2/15/2015 update: Thanks to everyone who has left comments and entered my giveaway. I’m delighted to announce the the winner – Janet Hovde. I’ll be in touch Janet about getting the package to you.
I’m excited as today is Grow Your Blog – a virtual meet and greet blog party and chance to meet new folks hosted by Vicki Boster at 2 Bags Full.
And the question being asked is: Who am I, and why do I blog?
I’m Deborah Weber, and I’m a Messenger, a Creative, and a Joy Ambassador with a deep interest in exploring the everyday sacred. Hafiz said “an awake heart is like a sky that pours light” and I aspire to live that way as fully as I am able.
I blog because I like sharing. I always seem to prefer a meandering path so if you walk along with me I can’t promise exactly what I’ll be stopping to look at. But I’m happy to share my explorations and inspirations; my curiosities and my reflections.
I like a lot of things, one of them being abecedariums. And I like the idea of introducing myself to new visitors (a hopefully revealing a thing or two to current friends) by creating an abecedarium about myself.
A is for Anagrams. I love words and anagramming them makes for double the pleasure. For example my name anagrams into Wore Herb Bead or Hoard Bee Brew both of which amuse me because they actually represent things I’m interested in. I DO make and wear herbal beads and I am a honey lover.
B is for Bee. Deborah means Bee. How can I not love Bees and honor their medicine when it’s what I’m about?
C is for Color. My artist self delights in rainbows of colors; my spiritual self likes exploring the vibration signature of colors; and all of me likes choosing a color to dance deeply with each year. This year I’ve got Celadon Jade guiding me.
D is for Druzy. I’m enchanted by the glittery effect of tiny little crystals on the surface of some rocks. The world needs more sparkly magic and I think we should celebrate it wherever we see it.
E is for Essences of the flower variety. I’m a flower essence practitioner and I get to enjoy the vibrational gifts of flowers every single day. How lucky am I?!
F is for Feet. I often write messages on the soles of my feet with henna. I love knowing I’m leaving secret messages wherever I step.
G is for Glass. I’m particularly fond of crackle glass, Depression glass, and moonglow, and I love glass containers lined up on windowsills where the light can pour through them.
H is for Hats. I wear a lot of them – both literally and metaphorically. My mother was a milliner and I come by love of chapeaux honestly. But I’m also multi-passionate and proudly wear the hats of intuitive, illuminary, messenger, artist, writer, aromatherapist and flower essence practitioner to name just a few.
I is for INFJ. According to the Myers-Briggs assessment my primary mode of living is focused internally, where I take things in mainly via intuition. My secondary mode is external, where I deal with things according to how I feel about them, or how they fit with my personal value system.
J is for Joy. My life is very abundantly blessed in all sorts of ways. But what’s most important to me, and the seeds I most want to continue to replant and grow and harvest again are Joy and Love. These are the kinds of things that aren’t really tangible crops to harvest out of Mother Earth, but rather seeds to plant in the fertile ground of one’s heart.
K is for Kaizen. I love this concept of “good change” often understood to be small incremental steps done continuously that lead to substantial improvement. Slow and steady keeps momentum going.
L is for La Luna. Mama Moon and I have a strong relationship and I pay attention to her nightly changes. I am most definitely an intentional traveler through the natural cycles and rhythms of this world.
M is for Matryoshka. I am inordinately fond of these charming little nesting dolls. And I think they’re a wonderful metaphor for all kinds of things.
N is for Neology. The term for use of a new word or expression or using an established word in a new of different sense. I’m fascinated by language changes and I love making up my own words.
O is for Origami. Being a hardcore paperphile it’s no surprise that I love playing with paper. I bind books, I roll paper beads, and I love origami.
P is for Proverbs. I love proverbs and adages and am always on the search for ones I haven’t heard. My current favorite: “A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.”
Q is for Questions. My mind is endlessly curious and forever offering questions for me to explore.
