Blogging helps us to share information with the world.
With hands perched on the keyboard, we wait for the words to travel from our heads, to the screen, via our fingertips. Like magic, they appear. Upon completing our “story for the day”, we hit publish and send our thoughts, opinions and life’s lessons into cyberspace.
Today’s Lesson
When I started blogging, I didn’t know what to expect.
I posted on a regular basis, got a few comments, but my computer had an invisible pull on me, and everyday (almost), I would sit and continue writing. I often wondered if I would run out of things to say, but it was rare that my creativity dried up.
As much as I knew a blog only grows with visitors, the joy of writing overtook me. At times I didn’t care if someone commented, or if my visitor counts increased.
In one sense I felt I was addicted to blogging, but it was more than that.
Blogging became a form of therapy. Typing what I had learned in blogging, was reinforcing the information in my brain.
Some days I typed, just to type. I didn’t have a post to publish, but I had lots of words, and I saved them. Typing on my blog also gave me an outlet. A way to vent the frustrations I was experiencing during the learning process.
I had no friends or family members who blogged, so I had no one to share my (blogging) thoughts with.
Cyberspace became my best “friend”. She listened, never disagreed and would always nod her head in understanding. My blog was good for the ego too. How often do we see our names and writings “published” in cyberspace? How many people can Google themselves and find dozens of pages?
I soon realized why so many bloggers are classified as lonely people.
It’s not that they are lonely, it’s that they want to be heard. In our daily lives, everyone is so busy, little time is spent really listening to others. Those that are quiet and reserved, often don’t stand a chance.
Writing in a journal is not the same. A journal is private. Blogosphere has a world wide audience. When we hit that publish button, we believe (hope) someone will hear us. Comments will validate it, but comments are not essential.
Lesson Six Blogs are more than an online journal. Blogs are the voices of people who have a desire to be heard. Blogs are an outlet and the topics we write about, are also topics we’re passionate about.
As bloggers, we want to voice our opinion, (and often it’s a strong one). Blogs let us do all of that.
Blogging gives us a chance to be heard. A chance we may not have in the real world.
Today’s Assignment
Are you passionate about your blogging topics?
Has blogging become therapeutic for you?
Do you feel your blog gives you a voice that may otherwise not be heard?
Photo Credit Jaime Olmo’s photostream
Barbara,
I definitely feel that blogging gives me a way to express myself and to hopefully allow my voice to be heard. I only half-jokingly said in one of my blog posts that my voice must be in the same register as a dog whistle because no one seems to hear me when I speak! Dogs everywhere, however, are sitting up and listening.
Seriously though, blogging can be quite therapeutic. I disagree about the lack of a need for comments though. Perhaps I am a less evolved blogger, because I still live for them!
Am I passionate? I believe you know the answer to that, but just in case someone missed it, YES!!!!!
I believe blogging gives me a voice and can be therapeutic, but sometimes it can be disheartening. The more I blog and read other blogs, the more I come across ignorance. Not necessarily from the blogger, but ignorance they have found and passed on to share and educate others. As I’ve said before, we march on and continue to share our knowledge and beliefs and joys in a hope that we are making a difference. That we may cause someone to stop and think before making a decision that may haunt them for the rest of their lives. When someone tells me I have helped them learn a little more about children with special needs and Down syndrome, I know it is worth the occasional heartache.
Debbie Yost’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – First Communion
Barbara, you are such a wonderful natural writer! I’m so glad I have come across you and your blog, thanks to Shilpan. I feel like I know you already, but have only been on your blog a couple of times. Your realness and genuineness is written all over your words all over your blog. Thank you! (I will definitely be back here more!)
Are you passionate about your blogging topics?
I am so passionate about what I blog about that it is what gives me life.
Has blogging become therapeutic for you?
Do you feel your blog gives you a voice that may otherwise not be heard?
Really I believe all three of these questions are tied together for me. For me, blogging is therapeutic because it gives me a voice that may otherwise not be heard. I have something very deep embedded in me that loves and desires to help people, but I am a natural introvert. Blogging is perfect for me in this way. I still have so much to learn in life, but I love passing on the things that have I have learned that have helped me so much so that I can help others avoid the same mistakes I have made or help them dig out of similar holes I have dug for myself. And…. the more I blog the more I learn and reinforce what I have learned.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Obtaining Wisdom in a Chaotic World (Continued)….
Hi Lori,
That’s funny about the dog whistle. In the beginning it is difficult to keep writing when you’re not certain anyone is hearing/reading.
I, myself, do love comments, and love interacting with my readers, however, I don’t want the lack of comments to kill my creativity, so I’ve convinced myself that my readers are probably too busy to comment, but someday will.
Hi Debbie,
Yes, I do know you are passionate about educating others about Down syndrome and children with special needs. And, you do a great job of it.
