The other day, I came across a facebook post by an artist I adore, Rachel Caringella. She wrote about how there are people on social media that we follow, read their words and are deeply inspired by. It’s almost like we can feel a connectedness to them, as if we were best friends. We share common passions, feelings and thoughts. To be honest, we are like-minded-souls. We may comment or message them, but really, many of them have no idea that we even exist.
In my mind, that is perfectly okay, if it makes us happy.
I need to share out more who these amazing people are that inspire and energize me. They need to know of their healing powers. And, I just need to say thank you. Thanking them for the work that they do, for putting their words out there. They nourish both the heart and soul of others. They feed the mind. It is my obligation to say thank you.
Today, this person was Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
She posted this illustration on her twitter feed:
It knocked me out of my chair because I am supposed to be working on a project for one of my doctoral classes that is due tomorrow. I can’t get the words out that I want on to paper, so I keep revising my plan. I sheepishly peered by behind me. Was there someone watching me? Seriously?
“Who is this lady?” I asked my laptop. I had to know.
It’s pretty easy to do investigative work online. You just keep clicking on the links. It turns out, she is children’s author, illustrator, reader, Donalyn Miller fan, and even shares (for free, mind you) teacher resources for readers.
I dove into her site and tweets, marveled by her illustrations and creative work. Her words so encouraging.
Struck by her found art, I discovered her you tube video to share with my third graders this week for art workshop. Her instagram page is just too much.
I got lost in her world for over an hour.
Then, her words jumped on my screen:
Debbie Ridpath Ohi“My biggest piece of creativity advice for writers & illustrators (all ages): make time to PLAY.”
Ummmm. . . yeah. That was it. I forgot to play before digging into my work. I know this. Why can’t I remember it? It would open the flow. I know.
I pulled out my notebook, printed some images, grabbed my paper tapes (oh, how I love my paper tape), scissors, glue stick, markers and did some playing. 20 minutes later. . .
It surely was a Happiness Day for me. Thank you Debbie for inspiring me and reminding me to play. Your influence will spill over this week when I introduce you to my kids at school. And, hopefully, to others who read my words thanking you.
This week, my slices are showcasing the inspirationalists I call my friends on social media. They don’t really know me, but, I am letting them all know that what they do matters.
Who are your secret social media inspirationalists?
Shari 🙂
I’m participating in twowritingteachers March Challenge of posting a blog post every day for the month of March. While I’ve missed a few days, I’m still in it for the long haul! To check out other writers, visit here.
Islands of My Soul 
I love Donalyn! She is an inspiration to me as well. I’m glad you took time to play today!
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I too have social media life lines who do not know I exist. Every now and then I will tweet them… I’ve received a few tweets back!
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Oh, I love that you call them life lines! 🙂 Thank you for reading my post today!
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What an awesome Idea to highlight your inspirations! That notebook page looks like a ton of fun. Yeah for social media.
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This is so true! I think we all have these people who we read and follow and draw inspiration from. Maybe it’s time we let those people know just how inspiring they are to us. Great idea!
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This is great! I’m so glad you dug deeper to find out more about your inspiration and discovered even more things!
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Yes 🙂 The power of social media. Someone somewhere has a thought and a number of people elsewhere are impacted in wonderful ways. So lovely that you are honouring this “phenomenon” here.
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I love this post! I love that you are writing about all the people you draw inspiration from! I hope you share this with Debbie Ridpath Ohi. She seems so lovely and I know she will be touched by this post. (See, I say it like I know her although I just follow her on Twitter and Facebook)!
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awesome slice. A. YES to cheering on our social media inspirations! B. Donalyn Miller is fabulous C. completely digging the inspiring person AND the creativity in this slice. YAY!
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Guess who I am following now? 🙂 She sounds great! I love when professional writers share free stuff! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, wow! I love this post. I love Debbie’s work, too. She is an inspiration. What you did with the notebook is so interesting. I love it. You made me think of a person I’m friends with on Goodreads. We have such similar reading tastes that I know we’d be BFF’s. We used to live not far from each other in Georgia, but I never met her. I just followed her on Goodreads. When she didn’t like a book I loved, or vice versa, I was always taken aback. What on Earth happened? We were so sympatico most of the time. I stalk her Goodreads feed. I feel creepy. But she is the first person I thought of when you described your connection to Debbie.
