Grace Buchanan Audiobooks — Let's Build Bridges Together — renovating

Thank you Ron of The End Zone for honoring me with a Liebster Award. In his blog, he writes about insurance. He recommends “Notable and Inspirational Videos”. He also writes romantic song lyrics. Such a versatile man.

Procedure for responding to a Liebster Award

You can retain the award, even if you don’t accept it.

1. Accept the award by creating a post that recommends a few new blogs that have few followers. This helps to promote the blogs.
2. Answer a question that was posed by the person who nominated you (see below). This helps your readers get to know you better.
3. Write a question for your nominees to answer. This helps your readers get to know your nominees better.
4. Add a link to the blog of the person who nominated you, in recognition of the honor. This lets the readers of the nominating blogger know that you accepted your award, and helps to promote the blogger who nominated you.
5. Have fun with it.

Congratulations to my fellow Liebster Award nominees and friends Maggie Wilson, Stephanie, and JMGajda.

1. Blog Recommendations

Social Commentary

I met Sydney Majoko of The Truth Shall Set You Free through an international online coursera.org writing course, and felt kinship as I watched him bring his head and heart to the public eye. Now his blog gives me a view that I really appreciate: he literally sees the world upside down from me, being on the other side of the world in South Africa. I am fascinated by his commentaries on news stories, and his storytelling style. Besides, he was my first follower. 🙂

Mental Health

Sydney’s new blog Battle of My Life shares important, compassionate stories about people experiencing mental health issues. Each stirring story gives its readers an intimate glimpse into the experience of mental illness.

Illicit By Nature has a way with words that hook into my heart, as I look on with admiration. Her words are bold as she writes about her day-to-day struggles and victories with mental health.

Soul Food

I am always glad to receive notification that jamesneed published a new post at his Welcome to our MindMedicine blog!. Each one is a simple meditation that balances me.

Each LisaRosier “Daily Haiku on Being” accompanies an equally stunning photograph.

Heart and Brain Food

Leni Spooner at All Things Moocable got me blogging. She rescued me from my frustrating attempts to expand the blog that I started at tumblr (as a statistics Coursera MOOC assignment). She is one of my favorite advocates for MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

2. Nominator’s Question to Me

“If you inherited a lot of money or won the lottery and never had to worry about money or work again, how would that change your life, and what would you like to do that is different?”

My sweetheart is the best friend I have ever had, so I would use the money to give us more time to be together.

My kids, siblings, and closest friends are financially independent (fulfilling their dreams), so I would put aside some secretly as an emergency fund for them, in case they ever need it.

Prison Reform

When I was in college, I discovered a certain idea living in my mind, and it continues to wait for a time when it can grow out to the sunlight.

If I had enough money, I would start a program for the largest “correctional” system that I could afford. Each facility would be designed and renovated by a team of engineers and technicians who are the leading edge of resource conservation.

Joan Baez often sings, “There but for fortune go you and I” in my mind. This facility is a pleasant place of healing, not punishment. Prisoners earn the ability to care for themselves and each other through various occupations, not because this saves money on Operations or teaches compliance, but because of the very simple, clear principles and standards that explain the consequences of constructive behavior. Personnel and residents at all levels meet regularly to discuss ways to give more meaningful guidance and opportunities for responsibility to each of the residents. Not everyone would be released, but everyone has opportunities every day to work toward increasing their freedom. Each prisoner who is released has experienced gradual transition to life outside in such a gentle way that they have minimal culture shock. The support system and structured routine do not suddenly collapse. The likelihood of recidivism is wonderfully low because each person and their supportive network have become confident in their ability to set and work toward goals.

Lawyers, judges, juries, and people who testify, take on a different view of the felon and their own roles in the criminal justice process: they are sending the person to a place of caring, not fear.

3. My Question for my Liebster Award Nominees to answer

“At my new correctional facility, meals are nourishing and appealing. What is your favorite nourishment?”

Thank you, Ron, for nominating me, and prompting me to think about how to accept a Liebster Award.