Victoria Ponders

I LOVE Reader Input 🥰

I’ve said this before…and I’ll ask for forgiveness in advance because I probably won’t stop. 

Reader input is the most wonderful, unexpected joy in writing. 

My mom’s story IS complicated, and a dear reader recently wondered if I could challenge myself to create a new graphic – one that might depict the messy ‘soup’ that was my mom’s life along with all the ups and downs I experienced with her. “She WAS unique – your mom – there’s so much in your story.” Umm…yes. Unique.

I felt a wave of inspiration which resulted in some fun tinkering to try to capture Sue ‘at a glance’. I’m not a designer, but I love mind-mapping and the image (above) is where I landed.

Early feedback (as a result of posting this in “Reader Resources” on my consulting site)? Sometimes a picture IS worth more than words – at least when you’re trying to convey an overview.

Ever grateful for readership and support. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Vicki 🥰

Vicki’s consulting website: www.atkinsongroupsolutions.com

Sharing the Heart of the Matter Podcast

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Victoria

Hi — I’m Vicki and I’m a big believer in the power of connection – taking time to share what matters most. I love pondering…thinking about work, family and home life and I enjoy blogging about all of it. Cheers!

55 responses to “I LOVE Reader Input 🥰”

  1. 100 Country Trek Avatar
    100 Country Trek

    Thanks for sharing these images. Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, Anita!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. drgeraldstein Avatar
    drgeraldstein

    Quite an array. Something for everyone? It does fit your mom, sadly, and also offers a sense of that which you overcame, Vicki.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      You know me…yes! It was a little daunting to put it all together in one image. A snapshot of complexity that I sometimes overlook when I think about Sue’s life and mine with her. Thanks for that, Dr. Stein. 💕

      Like

      Reply
  3. Julia Preston Avatar
    Julia Preston

    I love the mind mapping that takes you from fear to love. Better that than the other way around, right? But then, dear Vicki, you have become an expert in finding and sharing love, perhaps in part thanks to your horrendous experience of finding your way through the muddle of your mom’s mind and replacing it with clarity within your own instead. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Yay! You navigated the map! Love you, Jules. Yes, yes. I have Wynne to thank for that line ‘fear into love’. It’s so applicable to so many challenges in life…and you know what I mean. Sending love and Valentine’s Day hugs to you. 🥰💕🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Julia Preston Avatar
        Julia Preston

        Valentine hugs back to you dear Vicki! 🥰🥰🥰

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          💕💕💕

          Like

          Reply
  4. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    Mind maps are always cool beans in my estimation. I like the one you’ve created. Well done. And because this is the day to say it: Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Right back at you, Ally Bean…my design queen. I’ll take that nod from you — thank you very much. I chuckle every time I’m working in Canva and see design templates with pretty ‘tealish’ overtones. I smile and think – ‘that’s Ally’s teal’. In my head, you own a color. How’s that!?! 🥰😜🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Esoterica Avatar
    Esoterica

    Mind maps are pretty amazing! Sue was incredibly complex, yet your graphic really does a great job of capturing those key elements that made her who she was. Brilliantly done! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Yay! Thanks, Erin. That means a lot. I think I avoided doing a ‘snapshot’ look at Sue because I needed time to sort it out in my head…and heart. Appreciate you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Esoterica Avatar
        Esoterica

        🥰🥰🥰

        Like

        Reply
  6. joynealkidney Avatar
    joynealkidney

    A powerful graphic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, Joy! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. beth Avatar
    beth

    Wonderful feedback

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, dear Beth! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Wow! What a graphic! Well done!
    And Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Aww! Thank you, Nancy! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too. 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nancy Avatar
        Nancy

        🥰🌹🥰

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          ❤️❤️❤️

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  9. E.A. Wickham Avatar
    E.A. Wickham

    I think you captured your mother’s personality and life in your mind mapping. I haven’t heard that phrase before.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, Elizabeth! Oh – sorry about throwing that phrase around. It’s one of my favorite teaching/therapeutic tools. I should’ve explained. 🥰😉🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. WritingfromtheheartwithBrian Avatar
    WritingfromtheheartwithBrian

