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The Alphabet Is Fine

A to Z challenge, Blogging, Writing & Creativity / April 1, 2014 by Corinne Rodrigues / 126 Comments

Today I start playing with the alphabet, again! Yes, I’m doing the April Blogging From A to Z Challenge for the second time. After our experience with the Challenge last year, I decided that I was doing it on Everyday Gyaan too besides on From 7Eight. I’m also linking into the Ultimate Blog Challenge and April’s NaBloPoMo.

When I began to think about what theme I would blog on for the Challenge here, I was tempted to go with many ideas, until I realized it was best to stick to my blog’s tagline : Keeping Life Simple, Authentic and Holistic. In other words, it’s business as usual – only that there’ll be a lot more posts in a short span of time.
Fred Rogers

I know from my experience last year that it’s easy to be clever with the letters of the alphabet when doing the A to Z challenge. However, this time, I’m trying not to be clever,  I’m going to stick to my own voice.

Natalie Goldberg writes about her Israeli landlady, a woman in her fifties. The woman called a repairman to fix her broken TV. It took the repairman four visits to fix the screen.

“But you knew even before he came the first time what was wrong,” Natalie told her. “He could have brought the correct tube and fixed it immediately.”

The landlady looked at her in astonishment. “Yes but then we couldn’t have had a relationship, sat and drunk tea and discussed the progress of the repairs. ”

Of course, Goldberg writes, the goal was not to fix the machine but to have a relationship. To make a connection–to touch, to see, to listen, to discover, to drink from the well of the day’s gladness.

This is exactly why I started a blog to make a connection with people via my writing. And that’s just what I’m going to do with the letters of the alphabet through this month!

This post is written for the letter A for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014 José and I are undertaking the Challenge on our blog, From 7Eight too.

The Natalie Golberg story comes via Terry Hershey’s Sabbath Moment updates.

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Comments

  1. Kajal

    April 1, 2014 at 12:52 am

    And it sure makes sense…not being too smart with the alphabet, eh?

    Anyway, I loved the theme and the way that you have weaved it. Will stay tuned
    Kajal recently posted..About Time (2013)My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Only being myself, Kajal! 😉 Thanks.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  2. nabanita

    April 1, 2014 at 3:07 am

    I love the theme Corinne…but I think in reality you are being smart with the alphabet 🙂 And the making connection part says it all , doesn’t it? That’s why we blog I guess…It feels gr8 when people connect to us through our writings 🙂
    nabanita recently posted..A is for Alone in AgonyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Naba. Making a connection with our words is what it’s all about. You do that well! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  3. swathi shenoy

    April 1, 2014 at 7:23 am

    i love ur theme 🙂
    trying not to be smart with the alphabets and being smart at the same time 😀

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks, Swathi. Good luck with your posts! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  4. Aditi

    April 1, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Lovely that you are keeping it simple, authentic and holistic! 🙂 Making beautiful connections is certainly a reason for blogging and what a golden opportunity this A-Z gives no?
    Aditi recently posted..The Amethyst RingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks, Aditi. And you’re right – you make some great connections via the A to Z.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  5. S(t)ri

    April 1, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Whoa, you have made a nice theme and an excellent write up based on the theme!! I am so curious to know more!!
    S(t)ri recently posted..Achilles’ heel – Day1 AtoZ Challenge 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:36 pm

      My theme is just the same as the one I have all year through, Sri. 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  6. Gauri

    April 1, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Keep it simple, eh? Lovely theme! And a great post as usual Corinne 🙂
    Gauri recently posted..A – Aprons DIY (A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2014)My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Thanks, Gauri! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  7. Shilpa Garg

    April 1, 2014 at 9:07 am

    Oh yes, the goal is to build relationships and enjoy the journey! Loved the path you are following, Corinne! ♥
    Shilpa Garg recently posted..A is for ArgumentsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks, Shilpa! Remember how we made a connection last year? 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  8. richa singh

    April 1, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Yes we blog to make connections, find those with whom we share a lot of our human values and life. Writing is a way of life for me now. And it is because of this that we met too 😀
    richa singh recently posted..Approaching thirty are we?My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:41 pm

