Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun

Awards-A Blast From The Past

There was a time when giving awards to other bloggers was common place and were fun to participate in. Many bloggers may not have seen the old awards so I thought it would be fun to share. This post is not about me, it’s about blogging history.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is very-inspiring-blogger-award-3.png

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is liebster-award.png

Vincent Ehindero Blog Award

Have you noticed that some older post no longer include the image? WordPress why?

Blogger Recognition Award

The Sunshine Blogger Award

Dragon Loyalty Award

Once a Victim Now a Survivor Award

Brave Heart Award

Most Influential Blogger Award

The Creative Blogger Award

No Strings Attached Award

Treasure Trove Award

Word Press Family Award

The Disability Award

It’s a shame the images are not available anymore, some were very creative.

The awards date from 2015 to 2020, here’s to the good old days.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

I don’t have a favorite month because each month has something wonderful to offer. New Years day is a great time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments and turn my focus to apply what I’ve learned tothe new year.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s the first impression you want to give people?

I would like people to see me as a warm and welcoming person but in reality it doesn’t matter because their impression is their perception and has nothing to do with who I really am. The impression of me would also be different based on who I am meeting, say I’m meeting a religious leader, I would be humbled and taking in their presence and any lessons offered and not ask questions unless the door was open. I think the impression of me is different for everyone I met.

I am not a fluffy person and my writing is more raw and to the facts. That in itself could be taken may different way. All I can do is be who I am and hope that people will give me grace.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Travel

Sending A Special Thank You To Azerbaijan, Romania, Colombia, Malawi, Gambia, And Kyrgyzstan For Visting My Blog

I get so excited when a new country visiting my blog, it feels like I’m traveling with you. Kyrgyzstan stumped me, I had to look it up. Please cliick on the link to read about the rich history of the country.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

 

I look forward to seing you again and would love it you would leave a comment on how you found my blog.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What ChatGPT Had To Say About My Blog

It was by accident that I found myself on ChatGPT yet it presented me with the opportunity to see what it said about my blog compared to what CoPilot summed said. Some of the findings are the same but each had a little different spin. I found it interesting it could produce a list of some of my top post and pages.

✅ What the blog is

  • The blog is run by someone named MelindaLooking for the Light+2Looking for the Light+2
  • It began in 2005 under the name Defining Memories and was later relaunched / renamed to “Looking for the Light” in 2014 when the focus shifted. Looking for the Light+1
  • The blog covers health & lifestyle topics: mental health, chronic illness (including Lyme disease, immune deficiency, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder), grief and caregiving, and advocacy. Looking for the Light+1
  • Melinda describes herself as an “arm‑chair advocate” due to her own health constraints. Looking for the Light
  • The blog also touches on travel, art, world history, world religion, ancestry, education for children, global warming, and animal abuse. Looking for the Light

🎯 Why you might like it

  • If you’re interested in authentic first‑person writing about living through difficulty and finding hope/light, this blog has a strong personal voice.
  • It’s not only about positive living but also about real struggles: abuse, illness, loss, caregiving. The transparency may resonate if you’re seeking depth.
  • Because the author also addresses many interconnected topics (health, advocacy, lifestyle), it has breadth—not just one niche.
  • The tone is quite reflective, healing‑oriented, and oriented toward finding light in dark times, which seems aligned with your phrase “looking for the light”.

📝 Things to keep in mind

  • Some of the posts appear older and the blog structure may have some inconsistencies (e.g., Melinda mentions finding older posts that no longer display correctly). Looking for the Light
  • Because it covers heavier topics (abuse, illness, grief) some posts may be intense or emotionally loaded.
  • If you were looking for a blog about photographyspirituality onlyminimalism, or travel‑only, this might have extra content beyond that. So it depends on how narrowly you meant “looking for the light”.

🔍 Quick check: Is this the blog you meant?

Here are a couple of questions you might ask to confirm:

  • Is the blog lookingforthelight.blog (URL) the one you were referring to?
  • Are you looking for Melinda’s blog specifically?
  • Is your interest more in mental health & chronic illness topics, or were you referring to a different “looking for the light” blog (maybe spiritual, photography, etc.)?
  • Do you want some of the blog’s articles (links) or a summary of the best posts?

