
(c) Mary Lou Q
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My theme for the A to Z Blog Challenge @AprilA2Z during the month of April is ~ My Life Is My Masterpiece ~ Lessons Learned. For 26 Days (with Sundays off) I’ll be posting a word that begins with each letter of the alphabet, and that fits my journey and lessons learned along the way. My About Page gives me the focus. It’s going to be fun, and challenging! I hope you’ll stick with me as I strive to meet my goal!!
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ARRIVAL ~ I’ve arrived at a place where looking back on the good and the bad along the way brings me a sense of peace and contentment. I recognize the girl, daughter, sister, woman, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend who traveled down these paths to be a strong human being who had her own sense of self always at the core of her life. A human being who decided to face life’s challenges with an attitude of hope and perseverance. It’s good to look back and to see that you’ve arrived at a good place in spite of those times of self-doubt and wavering.
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As you grow older
You become wiser
You mature and realize your potential
The greatest gift of time, however, is that you discover your true inner strength and beauty which was
always within you but hidden before.
Look back on your life as the story of you.
Look forward to new adventures.
You’ve worked hard and prepared the way for some of the best days of your life.-Doe Zantamata
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“These folks, it appears, found a way to use hardship, pain, and loss creatively. They have made of their lives works of art, they have found ways to become themselves, to achieve wholeness.” David Goff ~ Arrival
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![A2Z-BADGE_[2016]](https://meinthemiddlewrites.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/a2z-badge_2016.jpg?w=151&h=151)
Blogger Users can also follow me at atozchallenge2016.blogspot.com
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* Note: My letter sketches were made from ideas I found on Google Images. *
Hello Mary Lou, Thanks to you I know of this A-Z Challenge. I see that you have been succesfully busy in giving your blog an appealing look. Hopefully I will find the time and motivation to continue this challenge. Even if I do not succeed, I will have stepped a few mice steps and that’s ok for me. See you.
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Thanks for visiting! I’ll stop by your blog too! 🙂 You’re right! Just by trying this challenge we’re learning something new. 🙂
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Great post. Seems we are kindred spirits. I enjoy your point of view.Wishing you a fun journey n the A to Z Challenge.
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Thanks Donna! Looks like you’ve got a great theme for AtoZ too! 🙂
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I love the idea you are going with, and I look forward to seeing what else you come up with this month.
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Thanks! It really was rewarding to work on this Challenge. 🙂
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Love the Masterpiece/simultaneous WIP idea. Hope you have a great month!
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I do too! We might have a period of “arrival” and then we’re still a work-in-progress. 🙂
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Great start to the challenge, Mary Lou! You have indeed arrived!
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Thanks, Nancy! Day two ….. we have 24 more ahead of us. 🙂
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One is always learning, my Grams told me when I was young. You never stop learning. When you do, you’re dead.
While reading I was reminded of her and read more!
Thank you, Dearie 🌹 for reminding me: she’s still here 🍀🐰
Sir Leprechaunrabbit
@leprchaunrabbit
yourrootsareshowingdearie.wordpress.com
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Wise Grams! When you think you know it all, you stop growing! 🙂
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Sometimes, like Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, incomplete is the way it’s meant to be…
John Holton
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound of One Hand Typing
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True! Spoken like a true lover of Music, John! 🙂
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Arrived indeed… I too have “arrived” looking back on where I’ve been and excited for the adventures ahead.
http://www.MerrieHansen.com
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Nice! It’s a good place to be! 🙂
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What a great start! and i Love the meme! I’m going to hit the 50th milestone this year, maybe I’ll arrive then. 😉 Good luck on the challenge! We’re doing “I’ve Got The Music In Me” this year on The Road We’ve Shared. – looking at how important music is in the Down syndrome community. I hope you’ll stop by and see/hear! http://theroadweveshared.com/category/a-to-z-blogging-challenge-2016
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I did stop by, Stephanie! Wonderful work! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
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It’s a good thing to have arrived at a place one feels comfortable. So A like Arriving is a great start for this challenge!
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I agree! Thanks so much for visiting my blog! 🙂
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Love those words, yes it is all hidden inside, all we need is little time to discover it!!!
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Thank you, Priya! It’s all part of believing in yourself and being grateful! 🙂
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We do arrive to continue the journey of those who’ve gone before. Lovely thoughts here today. Thank you.
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Thanks! I like that ……. ‘continue the journey of those who’ve gone before’. ❤
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Loved your sketch and the words Mary Lou… I look forward to getting to the place you are at. Working my way though the self-doubt slowly. 🙂
Happy A to Z!
@freya3377 from Life as Freya
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It’s been a long journey of growing and learning! Happy A to Z to you too! 🙂
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These are such positive words. I really relate to them. Good luck for the A to Z Challenge
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Thanks for the encouraging words! Enjoy blogging through the AprilAtoZ! 🙂
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Stopping by from the Blogging from A to Z Challenge thread. I like your theme. It’s very true. We all need to grow, to be the work in progress. But that shouldn’t detract from the person we are right now! That’s the best person we can be at this time. Good luck with the Challenge.
Robin Rivera
From WriteOnSisters
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Yes! Being content in the here and now while still being open to learn and grow. Thanks! 🙂
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It is nice to look back on life – the challenges and the easy rides with peace and contentment. All the relationships long gone, and ones continuing, all the experiences. It’s good. Lovely post, Mary Lou and I wish you happy inspiration through the rest of the alphabet.