It is unfortunate some bloggers are writing on topics they have limited knowledge of and give readers the wrong impression and/or information. That is one reason I stress to my readers to “be educated”, do some homework, and realize not everything you read is true. What works for one person may not work for others.
Hi Jennifer,
What kind words. Thank you!
Yes, Shilpan gets credit for us meeting too. 🙂
I decided when I started blogging, I had to be “me”. There is no way I could try to be “something else”, and sustain that facade for a long time, so what you see (read) is what you get.
You and I are not all that different-wanting to help others and could be labeled as an introvert. Isn’t it great when you know you’ve shared a life lesson (that you’ve learned the hard way), and your words could possibly help another person from making the same mistake?
The power of a blog is amazing.
Hi Catherine,
I love how you use your blog to share some of the mistakes you’ve made in business to educate your readers. And you make us think about the mistakes we might be making too. It’s a real eye opener for business owners and bloggers alike.
Your writings show your passion, and where ever you go, you always spread good karma. 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
That’s a good point about helping others get out of a “jam”.
Hi Mark,
Finding like minded people seems to be much easier online than in our daily lives. And I agree, most of us do want to be part of a “community”.
Getting that compliment from your buddy, had to have made your day, and inspired you to keep doing what you’re doing.
I’m headed over to read your whimsical post.
Hi Barbara – Great points. I try not to use blogging as therapy, but because I’m writing a lot about my own experiences this does come into play. And it is therapeutic sometimes.
I’m definitely passionate about my blogging topics. And I think I’m lucky – the spectrum of my blog is quite broad, so I never run out of things to say.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..The Dirty Little Secrets Of An Informer
Yes Barbara, knowing that your words could possibly help another person from making the same mistake is amazing – that – and helping someone get out of something they have no idea how to get out of is also amazing!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Obtaining Wisdom in a Chaotic World (Continued)….
Many of us long for a community of like-minded friends. As adults it’s not as easy to find it in our daily social lives, so blogging gives us that opportunity.
My blog post today is more whimsical than others. What keeps me going is my love of sharing what excites me, and moments like last night, when a buddy of mine (who is never quick to compliment)shook my hand and told me how great and inspiring my blog was. Wow.
Mark – Creative Journey Cafe’s last blog post..Springtime Reminders
Barbara,
As I read this, I found myself nodding in agreement. I could literally feel the satisfaction and the love of writing as well as its therapeutic effects in your words.
My site has been very therapeutic for me. Even during this difficult point in my life where I’ve slowed down the writing, I do what you mentioned – I write and maybe I wouldnt publish. I read and I explore thoughts that I think will benefit the readers
And then I find that the pleasant side effect is that its helping me.
I feel like my blog has turned the volume up on my voice. In fact, when people find my site, they learn alot about me as a person. I may not write journal entries but my concerns are the matters of the heart and I make it my business to address things I’ve experienced and things I’ve sought and learned
And also the wonderful friends I make on the blogosphere – like you Barbara! 🙂 – the kind words are so genuinely appreciated because writing makes me so transparent and its so nice to be accepted as is, you know?
🙂
JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, You’s last blog post..An InMyHeels Note: Thank You Kelly of She-Power.com!
You said it all with this: Blogs are more than an online journal. Blogs are the voices of people who have a desire to be heard. Blogs are an outlet and the topics we write about, are also topics we’re passionate about.
Are you passionate about your blogging topics? Yes, I really couldn’t write them unless I felt something for most of them.
Has blogging become therapeutic for you? Absolutely! Writing is therapeutic.
Do you feel your blog gives you a voice that may otherwise not be heard? No, it gives me a wider audience, but as long as I have friends, they are just going to have to listen to me, lol. I used to bug them with my questions, take polls and we’d talk via an email group. Now I get to talk to a lot more people and stop bugging my friends all the time. They do get sick of me. 🙂
Natural Woman’s last blog post..Blog: For Sale By Owner
Hi JEMi,
You’re so sweet, and your words touch my heart. Thank you!
From th first day I read your blog, I knew you would be one I would follow. I do love that you write about issues that have affected you, and how you have learned to move forward. I know some of your posts must be written through tear filled eyes, but it’s that honesty you show that makes your blog so special. Your words educate others and it’s in that education your readers learn to search their souls – such wise words from a young girl. You rock!
Hi 4.0 point 🙂
I like that……”it gives me a wider audience”.
After reading what you wrote about your friends getting “sick of you”, you’ll love “lesson seven”. I’m guessing your response will be quite different than most. lol
Hi Reena,
Welcome to the BWAB community.
Blogging is beginning to revolutionize the world, and I think it’s still in it’s infancy.
It’s great that you have decided to join blogosphere and share your positivity. I look forward to reading your writings.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you again soon.
I have not been blogging for too long, and your post really spoke to me. I enjoy sharing my views, discussing issues and hope to make some difference by sharing my positivity with others. I think blogging has revolutionized the world in that all of this has become possible for any one on this earth!
Reenas last blog post..A Bit about I me and myself