Welcome to my blog. Who would have thought that Desiree Adaway would have a blog? I have a story I would like to share. It goes a little something like this…
Have you ever had a best friend that was really smart? Not just a little smart. Not just, “I know what A2 + B2 = C2 (Pythagorean theorem) is” smart, but I am always right and you should take my advice smart?
Yeah, you see where I’m going.
I have one of those BFFs. Her name is Pam Slim. She is a seasoned coach and writer who helps frustrated employees in corporate jobs break out and start their own business. Her blog, Escape from Cubicle Nation, is one of the top career and marketing blogs on the web. She told me (only as gently and kindly as a friend of over 25 years can) that I was so ‘web 1.0.’
I was not on Facebook or Twitter, and I didn’t have a blog. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes. See, I love building community, connecting people, nurturing and mentoring them. I love to design programs that raise awareness, funds, and engage hearts and minds. I love to laugh and learn and travel. Being the smart woman she is, she may have hinted a time or two that social networking and blogging would be right up my alley.
Sigh.
She was right when she told me to start watching ’Law and Order’ in the 80′s, and she was right when she told me I was web ’1.0′ and to get myself on the Internet. So, I got the hint and did my research. I would like to publicly say she was right. I LOVE it. All of it! I love Twitter and Facebook… I love all of it. I love the people I meet, the discussions I have, the collaborations being nurtured, the partnerships being created, the laughter, the unwavering support, the learnings, the sharing. I love it all.
So, welcome to my first blog post! It was a long time in the making. I see all of you as being part of my creative posse and us using this space collaboratively to build community. To raise funds for causes that are important to us personally. To raise awareness around important issues and to engage our heads, heart and minds through action.
Life is a collaborative process and strong minds do find each other. I will introduce you to smart, innovative creative folks and hope you will do the same. I will ask that we push each other in an effort to “raise our games” to the next level– I will try and challenge your assumptions to help enrich all of our professional and personal lives and honestly to help us do good better. What do you want to learn and how can I help you learn it?
Lets build a body of work that changes the world.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Desiree, your blog is beautiful–as warm, inviting and engaging as your voice. I’m so looking forward to reading more from you!
We are indeed shaping a world in which we can create miracles through the synergy of partnership and collaboration. Many hands, many hearts, united in community can accomplish so much more than any of us alone.
I’d love to hear more about your own work; where your heart is leading you next; what you feel called to teach right now.
Love and bright blessings for your newly birthed blog,
Hiro
Thanks for my very first comment. Hopeffully it will not be the last. I am really hopping to use this forum to introduce interesting and emerging concepts around service and volunteerism. I love talking about my work so let me know when you have sometime to chat. Its one of my favorite thisng to do. We have a lot of work to do globally….I am hoping to use my site to get people excited about service and help them find appropriate opportunities to serve.
Desiree,
I’m so thrilled to see you bring more of ‘you’ to the web! Your site is beautiful, engaging, inspiring, and a great call to action to change the world — just like you.
Congratulations on your new blog and site.
I can’t wait to hear more!
All the best!
deb
Thanks for all of your well wishes and loving thoughts. When you kindly mentioned me in your blog I did not have a web page to direct folks to…but now I do! Next time I will be ready. I can only hope my blog is even 1/10th as exciting as yours.
Oh. No worries. We’ll get the word out.
And thanks for the compliment on my own, but it’s really just…a silly little thing. Yours will truly make a difference and I’m so happy to see you putting this out there.
If there’s ever any way I can help…..
All the best!
d
This is truly a wonderful blessing and encouragement me for me to complete my transition as well. No better time than now, and now is never too late, always right on time. Congratulations, a pleasure to have found you on Twitter and I look forward to growing our relationship.
May your site continue your message of hope, inspiration and yes, success!
Warm regards,
Jeanie
If I can do it…ANYONE can. 2 months ago I was being mocked because I still used hotmail! There are lots of great people who will help you along the way. Go for it!!
Yay for your beautiful vision and your beautiful new blog!
Deborah
Thanks for your beautiful blessings. I hoep you come back often and that my site add value to your journey!
Congratulations and best wishes on your journey!
Thanks for the well wishes. I cannot wait to see where it takes me.
Your blog is beautiful and YOU are beautiful. I’m excited to get to “read you” from the beginning.
Thank you, Desiree.
Thanks so much for your kind words… its been such a great time building out this site. I hope you continue to come back to check out new post in the future.
Love it mommy!!
I love YOU. Chat soon…
I’m so glad we found each other, Desiree! I love your site! Blessings to you and your great success!
I am so glad we found each other as well. I look forward to building community and learning from each other!
Hi! Saw your blog through Greg Collier/Geebo. Wanted to say thanks for writing!
It sounds like you would be interested in the work of Infinite Family (www.infinitefamily.org). Infinite Family is a global non-profit connecting mentors around the world with children challenged by HIV/AIDS and poverty in South Africa by using video technology!