R is for Red Shoes. I whole-heartedly believe life is better when lived in red shoes. It’s a fact pure and simple.
S is for Scent. Scent is hugely important to me. No doubt it’s the reason I became an aromatherapist, and you’ll always find me surrounded with flowers and anointing oils.
T is for Treasures. One of the intentions I carry and one of the ways I truly want to be in this world is to be surrounded only by treasures. I think we’re powerful creator beings creating the lives we want, so why not fill it with only things that have deep meaning and delight you?
U is for Urban. I am a born and bred city girl and love my life in the large metropolitan Chicago.
V is for Valentines. One of my core beliefs is that the world needs more love letters. Lots more! And I have a soft spot for Valentines, particularly vintage ones.
W is for Watershed. I think one of the ways we can keep ourselves grounded in eco-awareness is to remember our relationship with the area we’re living in. One of the ways to do that is to know your watershed. So with that remembrance I can say I am Deborah, of the DesPlaines River-Kankakee River-Illinois River-Mississippi River-Gulf of Mexico.
X is for Xanthometer. This is an instrument used for measuring the color of sea or lake water. Although I’ve never actually seen one, I love the idea of this on so many levels. It’s magical to see how bodies of water change colors, but don’t you also wonder who invented this device and why? I’m betting it was an artist.
Y is for Yeasty. One definition of this is “full of restless energy or creativity.” I think that can be a delightful state, and it never fails to make me laugh when I consider I’m being yeasty.
Z is for Zines. I delight in creating zines (and small editions of artist books). The medium suits me perfectly – paper magic that freely allows me to express my quirkiness. What’s not to love about that?
In case you don’t have a clear picture of me yet, perhaps this will help.
There you have it. A someway lengthy peek at who I am. And now it’s your turn. I’d love to know a thing or two about you. Please leave a comment – I really do love to hear.
As part of the blog party, some of us are choosing to do a giveway. So if you leave a comment and say you’re interested, I’ll enter your name in the drawing. I’ll be sending one of my lovely little origami boxes filled with a little surprise. Who knows – perhaps some herbal beads or a piece of jewelry I’ve created, or maybe one of my zines or some other little made-by-me treasure. Be open to a happy little surprise. The winner will be announced on February 15.
Be sure to stop by Vicki Boster’s 2 Bags Full blog for a list of other bloggers playing today and have fun exploring.
What a great get to know me post for a blog. Very creative!
Thanks Sharon!
I love the idea of using letters of the alphabet to tell us about yourself!
I am a wanderer too. Blogging is such a unique platform! It’s so great to be able to share all this unique awesome stuff in our heads in such a creative way!
Thanks Sara – I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello. Blogging is wonderful fun isn’t it?!
Hello Deborah, I’m stopping by on behalf of Vicki (one of her little helpers) to welcome you to the party. I love your ABC’s, what an original way to introduce yourself, and I particularly like R – life is better in red shoes!!!
Hi Phoebe – thanks for the lovely welcome to the party! I’ll be heading my red shoes over to your place for a wave hello.
Ooooh, like this!! You like some of the same things I do, which you might not expect from my blog persona. 🙂 And your artistic rendition of yourself is very interesting…..:)
LOL – I’m pretty sure someone under the spell of The Phantom Zucchini holds a prominent spot in my heart. So glad you stopped by and said hello!
Deborah,
As if spirituality, herbs and flower essences didn’t pique my interest – red shoes sealed the deal! Just this morning as I was looking down at my red shoes I was thinking that I’ve always had a pair of red shoes in my closet or on my feet. I cant wait to read more of your blog! Susan
Oh Susan – it’s such a delight to find a member of the Red-Shoes-Are-Magic society!
That is so clever, Deborah…a very creative acrostic for sure!
Thanks Maria, and thanks for stopping by.
Hi Deborah – just popping by to say hello – you don’t need to include me in the giveaway cos I’m still enthralled with winning the last one 🙂
Red shoes definitely makes life a lot more fun – I have a special pair for the stage ..
