Michelle Wallace & Ubuntu

Wednesday, February 19, 2014



In honour of Michelle Wallace’s blogging birthday, she’s hosting the Ubuntu Blog Hop, which I think is a wonderful philosophy.  To use the material lifted from Michelle’s blog:

What is ubuntu? "In Africa, there is a concept known as UBUNTU – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others." – Nelson Mandela.

With everything we do in life, our efforts are somehow combined with those of others. If we write, we need critique partners or beta readers. If we run into problems, we have close friends whose advice we trust. Even when we go shopping, there are times we take a friend because we need a second opinion or don’t trust our judgment 100%.

I’ve been hinting that I plan to move in a new direction in a short time and since making my decision on January 20, I’ve been putting my ducks in a row, so to speak.  In thinking about what I planned to write today, the concept of Ubuntu seems fitting.

During my exploration in the last month, I have come across a number of people who have been more than willing to share their expertise. Each time I meet a hurdle, by reaching out, I find someone with more experience than I have and it never ceases to amaze me how willing people are to help another person who has a need. In my latest crisis (which I can’t talk about until it has resolved), I’ve been talking to a lawyer who I know through my job. In speaking to him about the challenge I now have, he’s going above and beyond and, by coincidence, practices in the area in which I’m having the problem.

I try to bring the same attitude to my writing, in that I help others if I can or whenever I’m asked. When I started writing fiction, many writers who had a better grip of the craft helped me by critiquing my work and offering advice. I will be forever grateful for those persons.

I’m also grateful to Michelle for giving me a chance to think about these things. I thank God for the gifts and graces He’s given me, but I don’t always think about those who enrich my life by just their presence. Michelle is one of those people. She’s a wonderful pal, who can always be counted on to support others, and exemplifies the theme around which she’s based her celebration.

Happy blogging anniversary, Michelle. Here’s to Ubuntu and many more years of blogging on your part.

Visit the other hoppers here

34 comments:

  1. Aren't you thrilled when you discover how giving others are and can be? It just makes you want to do more whenever and wherever you can. I am so glad that you have met someone to help you get over this hurdle. Hang in there!

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    1. So true, Robin and thanks for your encouragement.

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  2. That we all have something to give to others is a blessing. Sorry your new direction requires a lawyer, but that's great you have someone helping you.

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    1. Thanks, Alex. You're a source of blessing to many.

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  3. Fascinating! I'd never heard what "Ubuntu" meant--I have a geeky hubby, and as far as I knew before, it was a program he put on his laptop so he wouldn't have to run Windows. LOL What a great blog hop idea. The writing community is definitely a good place to practice and experience supporting each other. Hugs to you, and I hope you resolve your dilemma soon! Good for you, putting those ducks in a row. Go forth!

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I guess we're prone to capturing words and using them to describe whatever else we're doing that they seem to fit.

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  4. Thank you for this wonderful post Joy!
    Ubuntu: I am because of you. It's that simple. It asks us to open our hearts and to share.
    Our writing community is overflowing with Ubuntu!
    I hope that the crisis isn't too serious and that the lawyer can resolve it as quickly as possible...
    Thank you for reaching out across cyberspace to join in the spirit of Ubuntu.

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    1. No worries, Michelle. As long as it's something you're doing, I'm in. :)
      I have learned so much from writers, I wouldn't know where to start if I were to start talking about all the ways in which I've been helped.

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    2. Hey Joy...
      In the spirit of Ubuntu, just popping in again to share a quote: "“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”
      ― Herman Melville

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  5. Hello Joy. What a lovely post. It sounds like you're going through a somewhat hard time and i hope it's resolved shortly. You have captured the spirit of Ubuntu very well. Let's continue in the Ubuntu spirit long after this bloghop is finished.

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  6. A giving heart is a wonderful thing to have and experience. I'm glad you have received so much support Joy and I know you are a truly giving person.

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  7. Ah, honey, look at you finding some peace and love!!

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  8. We all need each other, even the loners amongst us. Well timed support is like another spine. It can help you walk strong when you want to crumble in a heap. Great post Joy. I do hope everything works out for you. X

    shahwhahrton.com

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  9. Hi Joy - it's interesting how coincidences keep arising from the thoughts and ideas we get through in my case blogging, yours doing much more - I can only wish you all the best with your new direction, but also resolving your present hurdle ... just glad the lawyer is doing their best for you.