I hope you’ll check us out! And read my blog, too…
http://www.infinitefamily.blogspot.com
I’ll keep checking back…
Dana
Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my first attempt at blogging. Its such a new medium for me, I appreciate your patience while find my space and voice. I will definitely check out the site you mentioned. I have worked on projects in the past that helped support Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Africa.
Hi Desiree,
Nice first post!
I think you’ve graduated to web 2.0 now. Of course you’ll have to get Pam’s opinion, and she’s pretty tough. ;]
Congratulations, blogger.
Andy
Hi Andy,
OMG…I am a blogger!
Thanks for checking out the first of many new blogs heading your way. I hope they make you laugh, smile and move you to action! I HATE when Pam Slim is right..sigh….honestly her and I may have had an I told you so moment earlier today. The worst part is she is almost always right, and I so love her for it.
Is it totally uncool to say “I told you so?”
I think not, since you have been right about every single piece of advice you have ever given me.
I am so proud of you for beginning this blog.
And I can’t wait until the rest of the world loves you as much as I do. It is just a matter of time!
Big hugs,
Your bff
You are the smartest woman I know, so you absolutely get to say “I told you so”……again!
Thanks for all of your support and for pointing me in this direction, it already feels like a comfortable sweater you just never want to take off!
Love to you,
your BFF
I look forward to your inspiring words on Facebook everyday. I’m thrilled that you’ll be writing longer posts now!
Hi Marie,
I am glad that my tweets add value to your day. I hope my blog post do the same. Together we can make magic happen!
I truly believe you were meant to tell those stories, inspire others and connect those who wish to be of service. Continued success on your new endeavor.
Thanks Mutee,
I appreciate your kind words, friendship and support. I also appreciate you being a participant in Ghana during the trip described in my blog. You saw first hand the the need in Ghana and you laughed, cried, built and worshiped with that amazing community.
You are the real hero as you made a choice to actively go out into the world and serve in partnership with a community other than your own.
I also know for a fact you returned home and shared many stories.
Thanks so much!
I can’t wait to be inspired and learn form your experiences.
Peace!
I can not wait to learn from you as well!… you have skills and passion that the world needs, and I am excited to see you shine.
Desiree
It’s a privilege to read your story. Thank you for sharing it with us. Love and light to you dear Lady!
Jen
Thanks so much to you for being a huge personal support and a lover of humanity. Together we will build a body of work that changes the world.
Desiree,
Way to go! The world needs your voice out there in EVERY way possible. I for one cannot wait to hear more of what you have to say.
Bring it!
Amy
Amy,
Thanks so much sister… I am going to PLAYBIG just like you taught me. Doing good better starts now!
Its brung,
xoxo
Desiree
Desiree,
I love your mission!! It’s my mission too. And it’s so wonderful that we now have these fabulous tools by which we can all connect–across continents even.
I’m so excited for you about your blob. Looking forward to seeing the wisdom that shows up here.
Much love to you!
Julie
Julie,
I so look forward to learning with you and from you in the future! There is strength in numbers and the more we can work together, share resources and support one anothe the more ability we will have to effect change–whether that’s for an individual or a community.
Please come back and share your thoughts and opinions. I value both!
Desiree
Desiree,
Your site/blog is awesome. I love your writing style and openness. As someone who struggles to express myself in writing – well that is – you rock.
And I am a hugh fan of Storytelling.
You know my father came from Ireland. He died about 20 years ago, but shortly after his death I was visiting my cousins in Ireland – they still own and work the family farm and a pub in a rural beautiful place where time has stopped – my cousin after the 15th guinness said, “We miss you dad”.
I thought what a funny thing to say. “yea I miss my dad too”.
“No – we really miss his story telling. He could entertain us for hours with stories of the old days”.
You know we use to tease my father here in America about his stories and roll our eyes when he would start, but in more traditional cultures where people have time to really connect, story telling is an art. And we didn’t even see my Dad’s talent until after he passed.
Keep telling your story Desiree – it is a blessing to know you.
cheers
Joe,
What a lovely tribute to your father. An inspirational story and a call to action can transform a cause. Encourage other’s to share and tell stories. That’s how we will begin to heal the world.
Be well!
Dear Desiree,
Just popped in to say your blog is SO inspiring I’m spending all of today reading every single post of yours (which is why I’m at post 1)! I’m just overwhelmed and excited at having found such an immense strength in the way you write and about the work you do. A budding changemaker myself, your life and posts just give me so much inspiration. Keep the great work going, hoping to learn a lot more from here..
God bless you!
Ash
Dear Ash,
Welcome to my little spot of the interwebz! I am so glad you like it and so appreciate your reading every post–yikes that takes commitment. I hope it resonates and moves you to act. Please let me know if I can ever be of service.
Desiree
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