The Blog

The Blogger – Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift.  He is also one of the most sought after speakers and business consultants in the country.  He has spoken at the request of four different U.S. presidents.  Once homeless, he is living proof that dreams do come true.

A Post We Luv – After spending 15 years with the Andrews family, Andy’s Dalmatian recently passed away.  In I Loved Lucy, he shares  just how much this beloved pet meant to him, and how there will never be another who is better – because “Lucy was the best”.  Grab your tissues!

Leo Babauta has put together quite a resource for readers everywhere who are interested in achieving their goals, improve productivity, staying organized, eliminating debt, eating healthy…gosh there’s so much more!

Zen Habits is based on how Leo lives his life and believes that to achieve our goals we must first practice good habits. Based in Guam, Leo delivers his content on a very clean and well-organized blog, which is important, of course, if your blog is about having an uncluttered life and being organized, yes?

You will find no shortcuts here because anything worth pursuing is most likely going to take time to develop good habits to achieve your goals. Take, for example, a post entitled, “14 Stress-Free Ways to Kick Weight Loss in the Butt“. Admittedly, something all of us feel from time to time, and so we all know how hard it can be to develop a routine, a state of mind to attain our goal of losing weight.

“15 Can’t-Miss Ways to Declutter Your Mind” is a good read, as well. You’re likely to find tips in this article that make you knock yourself upside your head and say, “Oh, I forgot about that!”, which testifies to the simplicity of the underlying theme of Zen Habits and that’s not to make life difficult, but an enjoyable journey.

Posts also include a quote from well-known people which I find to be a nice touch. And readers are clearly engaged with these posted as shown by the comments they leave.

As of this writing, Zen Habits has 25,100 subscribers (can you say “popular”?). Why not make yourself 25,101? ;)

1. Describe your Blog in 5 sentences or less.
My commitment with Live the Power is to help people discover the magic and the power within themselves to create their best life. Live the Power strives to provide Insights and Inspirations that make the reader think and ponder. I often write about personal development, self improvement and the wisdom from many spiritual disciplines. I believe that truth and wisdom can be found just about everywhere in this world and I am dedicated to providing that spark that helps people find the Joy and the magnificence that Life is.

2. Link to one post that describes who you are.
I have so many “favorite” posts on my site so I find it difficult to choose just one. I have posts on Joy and happiness and families. I have posts on “the Law of Attraction” and spiritual laws of success. But this post has come to my attention today so I am going to take that as a sign to link it here. It’s called “Life Assignment”. Enjoy!

3. What sets you apart from other bloggers?
I think my writing is unique and unlike most others on the Internet. I put a lot of heart and soul into Live the Power. I think it shows and I think there are people who appreciate it.

4. When and how did you first discover blogging?
My husband has had a very successful Internet marketing business. He knew I loved to write so he tried to get me to write blogs. Unfortunately I found it difficult to write on some of the blogs he wanted me to write on because I did not have a passion for the subjects. I started “Live the Power” with the “Live the Power presentation” and by giving away one of my favorite books from all time, “The Power of the Subconscious Mind”. I didn’t really think too much about having a blog but the site evolved and a blog was the next logical step. It has worked amazingly well because I have a passion and I am fulfilling a purpose. I’m enjoying the ride and I love my blog!

5. What is your one biggest pet peeve related to blogging or the Internet?
I really don’t have many things that I don’t like about blogging or the Internet. But I have found that the thing that causes me the most frustration is how there is so much I could do and learn and implement that I could be at my computer 24 hours a day if I allowed myself to do that. I find it difficult to step away at times but I often need that rejuvenation that comes from “turning off the computer”.

6. Name one plug-in, blogging widget or service that you can’t live without.
I have been resistant to putting too many widgets on my site as I love the clean look of it. There are some plug-ins that I use but I’m not sure that I couldn’t live without them. I would like to think that I could do without any that kind of stuff but of course I would be lying! The only thing that I do have a small addiction to is Mybloglog. Like many bloggers I like to check my stats (too often) and mybloglog gives a quick and easy fix for “stataholism”, even so the back office of my site actually provides the best information.

7. If you could choose anyone living or dead to write a guest post, who would it be.
That is a tough one because I have put so much of my own heart and soul into Live the Power. Even so, in the future I may consider guest bloggers, it would depend on how it evolves. But if I could just choose someone out of the blue I think I would choose Louise Hay, the founder of Hay House publishing and the author of the bestselling book “You can heal your Life”

8. How has blogging made you a better person.
Blogging has helped me find my passion. I love to write. Writing is my joy, my muse, my purpose. Blogging has allowed me an outlet for that passion and it has also allowed me to share and get feedback on that passion. Blogging has helped me find some of that power and magic that I try to help others find in my writings in my own life.

9. What are your tips for becoming a better blogger?
I have discovered that while blogging requires writing, it definitely is not just writing. I would say to get involved and meet other bloggers by posting comments, participating in carnivals, reading other peoples blogs. Also if you are going to be a blogger, be consistent! Whenever I see a blog that nobody has posted on for weeks or months or when a blogger writes a big long post apologizing for not writing (excluding vacations, everybody needs a vacation occasionally) I tend to not want to go back. If you want committed readers you have to commit yourself! Post and update your blog consistently!

10. Name one great blog that you read on a consistent basis. What makes it unique?
I read quite a few blogs (on my google reader) on a consistent basis, especially self-improvement and spirituality blogs that are like mine. I would find it hard to choose one specific one so I am going to name a blog that is on a completely different subject. This is a blog that I absolutely love. It’s called “Wool Gathering”. Every day Elizabeth Perry draws or paints something new and she posts it on her blog. They are beautiful and I completely appreciate her joy and creativity in her Art!