      Right you are, Richa. If our words can make sense to another – that’s a great connection, I think! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  9. Obsessivemom

    April 1, 2014 at 9:21 am

    I like it when you talk of keeping it simple. Easy enough if the goal is clear in our heads.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks, Tulika. And you’re right, we need to be clear about it.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  10. Salesh Dipak Fernando

    April 1, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Lovely thought..Building Relationships or should I say touching lives…
    Salesh Dipak Fernando recently posted..A- ANNE FRANKMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      Touching lives, indeed, Salesh. Thank you.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  11. Inderpreet Kaur Uppal

    April 1, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Hi,
    This is a good idea, let us keep our life simple. This is what I am applying to my blogging too.
    In our speedy lives we just don’t sit and talk any more.
    Thanks a ton!
    Inderpreet Kaur Uppal recently posted..A is for ALONEMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks, Inderpreet. Yes, conversation is a dying art!
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  12. Vidya Sury

    April 1, 2014 at 9:57 am

    That landlady is my kind of person!
    Great start to the A to Z, Corinne! Love, Vidya
    Vidya Sury recently posted..AffirmationsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:45 pm

      Oh yes, she is! 😉 Thanks, Vidya.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  13. Sreeja Praveen

    April 1, 2014 at 10:37 am

    Aah, the alphabet ! Lovely tapestry of words here, Corinne 😉 loved the way you’ve woven the smartness into the ‘not being smart’ thing 🙂 Hugs, Corinne 🙂 Staying tuned for the rest of the smartness 😀
    Sreeja Praveen recently posted..# 1. Ashes…..My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks so much, Sreeja. You have a way of making people feel good about themselves! 🙂
      Hugs.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  14. Beloo Mehra

    April 1, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Aah…I like this very much, Corinne. A is indeed for Alphabet, I suppose 🙂 And I should add that from what I have seen so far you certainly have connected quite nicely with so many people through your writings and helped people make their own connections too. Way to go, girl! Look forward to your B post and all the rest!
    Beloo Mehra recently posted..HomecomingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you, Beloo. I’m certainly glad we connected!
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  15. Bhavya

    April 1, 2014 at 10:59 am

    EG is a lovely place to be in and I love digging out your old posts are reading them, for they give a sense of comfort and peace. Glad that you are keeping the theme of EG as it is. All the best for April 🙂

    PS: Hope there would be some posts from Pablo too…
    Bhavya recently posted..AddressMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks, Bhavya. That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard today!
      Poor Pablo is suffering from writer’s block! 😉
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  16. Dayana

    April 1, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    I just heard about this alphabet blogging thing and I think its awesome to come up with clever ideas based on the alphabet to blog about!!

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks, Dayana. I hope we can sustain it though! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  17. Ananya Kiran

    April 1, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    Tell me tell me How do you think what you think, what a post 🙂
    Ananya Kiran recently posted..A – Another Fairytale ? Ananya’s Fairytale ??My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Ha ha…now I don’t go giving out secrets for free! 😉
      Thanks, Ananya.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  18. Suzy

    April 1, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    So true. It’s all about connections. What would life be if we all lived in isolation. I love how you convey your message through a story.
    Suzy recently posted..Life’s Jigsaw – Ask and it is givenMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks, Suzy! Glad you liked it.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  19. simple girl

    April 1, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    connection is what we really want.. waiting for more feel good posts.. 🙂
    simple girl recently posted..AtoZchallenge – A for AmlokiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks, Simple Girl. I hope I can oblige!
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  20. Sheethal

    April 1, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    Making relationships in this busy world is very important 🙂 … as always <3'd this too 🙂
    Sheethal recently posted..A is for …My Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Sheetal.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  21. Psych Babbler

    April 1, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    You are truly keeping it simple by not playing around too much with the alphabet! 😉 I love your tagline and looking forward to this month…
    Psych Babbler recently posted..A is for Acceptance #atozchallengeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      Yes, I am, PB. I’m looking forward to the month too. 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Phenomenal Women Inspiring ChangeMy Profile

      Reply
  22. sunila

    April 1, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Simplicity is not easy to achieve and stay with. Looking fwd to your posts Corinne 🙂

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Ah but we can try, Sunila! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  23. Diana Pinto

    April 1, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Hi Corinne ! Great start to the A to Z blogging challenge. Making connections through writing is wonderful and it comes so naturally to you. Best of luck for the entire challenge.