    A powerful image Vicki. One of my takeaway’s: how much power fear, anxiety, and depression have in our lives. Of course, I also come away with the need for love to overcome it all. Very cool graphic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      You are so kind, Brian! Thank you. It means a lot to know my little infographic is digestible, makes sense. Xo! 🥰

      Like

      Reply
      1. WritingfromtheheartwithBrian Avatar
        WritingfromtheheartwithBrian

        I love the tools you have on your site for readers. I think a great idea to help others process and work through some of their own experiences.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Thank you so much for taking a look, Brian. Additional insights and ideas from you are always welcome! You KNOW things! 🥰😉🥰

          Like

          Reply
          1. WritingfromtheheartwithBrian Avatar
            WritingfromtheheartwithBrian

            You’re the graphic designer. I think you should check with your publisher about a side gig as a designer. I work with designers and I couldn’t come up with what you come up with.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Victoria Avatar
              Victoria

              Bahahaha! That’s funny. Thanks for the wonderful compliment but really I’m just a goof figuring things out. 😜

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  11. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    Please, never call an abuser ‘unique’ that’s an insult to everybody who stands out. “Unique” has a positive meaning. Mona Lisa is unique, so is Vincent van Gogh. Nobody uses the word ‘unique’ for people like Hitler, Stalin, Jack the Ripper. Evil is not unique at least not in my books. My mother was an abuser, she certainly wasn’t unique.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you for sharing your perspective, Bridget.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Awakening Wonders Avatar
    Awakening Wonders

    Mind mapping graphic – well done! Wishing you a beautiful day Valentine Day filled with love and happiness. Hugs to sweet Lisa too!💖💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you so much, Mary. I will be sure to give Lisa big hug from you! Happy Valentine’s Day right back to you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Wynne Leon Avatar
    Wynne Leon

    Reader feedback is so good – as is your mind map. Brilliant! Love it! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you for that, Wynne. Sue had a lot of facets – challenging and charming but definitely troubled. My hope is that the “map” presents all of that accurately – or as much as I can do so in an image. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) Avatar
    Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

    Happy Valentine’s Day Vicki! I hope you’re having a wonderful day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, dear Michelle. Yes — hope the same for you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) Avatar
        Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

        🤗

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  15. cheryloreglia Avatar
    cheryloreglia

    I find it incredible how open and generous a heart you have after dealing with and fielding so much trauma for your entire life. The mind-map adds clarity to the picture but it doesn’t tell the story. Only you can do that and you’ve done it with such grace and generosity. Happy Valentine’s Day my friend, hugs, C

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      You are so kind…and astute. Seeing that all of the vulnerability is still right there…at the surface…even now. Grateful for your friendship, dear Cheryl. ❤️xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Life with Alegria Avatar
    Life with Alegria

    A lovely bit of art that illustrates how you converted fear to love. Beautiful Vicki! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Ohhh…that means a lot coming from you, my talented friend. You have such a keen sense of visual art and design. Xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Life with Alegria Avatar
        Life with Alegria

        I play around and enjoy design in many forms, though I’m not sure if I’m talented in this regard. Thanks though. Appreciate that Vicki! 💕

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          You are far too modest! I’ve missed your beautiful videos but appreciate how time consuming they must be to create. 🥰❤️🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Life with Alegria Avatar
            Life with Alegria

            They definitely are time consuming. And I will create more, as time allows. Though probably not on a regular basis. There is so much to do and explore in life. 🥰

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Victoria Avatar
              Victoria

              Cheers to that! Enjoy yourself in every way. 🥰❤️🥰

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. Life with Alegria Avatar
                Life with Alegria

                Thanks Vicki! You too. 💕🥰

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                1. Victoria Avatar
                  Victoria

                  Xo! 🥰

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
  17. Ab Avatar
    Ab

    A picture does tell a thousand words. What a great infographic, Vicki!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Ohhh….i appreciate your kind words! Thanks, Ab! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Mark Petruska Avatar
    Mark Petruska

    For not being a designer, I think your mind-mapping experiment is a huge success!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Praise accepted — thank you so much, Mark! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Valhalla Avatar
    Valhalla

    Thank you so very much!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. raisingjessstory Avatar
    raisingjessstory

    Very powerful image. And great idea!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, dear Vickie. I appreciate your feedback! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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