Full disclosure. Melinda is my sister.
She is one of the women in the world who I admire most. She is authentic, fierce, determined, honorable, good, intelligent – and, did I say fierce? Yes, I did. Because she is.
Melinda knows who she is. She knows what she holds dear. She knows how she wants to live. And, she lives her truth. She is congruent. Who she says she is, she is.
Do you know anyone like that? I’ll bet you don’t know many.
She is consistently herself.
And, she is good. Not nice. Good. Like deep down. Like save the planet, help the impoverished, stand up for the helpless – good.
She is pretty much the best person.
Meet her.
What is your ‘credo,’ your ‘mission’ or a guiding source that drives you in your daily life? Several – although most times I don’t measure up: Be patient, be kind, be aware. Is it true, is it kind, does it need to be said. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. First do no harm
What book do you wish everyone would read? Actually 3: First “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson – to sound the alarm. Then “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben to open another realm to people’s awareness of nature and be on a more positive note. “Light on Life” by B.K.S. Iyengar – an instruction manual for living
What do you hate? I try not to hate. But greed, intentional cruelty, violence, willful ignorance I find make me incredibly angry.
What do you love? Nature which encompasses everything.
What book have you read that has stayed with you and why? Aside from the books above there are so many it is hard to identify just one. Many books helped me through different rough spots in my life by opening my eyes to different ways of thinking or different ideas. Some of them are: White Noise, A Wrinkle in Time, The Singing Tree, The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, The Life of Johnson, The Travels of William Bartram, The Fire Next Time, A Suitable Boy, A Confederacy of Dunces, Things Fall Apart, Invisible Man, The Master and Margarita, The Bone People, Consider This Senora
What movie have you seen that has impacted your life – even now? 2: Babette’s Feast and Groundhog Day
What do you love about the life you have led/are living? Being close to nature
What do you wish they taught in school? Conservation
What do you want young girls to know? It’s ok to get angry, just don’t lose it. Use it to make positive change.
Favorite Quote *“Dessert the table”
Favorite Podcast The Intercept and 2 Mamas and a Microphone
Favorite Song Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
Favorite Musician Aretha Franklin
Source of Inspiration Nature
Morning or Evening Ritual Brush my teeth
What “gets you through the day” Love
Describe your perfect day One in which I’m just happy without wanting anything else
Best Vacation you ever went on Flying through Iceland, landing in Germany, training to Italy, 3 weeks in Italy, training back to Belgium and flying home.
Dream Vacation Spot Italy
What do you (in the words of Oprah) know for sure That all things are connected
Favorite Netflix or TV Series Schitts Creek
Special Childhood Memory The Family Picnic
*Quote from our Dad when we asked, “What’s for dessert?”