Crowns & Cathedrals

Around the World
Written by Kelci

A quote from Martin Luther King Jr, “Faith is taking the first step when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Editor’s post: This post will continue to evolve as I do.

Welcome back, fellow explorers, to the Around the World series. A journey designed to spark curiosity, broaden global perspective, and offer a simple, approachable way to get familiar with every country on the map. Each post is a short, thoughtful stop in roughly six-countries per chapter, moving continent by continent.

Today’s chapter is titled “Crowns & Cathedrals” where thrones, domes, and struggles for faith shape both skyline and soul. These nations sit at Europe’s symbolic heart, layered with legacy, ceremony, and sacred tension.

This time we begin our journey through three powerfully distinct places: Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City. Each carrying influence far beyond their size, each with a story that reverberates through the past and into the present. Let’s begin.

My hand-drawn flag of Ukraine

UKRAINE

Official name: Ukraine

Pronunciation: yoo-krayn

Capital: Kyiv

Official language: Ukrainian

Location: In Eastern Europe in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Poland, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia

Most known for: Landmarks, such as golden domes

Fun fact: Birthplace of world’s first constitution back in 1710’s

Most recent article: Women entrepreneurs from Ukraine met during the Women’s Entrepreneur EXPO 2025 to build a more compassionate and peaceful world (UN Women, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m more familiar in recent years

My hand-drawn flag of United Kingdom

UNITED KINGDOM

Official name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pronunciation: yoo-nai-tuhd king-dm

Capital: London

Official language: English

Location: Island country off the Northwestern coast in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Ireland

Most known for: The Royal Family

Fun fact: Where cheese rolling is a sport

Recent news article: What went right this week: a recycling revolution, plus more (Robin Eveleigh, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m a little familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Vatican City

VATICAN CITY

Official name: The State of the Vatican City

Pronunciation: va-tuh-kuhn si-tee

Capital: Doesn’t have one as it functions as a city-state and therefore is it’s own capital

Official language: Italian and Latin

Location: Within Italy in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Italy

Most known for: Global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church

Fun fact: Is the world’s smallest country

Recent news article: Vatican City: How the world’s smallest state is governed (Paola Arriaza Flynn & Diego López Marina, 2025)

My knowledge: Not too much

As we wrap up this chapter of “Crowns & Cathedrals,” it’s clear that these nations: Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City, offer more than just historic landmarks or iconic imagery. They hold tension and tradition, reverence and resilience. From sacred halls to sovereign thrones, they remind us that belief whether in faith, identity, or freedom, shapes more than just borders.

If you’ve visited, lived in, or were born in any of these countries, I’d love to hear your story. Your perspective adds depth to this journey. Let me know in the comments or messages, and stay tuned, our next flight in the Around the World series, takes off in just three days.

If you want to look ahead or even look back on some of the adventures thus far, click here for the itinerary.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpectedly earn a spot on our favorites list And sometimes, we surprise ourselves 🩷 More or Less, the first chapter of my November series, As We Go, is now available! Come see what I’ve been thinking about lately What’s something you’ve grown to appreciate more as you’ve gotten older? • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MindfulLiving #LifeLessons #FindingJoy
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions on the page, I handed a few of them over to others and got curious about where their minds would go. There were no right answers and nothing anyone was supposed to figure out (the norm and same with my polls). I just wanted to see what might happen when different people were given the same information. And well… you tell me 💛 You Tell Me is now live • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #YouTellMe #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Curiosity #LetsTalk
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another possibility All Things Considered brings me to one more question What happens when considered what we reasonably can and there are still things we may never know? It’s the final chapter (aside from the bonus post coming out this coming Thursday) of For What It’s Worth, and maybe the most personal question I’ve asked myself along the way 💛 Read All Things Considered, now live | Part IIII | Week 43 | For What It’s Worth series • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #AllThingsConsidered #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #SelfReflection #Curiosity
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perception, perspective, and how much of another person any one of us really gets to see Different doesn’t necessarily mean someone has it wrong Sometimes it’s just means there’s more than one experience in the room 💛 Read “Same Difference” is now live | Part III | Week 42 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #SameDifference #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Perception PersonalReflectio
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
Kelci

Hi, I’m the creative mind behind Inspire Those Who Inspire You!

I’m a curious soul with a love for creativity, meaningful moments, and life’s little adventures.

I’ve always enjoyed taking in the world around me, noticing the little (often forgotten) details, and learning something new along the way. I’m fascinated by different cultures, countries, and the people who make each place unique. There’s so much to discover beyond our own little corners of the world, and I hope to experience as much of it as I can.

I’m happiest when I’m doing a little bit of everything. Give me an early morning sunrise, a good swim, a peaceful walk-through nature, or an interesting mystery novel, and I’m pretty content. I love a productive day, appreciate a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for animals, especially penguins, frogs, turtles, and a growing list of other fascinating creatures.

I also enjoy finding humor in life’s unexpected moments, especially the ones that don’t go quite as planned. Some of my blond moments have turned into hilarious moments because sometimes all you can do is laugh, and I certainly have plenty of opportunities to do that!

When it comes to creativity, I love experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me. Whether I’m writing, taking photographs, or creating colorful abstract artwork, I enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about how something is supposed to turn out. Sometimes there’s a story or deeper meaning behind what I create, and other times I simply enjoy the process.

Over the years, I’ve learned to take life a little less seriously, appreciate my individuality, and understand that kindness and personal boundaries can coexist. Being considerate of others matters to me, but so does treating myself with that same respect.

I value genuine connections, curiosity, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. One of the things I appreciate most about people is how differently we experience the world. Our interests, experiences, and perspectives all contribute to who we are, and I find that fascinating.

I tend to keep certain parts of my life personal, but this little corner of the internet gives me a place to share some of my interests, experiences, and creativity with others.

All in all, I’m glad you found your way here!

http://www.inspirethose.com
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