    Michelle's Ubuntu blog-hop is taking many directions for those of us participating - I always love seeing where others lead me ... all the very best - Hilary

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  10. Hi Joy .. thanks for your comment - just clear up .. I used the format A-Z for Mandela in December ... post is here: http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/mandela-using-a-z-format.html

    So my A-Z in April will have a different theme ... cheers H

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  11. what a beautiful post! and thank you for reminding me about michelle's blogoversary!

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  12. I love the the concept of ubuntu! I know that I couldn't have done what I did without the help of you and many others in the blogging community. We really can't do it all by ourselves, we all need help from time to time and all of us can offer help, too.

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  13. Michelle is great. She is one of so many people I've come across through the blogging world who have been such a positive force when I needed some strength. And, it feels great when I can help in return. Great post, Joy and I wish you success in your new adventure. (:

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  14. This is the second post I've read about people sharing their expert advice today, and I'm so thankful yours is positive and shows how nice it is, when people are so willing to help you. So many people only want to be of service, and if that means offering a bit of advice or expertise, I think it's great they take the time to do so. Thanks. I truly enjoyed reading this today :)

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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  15. Agreed, Denise. May the spirit of giving and sharing continue.

    Sheena, thanks! Givers make the world a better place.

    Tammy, hugs.

    Thanks much, Shah. I'm sure things will work out.

    Hilary, yes, it's amazing the way our minds work and the directions our thoughts take from the same subject.

    Thanks for coming by, Tara.

    So true, Bish. All of us have something of value to offer each other.

    Thanks, Elise. Michelle is indeed a special gem.

    M.J., life is a puzzling journey, but the people I've met and will meet make it special. and worth living.

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  16. I love this blog hop! You're such a warm and generous person Joy -- I hope everything works out well for you!

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  17. It's amazing how the right people will appear in our life when we make a decision.

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  18. This is a wonderful idea for a bloghop and it's good that you have someone to help you with legal advice Joy. It's sad that we need legal help, but it's tricky if you don't have help. All the best to you.

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  19. I totally agree with you. I've enjoyed reading some of the posts from this hop, and they all were inspiring.

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  20. You have such a positive outlook that will help in whatever you're going through. It sounds like you have really embraced the spirit of Ubuntu, and you're also right about Michelle! Wishing you all the best.

    Julie

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  21. I think sometimes that when things fall into place the way they seem to be for you (despite the hurdles) it's really meant to be. :)

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  22. Yourpost reinforces my belief, that many writers and bloggers live ubuntu everyday, even though they may not have heard of that particular word. I'm so glad that you are experiencing it, and hope that the new direction is going to be very rewarding for you.

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  23. HERE! HERE!

    You are so right, Joy... People are wonderful in our community and always willing to help if they have the time!

    And Michelle is one of those in our community who does help others and is always there with an encouraging word.

    Here's to her blogoversary and to Ubuntu... May we all continue to grow in our journeys.

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  24. There are so many people out there who specialize in an area that many of us occasionally need advice about--law, medicine, computers... I think it makes them feel good to be able to help, even if they aren't being paid for it. Of course, they have to be cautious about that, especially if they work for themselves, but it shows how generous people can be when given the opportunity.

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  25. New subscriber/follower from the #atozchallenge. Sister minion from another mother (AJ's Hooligans).

    What a wonderful tribute, both to your friend, to those who have helped you along the way and to the Ubuntu concept. I look forward to rocking the AtoZ with you!

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  26. Yes, Jemi, this hop was a great one. Thanks for your kind words.

    Diane, so true!

    Thanks, Maurice, I need to make some contact today.

    Holly, that's right. Never ceases to amaze me.

    Carol, I still have yet to read some. Have to get on that. Work has me crazy-busy.


    Julie, thanks for stopping in. I think without looking at the positive side of things, we'd be sunk in depression.

    Trisha, agreed.

    We are indeed a good bunch of people, Damaria. Everything is on course and going well. Thanks.

    Michael, for real and Michelle is the best.

    Stephanie, I think people are aware that when they give apart from feeling good, their generosity eventually comes back to them somewhere down the road.

    LuAnn, thanks for coming by. Looking foward to the A-Z too.

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  27. What an inspiring blog hop. I sure hope whatever you're going through gets resolved in your favor very soon. I'm sorry you're experiencing a challenge right now, though :-(

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    1. Life is like that, Susan. I hope to have a fix soon too.

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