Monday, April 30, 2012

A to Z Challenge: Z is for The Omega




Z is for The Omega:  the omega Ω is the very last letter in the Greek alphabet.  It signifies the last, the end, or the ultimate limit.  (Wikipedia)

As a child raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I remember hearing the phrase during Mass, “I am the first and the last, the alpha and the omega.”  For some reason, this always stuck with me.  And so, as we come to the end of the A to Z Challenge, I can’t help but think about this:  the omega, the end. 

I wasn’t going to participate in this challenge.  It just seemed like too much work, and don’t get me wrong, it was, but I’m not sorry I did it.  The challenge pushed me to do something I didn’t really want to do, but somehow found the strength to do anyway.  And best of all, it brought with it many new followers and those for me to follow, as well. 

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, and I do have a gripe or two or twenty to complain about on May 7th during the Reflection Post, but for the most part, it was a good thing.  It took a lot of planning to figure out what I was going to write and get my own posts up, but mostly it was endless hours spent trolling through nearly 1800 blogs.  I figure I probably hit well over 600.  I didn’t connect with all, of course, but I found a lot of truly fascinating people.  Can’t say many returned the favor, but what’re ya gonna do?  It is what it is.  But as I write this last post, I can’t help but feel relieved, because…

I.  AM.  EXHAUSTED!


So…are you as wiped out by the A to Z Challenge as I am?  Did you manage to post all 26 days?  Will you do it again next year?

Thanks so much for joining me during this incredible Challenge.  I may be taking a short break while I dive into my next novel, I’m not sure.  But if I do, I won’t be far, and I’ll still be dropping by your place. 

By the way, don’t be shocked to see a new look to my blog coming soon, that is if I’m brave enough to implement it.  My publisher has suggested I brand myself and this will be a part of that.  The content won’t change though.  I’m still the same as I’ve always been, still learning, still making friends, still reading all my favorite blogs.   

31 comments:

JeffO said...

Congratulations on hitting the end, and for making it through with your sanity intact!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on finishing. That's a huge accomplishment.

jp said...

Well done! I have to admit I had to cheat a little by back-dating one or two posts and I joined the challenge at the last minute with no clear idea what to do.

However perseverance paid off and the whole experience was refreshing. Not only would I do another, I can't wait for the chance.

A plethora of ideas came to me during the challenge which were too late this challenge but they are ready and waiting the next.

StratPlayerCJF said...

Congratulations on making it to the end of the A-to-Z! I'm with you -- I'm spent!

The blogathon was fun and I met a lot of awesome fellow writers and bloggers, but the worst part was that I spent all my time blogging and commenting and neglecting my real writing! So I'm pulling back in May and blowing the dust off my writing, lol!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I am exhausted! But it was still a lot of fun. Three years in a row now and I'll be back for next year. And you're not the first person to notice a lot of people didn't follow back. Some followed without ever commenting and they missed the point of the Challenge as well.

Lily Cate said...

This was my first year, and yep, I'll probably do it again. It was an experience, for sure!

Dino said...

Would just like to encourage you not to be shy with the blog redesign. I re did mine a while back, including a title change and am really glad I did.

My final post was also about the Omega.

I've just started following you on Networked Blogs

http://dpfinnie.com

Unknown said...

It was a good challenge. I noticed a number of bloggers would start their posts by saying it was hard to think of something to write. I found that I did not read those posts. I guess I love a free-flowing mind, eh? I have you on my list of blogs to visit. Good luck with your book!
http://badmoodgoodmood.blogspot.com/

Lynn Proctor said...

it was tiring but i am so glad i too finished it--yayay for all of us!!

Author A.O. Peart said...

Phew! It's over and you did an AHHMAZING job, girlfriend :-)

I read all your posts, although haven't commented on most. Can't wait to see what's the new blog is gonna be.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Love your choice. And congrats on beating the challenge. I'm so tired!

Eric W. Trant said...

I returned the favor, missy, and I don't often. I am a picky rascal, and I've learned the hard way not to follow blogs I have no interest in reading.

