for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. Thanks again to Marcy King at http://orples.wordpress.com/ for the nomination of the 7 X 7 Link award!

The SEVEN nominated bloggers for the 7 X 7 Link Award are:

1. http://davidkanigan.com/ – For positive words and art.
2. http://positivecookieattitudes.wordpress.com – More than just positive baking advice. Consistent positive blogging action!
3. http://identityspecialist.net/ – Total honest, in your face blogging action!
4. http://gyatoday.wordpress.com/ – This blog reminds us that it is always better to give than receive.
5. http://everythingvnothing.wordpress.com/ – This blog provides consistent inspiration.
6. http://momentumofjoy.wordpress.com/ – The name says it all. This blog keeps the joy moving.
7. http://currierose.wordpress.com/ – A wonderful spirit! I love the whimsy and honesty.

Thank you very much for stopping by “Influence Versus Control”. Please stop by and say “Hello” to the great bloggers listed in this award.

Very Inspiring Blogger Award 3-22-12

An enormous THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko from “akissofbliss” at akissofbliss.wordpress.com for nominating me for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I am very appreciative for “akissofbliss” and the steady flow of positive messages! The blog “akissofbliss” has been awarded with multiple blogging awards! Please stop by “akissofbliss” for a daily dose of encouragement and inspiration!

Here are seven things about me.

1. My wife and kids are the most important things in my life.
2. I am an occupational therapist by trade and I enjoy supporting the needs of students that receive special education services.
3. I have created a program that uses full body movements to teach handwriting skills to Kindergarten students.
4. I love to surf every weekend I can.
5. When I can’t surf, I like to mountain bike.
6.  I appreciate a good cup of coffee!
7.  I live in San Diego California.

My seven nominations for Very Inspiring Blogger Are…..

1. http://jayrando.wordpress.com/ – Jay offers good advice. Thank you Jay for your comments and support.
2. http://goss-coaching.com/ – Great personal coaching advice!
3. http://saymberblondi.wordpress.com/ – Honest, passionate and encouraging posts!
4. http://emilybryantphd.com/ – “The Counselor Muses” – Good advice based on sound clinical experience.
5. http://raisondetre2012.wordpress.com – Giving all readers a “reason to live”
6. http://leadingwithtrust.com/ – Very well written leadership blog.
7. http://writingyourdestiny.com/ – Another blogger with the mission to bring joy to the world.

Rules for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”:

1.Thank the person who nominated you.

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Pass the award to 7 nominees

I admit that it was challenging to keep the list at seven. There are many blogs that I follow that are deserving of awards! Some already have received awards.

I want to thank the entire blogging community and to everyone who has visited “Influence Versus Control”.

All the best,

Andrew Gilbert

Versatile Blogger Award – (Nominated 3-8-12)

Thanks and appreciation goes to Jay Rando http://jayrando.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award.

I am very grateful for this award. Thank you for the encouragement to keep writing. Thanks to all of you who have been reading “Influence Versus Control”. I am glad to be a part of the blogging community.

Here are the rules to the awards: Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them when you create a post on the award. Share 7 things about yourself. Pass the award on to 15 people you know who have blogs that you follow and enjoy. Contact those people that you have nominated.

More on the Versatile Blog Award http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com

7 things about me: (Andrew Gilbert)

1. I have an incredible wife who is an artist/ muralist (http://www.insideemilyshead.com/)
2. I am a proud father of Connor who has started writing a book at 8 years old (http://hillsideelementary.wordpress.com/)
3. I am a proud father of Aidan, who had probably taught me the most about love and whose early struggles in life facilitated my “cynical recovery”.
4. As an occupational therapist, I have created a program to teach handwriting / penmanship to Kindergarten students (see http://occupationaltherapystrategies.com/ and http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19411243.2011.629554#preview)
5. I love surfing
6. I enjoy mountain biking
7. I play guitar, bass and a little bit of drums

When creating this list, I realize that I have defined myself by what I do. However, from my blog postings I feel that it may appear evident that I am doing my best to replace previous cynical thought processes with appreciative, forward thinking, thankful, compassionate and grateful practices.

15 Blogs nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award

I am amazed at how many good blogs there are “Wordpress”. I know that there are more than 15 blogs out there who are deserving of the “Versatile Blogger” award. Two of the blogs that I read regularly http://saymberblondi.wordpress.com and  http://thebettermanprojects.wordpress.com
 are already on Jay’s list.

I wish that I could include everyone on my list of 15. However, like Jay Rando, I choose to list those blogs that I have been following for a longer period of time.

My 15 nominated and most favorite blogs are:

1. http://jessicacoleman330.wordpress.com/ – My first “follower”. This is a gratitude blog from a good friend.
2. http://onlyartblog.wordpress.com/ -Great art!
3. http://goalhabits.com – Good advice for self improvement
4. http://bellableue.com/ – Healing Health and Inspiration
5. http://mikepoliquin.com/ – Mr. P’s math blog
6. http://journey2enlighten.wordpress.com – A “Journey to Enlighten”
7. http://pamjackson9189.wordpress.com/ – “Inner Peace Transformations”
8. http://isleofbooks.wordpress.com – A great source of good literature
9. http://thejourn3y.com – A description of one’s Journey to be the best they can be.
10. http://orples.wordpress.com – Author of a children’s book with good life lessons
11. http://iamnotdefined.wordpress.com – Great perspective and advice
12. http://mazeaday.wordpress.com/ – Great quotes and awesome mazes!
13. http://jamesdez.wordpress.com/ – “Have a Dream” – A very positive guy.
14. http://henriksenlearning.wordpress.com/ – “It’s All About Learning” This is a great blog for educators.
15. http://photobotos.com/ a lot of amazing photos

Thank you to all of you!

-Andrew Gilbert