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I will be checking your slices daily in order to meet more (secret) friends-to-be. My secret social media kindred spirit is Debbie Macomber. She reminds me SO MUCH of my grandmother (and best friend) who passed away six years ago. It never fails that when I need a little pick me up, Debbie Macomber will tweet the exact words I need to hear. While she is best known for her romance novels and holiday novels (that inspired Hallmark specials), my favorite are her nonfiction books. I feel like they were written with me in mind.
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Hello- there is a friend of a friend that I have a similar admiration for. She seems to share my same opinions, likes, and sarcasm. I met her once and now she is a FB friend but we don’t know each other beyond fb. Maybe it’s time I change that? Life’s too short! Thank you!
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Oh, I am looking forward to these next posts of yours. I love the example you shared today and now I can’t wait to see who’s next. 🙂
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Wow! Your post is full of great ideas! I love the way you point out how we make connections and get inspired by people through social media. I think I might be doing this, but I never thought about it. And I love what you shared about the work of Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and your inspiring notebook! I need to do more of this.
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Love the title of your blog, your header, and Debbie Ridpath Ohi. My favorite print-ready poster is the quote by Amy Dyckman – “Breathing book molecules helps you write. It’s a fact.
“Oh and just so you know, my mom could never leave dirty dishes and go to bed, but I can!
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I love this! First off, this is my first time off my phone and able to take in your actual blog, and not just rely on the WP Reader or email. It’s beautiful as I expected to be. Very artsy, well balanced, good info, spacing, coloring, imagery. Just noticing, that’s all. Now to this slice, a phenomenal idea. I often get the same feeling with whom I follow and allow to muse me. I’d have to put some serious thought as to whom I would spotlight first, probably someone from Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s hitRECord off the top of my head. Possibly him, as a collector of many of eye-catching pieces and interactive posts.
Back to your featured, I was drawn in like it was a magazine spotlight. You really gave it the star treatment and I was so impressed. By your set-up, your selected picks, and how it influenced you today. It drove your point home in a huge way. Love love love the procrastination illustration. That could easily fitI love this! First off, this is my first time off my phone and able to take in your actual blog, and not just rely on the WP Reader or email. It’s beautiful as I expected to be. Very artsy, well balanced, good info, spacing, coloring, imagery. Just noticing, that’s all. Now to this slice, a phenomenal idea. I often get the same feeling with whom I follow and allow to muse me. I’d have to put some serious thought as to whom I would spotlight first, probably someone from Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s hitRECord off the top of my head. Possibly him, as a collector of many of eye-catching pieces and interactive posts.
Back to your featured, I was drawn in like it was a magazine spotlight. You really gave it the star treatment and I was so impressed. By your set-up, your selected picks, and how it influenced you today. It drove your point home in a huge way. Love love love the procrastination illustration. That could be in on my inspiro board. Looking forward to tomorrow’s pick.
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Well, now I have to go explore and try to find some. 🙂 Love how you found yours. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Ha! And then in needing to find out more about her you found another grand way to procrastinate. 🙂
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I love this post! I was looking around for something to write about and I came across your post! LOVE it! I will be back to meet more secret social media friends. Love! Love! Love!
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By the way, I adore your notebook!!! I want to see more!
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I have so many people I admire from afar thanks to social media. Debbie is quite a great find- I love her tweets and she always seems so optimistic! Donalyn and several other gurus in my life I was lucky enough to meet in person last summer and I could not believe how lucky I was. I am so glad to be living in a time where “my tribe” can be anywhere. Great idea for a slice!
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I love your blog. You are one of my media crushes!
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I’m having a delightful few minutes here catching up on my favorite blogs. I love how you always give me something to dive into in your posts–plus wonderful Internet rabbit holes to fall down! I’m crazy about two of Debbie’s PBs, Naked! And I’m Bored! Still haven’t read Where Are My Books? but with a title like that, how can I not love it?
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