Today has been such fun meeting lots of wonderful women around the world. Vicky did a truly lovely thing starting this Blog party.
Have a great week
Fil
Oh how fun you get you show off your red shoes on stage! And I agree, the blog party has been great fun. Kudos to Vicki and the intrepid volunteers helping out. Yay all!
Hello from Pennsylvania. What a fun hop! I love meeting new people.
Indeed – lots of fun! Thanks so much for popping by and saying hi.
I love the mindful way you share about yourself! My favorite is f for feet and the secret messages you leave 🙂
Thanks Michele. I think maybe we should change the adage “Walk softly and carrying a big stick” to walk softly and leave a sweet message. 🙂
Hi Deborah,
Nice to meet you!
Your wonderful personality shines though so vividly here!
Thanks for sharing…
Enjoy
Dixie
Thanks Dixie – I’m so glad you stopped by!
Wow Deborah a whole abecedarium about yourself! What a challenge! I have never done one about myself, maybe I will try now! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier for Grow your blog party! I will enjoy looking at your blog!
Abecedariums are fun and I’d certainly love to read one about you Rhonda! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.
Just stopping by to say hi. I’ve always been curious about channelling and that side of spiritual practice so I look forward to reading through your blog.
I appreciate you stopping by and saying hello – thanks!
I loved reading your abecedarium…I think I have spelled that correctly. What a wonderful way to learn more about you. I am following your blog now and looking forward to learning more about you.
It was such a delight finding your blog as well Kara. So glad for the connections the GYB party facilitates!
oops. I only just realized that you don’t list a way to follow your blog. I have to be honest, I never subscribe to blog emails as they just get to cumbersome. I will have to remember to check back with you because your blog is so interesting.
Actually you can follow my posts with a rss feed reader – the link is just below the email subscription form.
I loved reading your abecedarium to get to know you! Thank you for visiting my blog!
Thanks Karin – and I’m delighted you stopped by.
Hello Friend,
Glad to visit you along the blog party route, even though I didn’t have a chance to sign up this year. Always love to see what you are up to! Enjoy the party, Deborah! Aloha
While I’m sorry you didn’t get to sign up Vicki (you’ve certainly had a lot on your plate!) – I think it’s fabulous you’re traveling the blog party route anyway. Lots of fun and interesting people to chat with. And I greatly appreciate you coming by here and spreading your aloha – it always delights me.
Deborah, as always I truly enjoyed your blog post. This is the second time in just three days that I have heard the word ‘kaizen’. Very interesting. Love the meaning of it.
It’s a lovely concept isn’t it Elda?
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I took the Meyers-Briggs test many, many years ago, but I can’t for the life of me remember what my “type” was. (and I am not taking that long test again to find out!) I hadn’t heard about it for a long time, and recently I’m hearing people mention it frequently. Is it becoming a trendy thing for companies to do again?
I’m not sure it’s ever gone out of style Cathi – it’s always been a fairly popular way for people to get a rather easy-to-understand framework validating how they operate. But you’re right, I’m seeing more people find ways to tailor their online work and offers based on how it resonates with particular groups.
Wow! What a fantastic post and introduction! Thank you SO MUCH for visiting my blog and leaving such a lovely comment – I’m so pleased to have found your site and look forward to reading your wonderful posts! Hugs from Shroo:)xx
I was delighted to find you as well Shroo – yay for the GYB party and connections made.
What a wonderful read….I just loved reading all about your magical, bee loving, sparkling ways……
LOL – thanks Debbie! Always love it when you stop by.
Deborah, Your writing is always so interesting! Reminds me, I am still using a word I learned from you a while back, “eunoia”! Which can mean well mind or beautiful thinking or the goodwill cultivated between a speaker and (her) audience, etc.–ALL which I think can apply to you. Blessings!
