When I landed on this blog a few weeks ago, I assumed it was an older blog as the archives has posts dating back to 2006.
But when the author commented the other day and said she was celebrating her third month of blogging.
I was confused, so I made time to dig through her archives. It wasn’t until I read the post, Meet My New Baby Bloggling that I understood.
You see, she had been writing and posting privately, but hadn’t let the world see her work until the end of March (2009).
One of the first things that drew me into this blog was something I found in her header. There is a page titled, “Desiderata”. “Desiderata” has been a favorite poem of mine for many years. To this day, I have a copy of it on my bulletin board as a gentle reminder of how I’d like to live my life.
It starts out,
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
To read the rest of it, just click on the link to her page.
The author of this blog weaves stories of her everyday life with lessons from which we all can benefit and identify with. In her post titled, Guest House she starts off by explaining how she was ill and hadn’t been able to post as often as she wanted. She then goes on to share,
Writing helps the soul breathe, but blogging is a different beast. It makes me feel like a madwoman most days, swinging between highs of connection, learning, new friendships and self expression and lows of paranoia, frustration, exhaustion and queasiness at the underlying hypocrisy and unmentioned stalking and plunder that goes on in the shadows.
Isn’t that a great description of how blogging can affect us? We all have our highs and lows, days of frustration and mixed emotions.
When I read her post titled, How to Harness the Power of Authenticity in Your Writing and Your Life, the last part hit home for me. She wrote,
Be brave, be vulnerable.
Be brave enough to explore the depths, to find a way out and shine a light for others to find theirs. Don’t be scared to live, to hold out your heart in both hands like a trembling bird and say “Here I am, love me as I am or leave me.” Be more afraid to die with your song still in you, to cheat your loved ones, your readers and the world of the greatest gift you have to give. You.
What a true statement. As much as us bloggers question what our readers want from us, this is the perfect reminder all they want is US. They want us to be authentic and to share our soul. By doing so, we open our hearts and show others our originality.
On that note, I’ll break the suspense and share the blog I’m showcasing this week.
Please join me in welcoming Janice of Sharing The Journey to the Blogging Without A Blog community.
Welcome Janice. It’s a pleasure to have you here and it is a joy to read your words.
Enjoy your reign!
.
P.S. While there, don’t forget to download Janice’s free ebook, “Coaching Moments”
Photo Credit: Per Ola Wiberg (Powi)
Hi. I'm Barbara Swafford and I'd like to welcome you to the Blogging Without A Blog (BWAB) virtual blogging classroom. We'll make you think, share some links, and listen to what you have to say. Grab a chair and join in the conversation. 
Eliza 
Bunnygotblog 
janice 
Sara B. Healy 
Lance 
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach 
J.D. Meier 
Ching Ya 
Davina 
Patricia 
Tumblemoose 
Caroline 