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks, Diana. Good luck to you too!
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  24. G Angela

    April 1, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    I liked your post corinne, you are simply great ! thanks for inspiring !

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks, Janet.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  25. Tasha

    April 1, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    A very straightforward and admirable aim. Good luck with the AtoZ.
    Tasha
    Tasha recently posted..AtoZ Day 1: A is for Attitude, Abchanchu and Abraham Lincoln – Vampire HunterMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks, Tasha. The same to you too.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  26. Proactive Indian

    April 1, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    ‘Smart’ and ‘not smart’ reminds me of a senior co-worker many years back. Everybody used to tell him he was lucky to have such a smart wife. One day, somebody insensitively asked him how come such a smart woman married a ‘not smart’ guy like him. Before any further damage could be done, I retorted, “She fell for a ‘not smart’ guy, but he successfully wooed such a smart woman, obviously he’s smarter than her!” From that day, people stopped bugging him about his ‘smart’ wife!
    Proactive Indian recently posted..AppreciationMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Good one, Pro! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  27. Shailajav

    April 1, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    You amaze me with your energy- AtoZ, Nablopomo, UBC 😀 And keeping WT running through all that and running the AtoZ group! Doing it with two blogs!

    Lady, I want to know what diet you’re on 😉

    On a serious note, I love the anecdote about the lady talking about making connections. Because after all, that is what blogging is all about. And you make it seem so easy. Hats off to you!
    Shailajav recently posted..AwarenessMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Ah it’s a breeze! 🙂 Thanks, Shailaja. Yes, I loved the story too.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  28. Eli

    April 1, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Business as usual – coming from you- yes, please Corinne:-) Love your writings, so Ill be following for sure. So happy to have connected with you through blogging:-) The story with the repair-guy was cute. Can totally relate… many do have the tendency to come again and again don’t they:-) Super start of the challenge:-)
    Eli recently posted..A for AcropolisMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 9:41 pm

      Thanks, Eli. You’re so affirming. 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  29. Sulekha

    April 1, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Blogging is an excellent way of building relationships with other bloggers but as long as the effort is on from both the sides. One-way communication becomes less audible with time. AtoZ Challenge is bringing like-minded bloggers in touch with each other and helping build bridges across nations, loving it. You have started with a bang and the boom will get louder with every letter 🙂

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Thanks, Sulekha. You should know – you’re the veteran A to Zer! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  30. Doreen McGettigan

    April 1, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Oh Corrine what a lovely start to the challenge. Here in Philadelphia it is 8:45 a.m. on 4/1
    I am at work but had a break so I made a cup of tea and I am off to make some connections.
    Doreen McGettigan recently posted..The A-to-Z’s of mental health, AddictionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 9:59 pm

      Thanks, Doreen. I hope you enjoyed your tea and made some good connections! 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  31. Kathy Combs

    April 1, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    This is going to be a great month! I look forward to all the uplifting inspiration that I will get here. I am already smiling and feeling refreshed! ♥
    Kathy Combs recently posted..A is for AdulteryMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      We’re going to rock this challenge, aren’t we, Kathy? 🙂
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday – 4My Profile

      Reply
  32. Jolie du Pre (

    April 1, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Yes, an important part of A to Z is forming relationships. Nice post.
    Jolie du Pre ( recently posted..Zombie Invasion: AutumnMy Profile

    Reply
    • Corinne Rodrigues

      April 1, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      It is indeed, Jolie. Thank you.
      Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..April Come She Will #AtoZChallengeMy Profile

      Reply
  33. Cat

    April 1, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I love your simple, authentic and holistic blog, Corinne and am so glad we connected. You are great how you support others and are always positive and uplifting.

    And by the way, I think you’re VERY CLEVER, too! Just sayin…. Look forward to more fun this month with the A-Z Challenge.

    Reply