Oh Janet – what a wonderfully kind thing to say – thank you!
Oh, I forgot . . . I’d love to be entered in your drawing.
Perfect – you’re in!
I LOVE your ABC graphic – where did you find it? Thank you for sharing so openly about you! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Stacy. The graphic is made from images I’ve licensed – lovely aren’t they? IMO birds make everything better. 🙂
Wow..I have not seen a talent such as yours! Very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway! I am visiting from GYB
LOL – thanks Cheri. I’m delighted you stopped by and said hello, and happy GYBing.
Xanthometer – I never knew this existed! When I was high up in the mountains of Montana – the waters in the lakes were this intense emerald greenish turquoise- so pure and beautiful, I’d never seen anything like it. I love that there is an instrument to measure this! See, I learn so much from your site! 🙂 Always a joy! And reading your abecedarium only further confirmed we are indeed kindred spirits! 🙂 Love the giveaway idea! 🙂
Oooh, the mountain lakes sound fabulous! I became fascinated with lake colors when a daily bus ride past Lake Michigan showed me how what a spectacular variation in colors occured. Checking out the color became a highlight of morning routine.
Hooray for abecedariums!
Indeed! And hooray for visitors. Thanks for stopping by!
How fun to meet you! I’ve enjoyed my visit. 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by!
Hi Deborah! I’m visiting from the grow your blog event–I’m in your group 🙂 Your post was really fun and so creative.
Hi Carrie – so glad you stopped by. GYB is such a fun way to meet isn’t it?
I am also a lover of all things druzy, especially drusy chrysocholla. Though I did meet a piece of drusy azurite recently that made my heart flip. All these blue minerals make me think of color-measuring device for the ocean. Every day that I look at the sea, it’s a different color — gray, green, deep blue — always reflecting the subtleties of the sky. Maybe we need a way to measure not just the color of the water, but the color of the sky and how sea and sky change together.
Turns out I love to spell druszy in multiple ways!
LOL – and all of them perfectly sparkly!
Oh I do love finding a sister druzy devotee. I’m pretty sure I’ve never met a gathering of druzy that I didn’t like. One of my fave is a bit of Rhodochrosite with a druzy vug. Makes my heart happy whenever I see it.
And yes to a sky-sea color change capturers – wouldn’t that be a fun piece of studio equipment?
What a wonderful introduction, Deborah! As a close cousin INFP, lots of your likes intrigue me. But of course, we are ALL meant to be lifelong learners 🙂
Your lovely origami boxes would be a treasure to receive; naturally I’d be fascinated if you were to share “herbal beads” 🙂
I couldn’t agree more Monique – so much to learn and so much fun to be had! I appreciate you stopping by – thanks!
Lovely to meet you Deborah – what a great way to learn more about you!
I’m visiting from England!
Hi Gill – so glad you stopped by to say hello!
What a fun post and a great way to meet you! I’m here from Ontario in Canada. Enjoy the party!!
Thanks – I’m delighted you stopped by!
Lovely blog and great giveaway ! Returning your visit via GYB ! xx
Delighted you stopped by Brenda – thanks.
Deborah,
Lovely to hear about all these things that make you tick. Especially those red shoes, oh yeah!! THanks for sharing .
Thanks Sue – all the way down to my red shoes!
What a lovely fun idea 😉
Thanks for popping by Kama.
What an interesting way to post about yourself! Visiting from GYB.
One of the things I like most about GYB is the huge variety of people playing, and so many ways to introduce ourselves. Fun! Thanks so much for stopping by Carole and saying hello!
Hi Deborah, thank you so much for visiting my blog! I had so much fun reading your introduction. Gosh, my test result was INFJ too 🙂 And I love the collage you made, so creative. Wishing you a beautiful day ~ Wendy of Apple and Apricot blogsvanwendy@live.nl
So delighted you stopped by to say hello Wendy – and it’s always fun to meet another INFJ! Wishing you a wonderful day as well.