Friday, May 16, 2008

Feel-Good Friday: The Physics of Encouragement

Most of us are clueless. At least that's the way we feel. We stumble around in a zone of unsureness, tripping on our own question marks. Should I? What if? What would they think? Who do I think I am? It helps to get a little encouragement now and again.

One rule of the BIG E is that it can be given to one who has already received it. There are those who collect pig figurines or Happy Meal toys or armadillo drawings (by or of I'm not sure.) I've even read of a collection of celebrity toast portraits. But today I am presenting the Excellence in Blogging Award to a person who's a collector of kudos. And blogging awards. My informants tell me he was a finalist for both a Rhodes scholarship and a Walkley, Australia's equivalent of the Pulitzer for journalism. He's authored several coffee table books of photography as well as at least two novels. His photographs never rely on gimmicky, after-the-fact photoshopping but reflect a painterly eye, one with an unerring sense of composition and color. Not surprising, since he used to be a painter. His first novel was a bestseller in India and his essays have appeared in various publications. Talk about a Renaissance Man, a Citizen of the World.

This character must be insufferable, right? I mean his next book is probably called Full of Myself. Then again, that would be too expected. And this is a fellow who loves a good plot twist as much as the rest of us. So he authors a blog featuring his exquisite photographs, his retelling of odd news events, peppered with his prodigious puns (I forgot to mention--he is a pun-meister's pun-meister), an occasional memoir, all kinds of photography tips, tips on manuscript preparation, etc. etc. Probably the most remarkable feature of his blog is Post of the Day, wherein he lists several blog posts by others which struck him, either for their excellence in writing or photography or art, or their level of honesty, or their hilarity, or their very uniqueness.

My efforts have been encouraged a few times. And yes, I've enjoyed this. But even more so, I've discovered great new blogs by following his tireless hyperlinks. My blogroll continues to swell, in part thanks to David McMahon and his authorblog. As if you didn't know whom I've been talking about!

David McMahon, the blogger who had to install atomic generators to power his site meter.

David McMahon, Encouragement Maven of the Highest Order.

David McMahon, genius in the Physics of Encouragement: pass the Encouragement on to others--they'll keep passing it--then those guys will pass it still farther. Encouragement, it's exponential. It's Einsteinian. It's a wave. It's a particle. It's a boomerang. Pass it on. It comes back.

57 comments:

Daryl said...

I am giving this presentation a standing ovation.. David deserves that E along with all sorts of other awards (including the Den Mother patch I awarded him a while back).

:-Daryl


PS Welcome back, I have missed you!

San said...

Daryl, I missed the Den Mother patch. Too bad. That's awesome!

Leau said...

I found your blog by (happy) accident and today you led me to dear David..quantum physics at it's best. Thanks for being that butterfly wing in the jungle which results in a storm of great words!! Leau in Albuquerque

San said...

Leau, such a well-put metaphor is that butterfly wing! Thank you for visiting. Please come again.

Celebration of Life said...

Welcome back, San!
I too am giving this nomination a standing ovation. Thank you for recognizing our Auzzie Friend!
Jo

San said...

Jo, I hope you're feeling better. Must be, if you're able to stand and applaud.

:-D

whimsical brainpan said...

What a wonderful tribute San.

San said...

Hey, Whim. Thanks.

Carol said...

Yes, a great tribute. Thanks for enlightening me by leading me to another artful, thoughtful blog.

murat11 said...

I see you're feeling guilty again about your long absence from Blogtopia: you come back feeling the need to give back: a classic example of overcompensation, except that in this case, Mr Dave is entirely praiseworthy. As are you for making it back safely from Sweet Home Alabama. (Heard them Skynnards this morning while driving up to skool.)

San said...

Carol, you're welcome. Enjoy!

San said...

Paschal: What? Me guilty? ;-)

Great to see you here, man.

Cath said...

I am with Daryl on the standing ovation. A worthier soul does not exist. I knew it was David you were talking about straight away but what a speech! San, you are a master of encouragement also. Despite your absence here (and you are sorely missed) you continue to visit and encourage with kind, uplifting words. And you know by instinct when that gentle *hug* is needed.

You are up there with David for me. And you have certainly told me more about David than I knew - artist eh? Both of you - humble, unaware of your impact on this world.
Thank you.

San said...

Cath, you have made my day, milady! Talk about encouragement.

A hug to you.

Lee said...

Absolutely the best! Here! Here! David is indeed worthy of glory, laud, and honor! And he's such a wonderful friend.

Well done, San! You too deserve all praise!

Joy! & Hugs!

San said...

Somehow I thought you'd approve of this award, Lee.

Joy and hugs back to you!

Velvet Ginger said...

I believe kindness and honesty has it's own rewards!
I am really happy your sweet-self is back!!!

