Weeks ago Phylor honored me with the Candle Lighter Award.  I am honored Phylor chose me as a recipient of this award.  To say that I am a candle in her life who helps to light the way…this brings tears to my eyes.  How could anyone wish to be more?  I hope I can live up to this honor and light a candle in the darkness to help light a few paths along the way.

Kate Kresse, of Belive Anyway, originated the Candle Lighter Award to: . . . “light a candle in the darkness that envelopes us all at times. I want to lighten loads and light the way. I gravitate towards positive people and positive blogs. I want to start a blog award that reflects my love for the positive in the blogosphere.”

Kate asks little of the winner – to link back to her comments when the blog has been posted, and to, of course, if you choose, to pass the award along to anyone you feel deserves it. You can award it as many times as you like, all that Kate asks is that you link your post back to her site.

I pass this award on for the same reasons Kate started the award.  She stated, “I think people that are going through the efforts to be positive and make the world better through their efforts and blogs deserve to be recognized. I am always looking for encouragement and ‘light’.”

I have so many people who have been a light for me.  I wish I could honor each one with this award, but there are simply too many to list, at this time I do not have the energy to properly acknowledge you all.   I’ve decided to limit it to 2 recipients.  Two very special women whom I feel do not get the recognition they deserve.  Two women who have been through torment and trials and come out with a positive can-do attitude that lights the way for many others.

The First person I’d like to recognize is Fiona of The Agoraphobic Blog.  

Fiona had a horrific experience that brought about severe panic disorder with agoraphobia (according to Pub Med Health Panic disorder with agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which there are repeated attacks of intense fear and anxiety, and a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might not be available.)

Fiona, is an amazing young woman.  She is working so hard to overcome these intense fears.  I feel such inspiration when I read her posts, hearing how she made it out and about one day.  Even on her bad days, with severe migraines or a panic attack, you can still hear her positive attitude and hope.

Said said in one post, “So yes, I have agoraphobia and Panic Disorder, but it definitely does not define who I am, I have never become depressed about it, I have got frustrated a few many times and had a huge cry, got it out of my system, and then moved on again.  This is my life, I am happy with it, it sure could be a hell of a lot easier, but who has the perfect life anyway? everyone’s life is hard at some point, mine just happens to be hard to do simple things, but I AM OKAY WITH THAT!”

In another post she said something that really stuck with me.”bad days are ALWAYS followed by good ones and I always remember that and keep it in mind.”

Thank you Fiona, for not only lighting the path for others with panic disorder and agoraphobia, but for anyone who needs inspiration!

The second person I’d like to pass this award to is Kelly from Fly with Hope.

Kelly states “I became disabled in October 2005 by my Chronic Migraines and Chronic Daily Headache (more specifically New Persistent Daily Headache). I have had frequent headaches and Fibromyalgia since I was a teenager. In addition to Migraines, headaches and Fibromylagia, I have Meniere’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Tachycardia and Food & Environmental Allergies.”  To understand some of the battles she goes through read one of her most recent posts…Joy in Prison.

On her blog she shares her ” journey of learning how to manage chronic illness and hold onto Hope.”  Kelly is very involved in advocating for herself and others who have chronic illnesses.  She reaches out to people and shares this profound Hope, and deep spirituality that she has.

Her light shines through her, with every word that she writes.  She has personally been a great inspiration for me and a light to help guide my way thorough a lot of pain.