Why write?
I have found myself wondering why it is I devote a few minutes each day to adding yet another chapter to this growing book that is mostly my life in random bytes.
If it were for the awards that get passed around from time to time, I would have quit long ago, because to my knowledge I’ve never received any of them. Occasionally people will comment that something I wrote made them think, and that is the best feedback I could ever imagine.
I’m not terribly attracted to the memes or the themes that many Bloggers use for fantastic posts, preferring instead my own form of a diary that reflects what I see in life.
One thing that has struck me from time to time is the danger of singling out others from the group. I suppose it’s that same feeling I used to get in elementary school of being picked for the team... or not. It’s great if you are named as one of the best or even to carry on a meme, but if you are not, it does feel rather like sitting on the bench while the team plays.
After more than 4 years of writing, I now have a Blogger family with whom I am quite content. There’s an occasional new face, but it’s usually a predictable group of people that show up on a regular basis.
The truth is their presence is better than any award I might ever be offered. I feel incredibly well connected and well supported by these people who are mostly doing the same thing I am most every day and by some who come here just to read.
posted by Barbara at 12:34 PM
17 Comments:
My approach with memes is to do the ones that appeal to me (which is rare!) but never tag people. They can pick them up voluntarily if they want.
Steve -- I agree. After tagging people for the first couple and feeling guilty about those I excluded, I simply say "play if you want" at the end of the few I choose to do.
feeling connected is a good reason to blog and having another outlet for creative energies is probably what keeps us going and coming back day after day....
i too have a hard time with most memes and am awful following through if tagged, which fortunately doesn't happen very often!
to me it is exciting to see all the variety of expression and communication bloggers embrace....
see you around the cyberhood! keep on keeping on!
stay warm and watch where you walk I understand it's pretty slippery these days in metro dc. no more falls!!
Barbara, I love reading your diary, and your thoughts... and each blog is so different, and I love the insights into everybody's amazing worlds.. Our blog village as Angela calls it sometimes! memes are great, too, but not everybody's cup of tea, for sure, what I love about blogging is there aren't any hard & fast rules about anything :)
Mouse -- I am being SOOOOO unbelievably careful these days. In fact, not one toe outside the door today. It does look pretty from inside!
Karen -- It was actually your recent very positive comment that boosted my ego. I'm so glad to have connected with you this past year. I vicariously travel through Africa every time I visit your Blog!
reading other people's blogs is like making a visit to them. and writing lets me know what I'm thinking. it's a win-win situation.
Also, for a writer, a blog can be a place to play with different writing styles and subjects, and see what works. One advantage over a journal in this respect is that you can get feedback from others.
Pauline -- I am more than ever convinced that my making the rounds of my Blog visits is the equivalent of my mother's coffee with the neighborhood women. The only difference is my visits are electronic and there is no half-and-half or sugar.
MC -- Yes, the feedback is free and hopefully untainted by motive. You can't beat that.
Barbara - I think that all of us question from time to time the 'why's' of blogging and it is easy to get caught up in popularity or comments. I always return to the reason why I started this in the first place. It was certainly not for the comments, although I adore comments, it was to share my experience. I have learned first hand that I have no idea how or who I am touching by doing this. I have read blog posts in the past, yours included, that have touched me and made me think and I haven't commented.
Like you, I feel as though I have a blog community I keep checking in on and with. Blogging is a great way to express our thoughts, musings, outlook. And it has brought us together.
I don't often give you feedback, but I should. I enjoy what you write, and I'm glad you do, for whatever reason you.
People get awards?!
Gary -- This is why I love having you in my Blog family. You said so eloquently exactly what I was trying to say!
Kristin -- The latest round of "awards" are for Best Blog Thinker, given by peers. I quite agree with all the recipients I have seen, but BEST is a hard word to apply!
It`s like with choosing a member to your basketball team - it`s not always the "best player" you choose but your best buddy.
I often read your posts, too, without commenting, just to stay in touch. I just limit myself to a few blogs because of time - but every one gives me food for thought, and you do, too! I really dòn`t kneed to tell you that, do I?
Angela -- That's the whole point: By singling people out, you identify your best buddies, whereas otherwise everyone can think he/she is a best buddy.
There are many people who read and don't comment. I can see them and often even know who they are from my site meter.
hey Barbara - dont be blue! we love you and your blog... I dont always leave comments especially if there are loads there already!! unless i have something specific to add. Memes are sometimes a good antidote to bloggers block I find, although as Karen says nothing is set in stone and i usually leave them open for anyone who wants to do them.
I love the way everyones blog is so different in personality and place - i travel vicariously to wonderful places, and dine on food for thought along the way. Hope you are fully back on your feet now?
I don't want this to turn into a "sour grapes post because I didn't get one"! The only point I wanted to raise was one Reya instilled in me a long time ago: By choosing some people over others, those not chosen naturally feel left out. Although it's human nature to have best friends and thank God for them!
Feel free to come here any time, comment if you wish, and know that I am never expecting (or really even wanting) an award because it will mean someone else didn't get one!
Love to you all!
I have a hard time with memes and awards I sometimes forget to post them. Writing everyday is important to me, but also that I write with a pen or pencil as well, it can get too much with e mail and blogs and flickr and want to keep true letter writing alive as well as keeping notebooks of ideas, etc. When I got too into photoshop, my painting and sketching suffered, too into blogs and my reading time went down. It's all about balance and not overdoing the hi tech for me. I need to keep in touch with the "old ways" of expressing.
Avid Reader -- You are indeed a wise woman. All of life is really about BALANCE, isn't it?
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