Peace, contentment and inspiration,
Mary
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Did we know we were signing onto something this challenging, Mary! 😀 I really enjoying it! Not sure I could do more than one month. 😉
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slightly off topic – whenever I come across the kid with the meme, I am wondering how this all started, and how old is he now 😉
great post , good luck on the challenge!
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Me too! He become instant celebrity! I’d love to know more about him. 🙂 ❤
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Loved your post and look forward to more…
BellyBytes from
Mumbai On A High
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Thanks so much! Good to have you following! 🙂
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great start- love it – Can’t wait to see what else you get in to @Daisy from
Daisyinthe willows
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Thanks, Daisy! Great to have you along for AtoZ! 🙂
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Good choice for the letter “A.” I’ve been feeling like I’ve arrived [finally] to where I’m supposed to be. Thanks for making me aware of that with your words and images.
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Thanks Ally Bean! Might as well enjoy those times when we feel we’ve arrived! Life’s a journey! 🙂
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Lovely choice of words
All the Best for A-Z Challenge 🙂
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Thank you, DeeDee! Great to be a part of AtoZ! 🙂
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It seems like “arriving” at this place should be so much easier than it is. I’m not sure I’ll ever really get there, but I keep striving! Looking forward to reading more! Amy Morris-Jones
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I agree, Amy! It’s an on-going journey! 🙂
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I love your take on arrival. I can identify with some of it. I think as we go through stages of life there is a sense of arrival in each one. I, too, am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. I love your artwork! I like the idea of being a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time. 🙂
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Yes …… I like the masterpiece/work-in-progress meme too! We don’t stop learning and growing! 🙂
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A nice blog indeed. I would like to travel throughout my life. So, that I always keep learning, arriving as a new person every day, with a bit more knowledge than yesterday.
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That’s it! It’s a journey and we never truly ‘arrive’. We’re learning along the way. 🙂
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Encouraging post. I find myself currently struggling to accept my age, I needed this today. THank you.
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So glad you found it helpful! Thank you! 🙂
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Nearly ready to embark on empty nest ‘arrival’ in my home. It’s imminent. Makes more time for blogging though 🙂
Stephanie Finnell from
@Randallbychance
Katy Trail Creations
Stephanies Stuff
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Empty nest ‘arrival’ is tough! Yet it pushes us to begin trying new things to fill the spaces. 🙂
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I don’t think I’ve “arrived” yet at a point of peace and contentment, but I like the idea that I am who I am today because of all my life’s experiences – both good and bad.
I do however look back on some experiences with regret and wish that I knew then what I know now.
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Me too! ….. on both life’s experiences and wishing I knew then what I know now. Thanks for sharing, Joanne! 🙂
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It’s a good place to be! What a great beginning for April 1st. I’m looking forward to joining you in your journey 💛
Thinks … Can we call it a journey since we have already arrived ? 😉
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Still a work in progress ….. so still a journey! Thanks Val! 🙂
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Great start, ML. You truly have ‘arrived’ at a good place. Now into a higher gear. Arthur
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Thanks for your support, Arthur! Keep on blogging and writing! ❤ 🙂
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Arrival…I like that. Enjoyed reading it
I’m still in my departure mode 🙂
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Haha! Sometimes I feel that way too! It’s all part of the ride! Your blog is so real and I share memories of some of your travels. 🙂
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Thank you. I can’t wait for your next post 🙂 B
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I’m finding that midlife has given me the blessing of feeling that I’ve arrived too – finally my authentic self (that ties in with my first post for the a to z) Lovely that we’re on the same journey! Leanne from
cresting the hill
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Thank you Leanne! I’ve just started following your AtoZ. Great theme! 🙂
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Hey Mary , Arrival thats deep 🙂 And i loved the doodle of A you did. Even i doodle, thinking of ways to incorporate in the future posts …some homework to be done on that.
I loved the doodle idea. !!! Also loved this quote “You are allowed to be both a Masterpiece and a Work in Progress”
@sneha_sasi from
Life As a Potpourri
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That’s great! Looking forward to seeing some of your doodles. 🙂
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I completely empathize with (and love) your first sentence ‘I’ve arrived at a place where looking back on the good and the bad along the way brings me a sense of peace and contentment.’ Now I just hope I can hold on to it 🙂 Excellent start to the challenge and look forward to more
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It’s all about life, Dahlia …….. the good and the bad! Thanks for following! 🙂
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Awesome!!
Best Wishes,
Annette
My A2Z @ Annette’s Place | Follow Me On Twitter
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Thanks, Annette! Your A post is great! Listening to the band now! 🙂
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Thanks Mary Lou!
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Bonne journée, bises.
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Bonjour a vous, Carole!
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“You are allowed to be both a Masterpiece and a Work in Progress, simultaneously” … priceless. Most people recognize their current challenges but forget their many successes. Yup, that’s me, all over.
Sue Hernandez
WordPress Blogs: writing and A to Z Challenge
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Me too, Susan! That’s why this blogging has been such a great experience! Enjoy AtoZ! 🙂
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True this .As we grow older we get wiser ;(
I never want to grow up but then this is a truth so dealing with it positively gonna help me 🙂
Good luck @dixita011 from
Cafenined words
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We’re all headed in the same direction so we might as well enjoy the ride! 😉
See you on Twitter! @qmarylou_q
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