Some of the tops post & pages

About Me – “Life is the Real Thing”

May 2022 – Suicide and Chronic Health Conditions

Book / product review (child’s picture book ‘Talk’ reference in June 2022)

Mental Health Awareness / Suicide Prevention

Recipe / memoir post (July 2024 family cookbook story)

Daily Writing Prompt – What are you passionate about?

Aromalief Has Released Two New Scents of Their Pain Relief Cream

Review of Aromalief Spearmint Hemp Pain Relief Cream

Introducing VitalField’s Pineal Detox FrequenCell

What would you add about my blog? I love to hear your feedback and while you’re leaving a comment, please tell me what topics you would like read about. I would truly appreciate it. :)

Melinda

Blogging · Communicating

Are You Having This Issue With WordPress? It’s Strange.

I noticed that some of my post old and new no longer have contect when I reread them. Others have spaces in the paragraphs that give some type of error message. What’s even stranger is when I go to my blog live and search for the post, the content is there.

Some post from 2014 are fine but one from 2020 was not. Is the one the many mysteries of WordPress?

I would love to hear you feedback and if have found a work around. I don’t want to lose my content over time.

Thanks so much.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your priority tomorrow?

The priority every day is to wake up! Once I’m blessed with a new day my priorities change, from giving myself grace, being a good wife and doggy mom. As the day goes on then daily priorities take over. Most important is waking up every day and not taking the day for granted.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

You May Have Noticed I’m Back

Many of you know I never really left because if I can type with one finger, I will take a stab at writing or at least working on a post. It’s in my blood, during childhood I kept a journal and knew then writing was in me. Anyone ready is a different story.

Thank all of you who have sent me well wishes, your words not only touch my heart, they also tell me you care.

Melinda :)

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Sending a Big Thank You To Panama, Norway, Palestinian Territories, Norfork Island, Jamaica And South Africa

I get so excited when a new country visits my blog, it feels like I’m traveling with you. I had a short trip to Jamaica but we stayed at all incluive hotel and didn’t venture out. I have wanted to visit Panama for years because my Gramps was stationed at the Panama Canal after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he had good stories from being there.

I appreciate you stopping by to read my post and I hope you will visit again soon.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

 

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Music

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What would your life be like without music?

I could have a good life with or without music but I would choose music. I have memories as far back as four years old listen and dancing with my dad to Elvis and Hank Williams Sr., music has been the backdrop of my life including love songs that were shared with my boyfriends. Now there are so many genres to explore that most people can identify with one or many. My favorite music is the 70’s & 80’s however I like songs for generations that were before I was born.

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Official Music Video) 

Melinda

Looking for the Life

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun

I’m Sending A Special Thanks To Guernsey, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, & Switzerland

Thank you for visiting my blog, I appreciated it and look forward to seeing you again.

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

 

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Music

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What do you listen to while you work?

I didn’t have the opportunity to listen to music at work until I moved into a sales role. My days were spent driving to client meeting to client meeting so there was time to enjoy some tunes. I listened to some popular 90’s music but mostly CD’s of my favorite old Rock & Roll tunes.

I’m now retired and enjoy quite days unless my husband sends me a link to a song he thinks I’ll like. I’ve included a great tune by Bonnie Rait & Keb Mo.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

It’s My WordPress Anniversary

It’s exciting to recieve a reminder of the years I’ve been blogging, it’s something I love to do. My writing skills have improved over the years but what is most important is the connections made through my blog. Thank you for your support.

16 Year Anniversary Achievement

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!

You registered on WordPress.com 16 years ago.

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

My first blog on WP was called Defining Memories which I started in 2005 and closed when I started Looking for the Light. It’s been a wild ride!

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe one of your favorite moments.

I’m blessed to have so many great memories thanks to my grandparents but one funny memory was with my gramps. He took me to the levee bottoms to teach me how to park, and he brought too big trash cans with him for me to practice with. With each attempt, I would knock a trashcan over, and gramps would patiently reset the can. After an hour we called it a day, I bet he prayed I would pass my test. I did pass but not with the highest score I’m sure.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Sending A Special Thank You To Armenia, Oman, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Papua New Guinea And Iraq

I appreciate you stopping by my blog, your presence makes my day. As a child, I set the goal of traveling the world, it has not happened yet but I get a small feeling of traveling with each country that visits my blog.