RiverPoet said...

Oh, hear hear! I would never have met most of you if it weren't for the fact that I followed David's link from another friend's blog.

Peace - D

lime said...

he certainly is very deserving especially since his stated goal is to encourage excellence in others!

Heather said...

'll go check him out, I love a great wordsmith!

david mcmahon said...

Dear San,

My parents would be so very proud to see this glowing citation.

What else can I say, except that you have made my day. Humby (VERY humbly) can I say I was lucky to have great mentors trough my life and now it is simply my turn to try and give back ....

God bless you for your generosity.

David

San said...

Rubye Jean, you're one of the reasons I am so happy to be back.

San said...

Doris, I believe I met you through David. Don't remember the exact path of connection, but he was there along the way. Another reason to thank him.

San said...

Lime, you know all about that!

San said...

Heather, enjoy!

San said...

David, it makes my day to have made yours.

You are a uniquely fine human being.

Maggie May said...

I heartily agree with your choice, San, it is lovely to be so much encouraged by some one & David's blog seems to provide us all with so much, from silly quips and humour, ideas for posts, right through to photography and interesting articles.
I will now look out for the big E on his blog!!!!!! :-)

aims said...

Yes! Yes! Yes!

David deserves everything you say and give him. What a inspiration he is! And so unselfish! I admire him greatly and you have given him a very lovely tribute! Thank you San! You know that what goes around comes around and you deserve it as well!

Rhea said...

San, I agree with you! I've been reading David's blog for a while, and I think it's great! His funny rhyming verses and great photos are so entertaining! He's got a great sense of humor. I visit him daily. So awesome of you to reward him!

Gone Back South said...

Yeah, David is a brilliant giver of blogotional support. A positive force in the blogosphere.

Sandi McBride said...

Yes San darlin' I'm standing here applauding till my hands ache! If anyone deserves this it's David...he'l the Simon Cowell of the blogging world, we hear what Paula and Randy have to say, but Simon's opinion is the only one that counts! Kudos to you dear San for such an excellent post, which I will mention for Post of the Day!
hugs
Sandi

Unknown said...

Excellent choice!

Katney said...

How can I not agree. In fact, I think Imay have passed that same award on to him a while back. Thank you for expressing how we all feel so masterfully.

Carolyn said...

Excellent post San. Very soon after I began blogging, David acknowledged one of my posts. I was walking on Cloud 9 for a week. Just as you said, I was so unsure of what I was doing. His encouragement gave me the confidence to continue and told me that perhaps I was on the right track.

Wonderful of you to pay tribute to him. He's an amazing asset to the blogging world. Three cheers for David! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!

indicaspecies said...

San,

David's encouragement to new bloggers knows no bounds. He indeed deserves that honour, and thank you for speaking on my behalf as well.

By the way, it's only beautiful people who see beauty in others. :)

San said...

Maggie May, thanks for seconding the motion!

San said...

Aims, you are quite the encourager yourself. Thanks much.

San said...

Rhea, that new profile pic deserves an award!

San said...

GBS: "Blogotional support"-- I wish I'd come up with that! :-D

San said...

Sandi, that's a brilliant idea.

HUG.

San said...

Nick, I thought you'd concur.

San said...

Katney, I believe several people have awarded David the E. Glad to hear you have too.

Thanks for visiting me. Come again!

San said...

Carolyn, I'll chime in and make it four cheers: Hip hip hooray!

San said...

Well, Celine, that makes you most beautiful indeed.

Thank you.

Merlin's Wizard said...

Such a well deserved award.

merlins wizard

xxx

San said...

Good to see you here again, Wizard.

x

Andrea and Kim said...

An amazing blogger and an amazing artist, too!

Thanks San for reminding us and for the encouragement (to everyone), but to day to David!

San said...

Kim, you know all about encouragement. That's what your interview series is all about and you are such a faithful visitor.

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I worship at the page of Authorblog.

So happy you're back San. I was busy walking in circles over the weekend. Chewy-come-lately.

San said...

I'm not surprised we're on the same page, Chewy!

merry weather said...

You're so right about the encouragement, and David also brings people together in a Good Way! Lovely post San!

San said...

Thanks for visiting, Merry. I want to visit you now.

Woman in a Window said...

Yes, David is definitely intriguing!

Meg Wolff said...

San,
How did I miss this great post (blame it on the after surgery meds!). I guessed David! You did a wonderful job of describing him, and his work.

San said...

Woman in a Window, one question: Do you do windows?

San said...

Meg, as a certain Bard said, "All's well that ends well." I'm glad you were able to catch the post, but I'm also glad the meds did their job when they needed to.

Mima said...

What a wonderful tribute to David, and one that he justly deserves, I don't know how he manages to keep up with his posts, hold down a job and have a real life as well!