As for Omega, that triggers in my head three things, in order: math, biochemistry, and greek brotherhoods. I went to school at UT Austin, a big greek school in Texas, as a chemical engineer pre-med.

And I'm not Catholic. My son's mom is Methodist, which is Catholite, so I've hear that verse a few times, but not so many that it's seared into my brain.

Plus, I don't really think of God as having a beginning or an end. I've always had mixed feelings about that verse.

- Eric

Kelly Barnes said...

Great ending post.

The Omega is like Saturday. It's the end before another beginning (that's what the Priest told me).

Time to take a breather, ruminate, plan then set out again.

Anonymous said...

You came, you saw, you conquered the A to Z..congratulations! I was wondering if it would ever end myself...now I'll have to stand on my head in the corner to revive the brain....":)

Dino said...

Hi Nancy, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your comment, I really appreciate it!

I can't speak for the Catholic church but as a pastor of a non-denominational church I am often saddened by stories of people being judged and chased out of church. That is not the church's role!

At Tree Of Life I'm currently doing a series based on Moses invitation to Hobab "Come with us and we will treat you well." Moses invited Hobab to join his family and promised to share the blessings God had promised with Hobab. Such an amazing and unconditional offer. That's what church should be like.

Another pastor friend of mine sums it up like this. Most churches want us to Behave, Believe and then Belong. What Jesus modelled and what our church wants is for folk to Belong, Believe and leave the Behave part to the work of the Holy spirit. We fall short on this but we try our best.

Glad to hear that regardless of how the church treated you that your faith still has meaning for you.

Bless you

Dean
XX

Jeff King said...

ha... glad to see you could endure the challenge--I would have given up with C.

M Pax said...

You hit more blogs than I did. It was fun. Met new fab people. Depends what's going on next year. But I'd do it again.

Hektor Karl said...

"I do have a gripe or two or twenty to complain about on May 7th during the Reflection Post"

Looking forward to that post!

"Can’t say many returned the favor, but what’re ya gonna do? It is what it is."

Yeah, I've noticed the same.

"Will you do it again next year?"

Perhaps. We've got a lot of time to think on that one. :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Clever Z post!
You have me curious about your new branding and new look for the blog.

Alleged Author said...

I bet you are glad to have reached your omega post!

Carrie Butler said...

Congratulations on finishing, Nancy! I can't wait to see your blog's new look. Let me know if you need any help with it! :D

Al Penwasser said...

Outstanding job, Nancy. I was entertained and learned a lot along the way. I know that you'll do it again next year.
It's Omega for now. Not Omega for good.

Anonymous said...

I'm not Catholic, but I've always loved that line. I am the first and the last, the alpha and the omega.This won't be the last time I visit.

Lydia Kang said...

I'm exhausted at the thought of the A-Z blogfest and I didn't even do it!
I applaud your persistence, imagination, and effort!

Kelley Lynn said...

Congratulations!!!

I'm exhausted and I didn't even participate! SO many great posts. So little time.

Can't wait for the new look!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Change is good. We won't leave you because of how things look!
:)
Great job on the challenge. Lots of great info you shared.

Thanks for all your support too.

My fingers are crossed that everything goes well for you!
Heather

Anonymous said...

Well done on completing it all.. I missed a lot of it since I was off on holidays...:) Can't wait to see your new blog look.

mooderino said...

I think it was hard for people to visit new people and keep revisiting other blogs too when there were so many. Hopefully once the dust clears (and everyone isn't posting 6 times a week) it will be easier.

mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

Unknown said...

“I am the first and the last, the alpha and the omega.”

That's the line I'm going to take away from this post :)

All the best for your blog changes, and congrats on completing the challenge!!

Liza said...

Congratulations on finishing Nancy. I'm in awe of anyone who reached this goal.

Lisa Regan said...

Congrats! This was quite an accomplishment and as I've said before I think your series of posts would make a great writing self-help book! But I am kind of glad it's over since I couldn't keep up with everyone's posts!