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

I hope to see you again soon.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What notable things happened today?

The greatest thing happened to me this morning, I woke up! Every day I wake is a blessed day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are you passionate about?

That’s a good question because there are times when my passion changes, like learning something new. My neverending passions are photography, my houseplants, traveling, and our dogs. As I’ve aged my passions are less adventuresome but I have the greatest memories of diving, hiking, and traveling internationally.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

The tagline on my blog was Keep Moving Forward and that describes my general thought process. If we don’t move forward we stop growing and become stagnant.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

When I was much younger, having a good life meant money and material things but those things did not make my life a good one. After turning 40 years old, I realized what is most important to me. Family tops the list followed by being kind, trustworthy, follow through on commitments, and being grateful for what I have.

I have a great life now instead of a shallow one.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Who do you spend the most time with?

My husband retired in April and we see each other all day but if you count the hours I probably spend more time with the dogs. It’s not always intentional, they think I’m a snack machine and come into my office asking for them throughout the day.

Our dogs are like children and they can be clingy.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Do you have any collections?

Yes, I have several collections:

Cameras

Books

Art

Antique furniture

Antique photos

Houseplants

I have more than I can enjoy in a week. The houseplants, probably up to 35 now, take dedicated time twice a week.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Internet Good/Bad · Mental Health

My New Pathetic Spammer-Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon Whiskey
bourbonwhiskeysforsale@gmail.com
129.0.125.129

Bourbon Whiskey
bourbonwhiskeysforsale@gmail.com
129.0.125.129
buy adderall onlineshop best bourbon brand whiskey online | bourbon whiskey for sale in San Franciscobuy morphine 30mg onlineBuy authentic disposable vape carts for salebuy weed strains USA online delivery | buy marijuana for sale online deliverybuy weed strains USA online delivery | buy marijuana for sale online deliveryAfrican grey parrots for adoption in usaAfrican grey parrots for adoption in usashroom gummies for sale | shroom edibles for sale | shroom bars for sale in usabuy backpack boyz dispo for sale | buy backpack boyz weed in usaofficial cold fire juice | buy cold fire carts for sale | buy cold fire juice dispo onlinebuy weed usa | usa weed for sale | buy marijuana for sale | buy cannabis for sale | olofly youtubebuy weed usa | usa weed for sale | buy marijuana for sale | buy cannabis for salebuy weed strains USA online delivery | buy marijuana for sale online delivery | 5point labait and tackle Floridafast bikes for sale in Los Angelessurron electric bikes for sale in usaadorable Reptiles for adoption in Texasketamine for sale in usaketamine for sale in usabuy botox onlinebuy benzodiazepine onlinebuy dermal fillers onlinehuman growth hormone buy onlinebuy opioids without a prescription onlinebuy stimulants onlinebuy weight gain medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionwhat is dilaudidbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescription
buy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescriptionbuy dilaudid online without prescription/a>ketamine for sale in usabuy botox onlinebuy benzodiazepine onlinebuy dermal fillers onlinehuman growth hormone buy onlinebuy opioids without a prescription onlinebuy stimulants onlinebuy weight gain medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications onlinebuy weight loss medications online

Who would dare click on their links?

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

Without a doubt, it would be a test driver for high-end cars that go super fast. It’s not on my bucket list but is worthy. The downside is that I don’t know how to drive a standard and you won’t find those types of cars in an automatic.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Travel

Sending A Special Thank You To Poland, Honduras, Moldova, Zimbabwe, Somalia And Qatar

Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to travel with you. I have not visited your country but there’s always tomorrow.

 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What topics do you like to discuss?

Boy, do topics change at every stage in life. A few topics that get me engaged are art, travel, and gardening.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

At 40 years old and divorced, I took a chance on getting married again. I felt strongly that he was the one who would stay until the end. 22 years later, we’re going strong and closer than ever. No regrets for me.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Croatia’s Slended Giant Easter Egg Tradition-The Connection of Eggs And Bunnies With Celebrating Easter By Guest Blogger Croatia, the War, and the Future

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Keep Looking For The Prize In The Cracker Jack Box

sitting on

I appreciate you, every comment is a rainbow to me. Keep searching for what is below the surface, be honest and keep the eye on the prize.

Have a great week.

Melinda