I was recently reminded why I started the New Blog Of The Week (NBOTW) series. On an old post of mine titled Help For New Bloggers With Low Traffic, I got a new comment.
The comment said,
Thank you for writing this! I am a new blogger, and I’m learning everything as I go. I really enjoy the medium; I like being able to write my thoughts and ideas down, publish them instantly, and share them with the world (or at least the 5 or so people that happen to come by) 🙂
Sometimes I get a little discouraged because I feel like I have so much good stuff to share, but people just don’t seem to be interested. Posts like this help me “keep the faith!” Thank you again!
As I read his comment, I thought, “Isn’t this how we all felt when we started blogging?” Wanting to share our thoughts but discouraged because our blog doesn’t “get found”?
When I clicked over to this blog, I found a treasure trove of marvelous writings and knew he had to be this week’s pick for New Blog Of The Week.
In his post titled: Wrong Trains, Airports, and Relationships , he writes,
Briefly, I theorized that life is like a long train ride, with lots of stops along the way. We get on the train, and we ride to our destination, where we get off the train. From time to time, we share the ride with other passengers, and they share their ride with us. As long as our paths are synchronous, we ride the train together, learn from each other, share our joys and sorrows, and move forward. When our paths divert, either we get off the train, or they do, and we begin to move apart. Our paths might cross again at some point in the future, and we can share the train ride again, or they might not. Our job is to enjoy their company while they are with us, but to let them go freely when their path takes them away.
I see that as the perfect analogy? We do that, don’t we? We learn to enjoy a person’s company for the length of time we’re blessed to know them.
Reading his post titled Take Time To Heal I was reminded of hurts that kept me down. He described what I’ve also felt, to a “t”. He said
I’m beginning to realize that taking the time to heal isn’t as bad as I have always believed it was. It doesn’t mean that I’m weak. It doesn’t mean that I quit, or gave up too easily. It’s just human nature. I am wounded, and I need to take some time for myself before I rise to face my next challenge. Sometimes it takes a few days, while other times it takes a few weeks or even months. But somehow, I always manage to get back up again.
My favorite post of his is titled My Dad, My Hero, where he writes about life lessons he learned from his father. A sampling from the lesson on how to herd cows says,
The cow will always be bigger than you, stronger than you, and faster than you. The only possible way to win is by being smarter than the cow. In any conflict, the biggest, strongest, and baddest usually wins. You can beat those odds by being smarter and more determined.
Doesn’t that sound just like life? When we encounter a problem we think is insurmountable, we need to be smarter. Be determined. With the right mindset, we can conquer anything, cows included.
O.K. my dear readers, I’ve made you wait long enough. Please join me in welcoming Jay Schrver, author of “Porsidan”
While on his site, take time to go through his archives. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Jay, welcome to the Blogging Without A Blog community.
Enjoy your reign.
.
Photo Credit: ba1969
Welcome Jay! I just popped over to read your about page. I like how you say “… use what I have written as a springboard for your own ideas…” I’m happy to “meet you” 🙂 Congrats on NBOTW. Another good one Barbara!
Davina´s last blog post..The Morning Muse — Just Write
Yes his blog is beautiful and well worth the visit
best wishes 🙂
Ribbon´s last blog post..nervous
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for this beautiful write-up! I hope that your readers enjoy my blog, and that they are able to find useful information through my questions.
Jay Schryer´s last blog post..Wrong Trains, Airports, and Relationships
Hi, Jay and a warm welcome.
So you go to the airport without reason, and you liked Dogma. That’s 2 strikes against you. 🙂 But you write very well, and as Barbara says, the analogies are great. I will try to drop in on your blog from time to time, so now you can say “6 or so people…”
Welcome Jay to the growing group of NBOTW blogs, you are in great company! I am looking forward to checking out your blog. The examples Barbara gave were great and I could relate to them very much.
Wendi Kelly- Life’s Little Inspirationa´s last blog post..When the Sun Won’t Come Out
Thanks Barbara for keeping on with this series. You are helping a lot of people, and not just the blogs who you discover, but the audience that finds them too 🙂
Miguel de Luis´s last blog post..The writer’s report: Setting the novel up
Welcome Jay! You have a very nice blog. I love the clean fresh look. The colors aren’t overwhelming and doesnt’ take away from the important part, your words. I’m not sure I’ve ever been compelled to go hang out at an airport, but it makes for a great lesson.
Barb,
This post reminded me of a question I’ve been mulling around on how to get more readers/commenters. If you (or anyone) only have about an hour to devote to promoting your blog, where would you spend it? Commenting on other blogs, twitter, facebook, digg, etc. If there’s a past post that covers this, just point me in the right direction and I’ll read up! Thanks,
Debbie
Debbie Yost´s last blog post..Special Exposure Wednesday – Sweaters
Jay
Congrats! … great insights and perspective.
Barbara
Very nice spotlight and focus … you teased out the finer points and illustrated depth beyond the tip of the iceberg.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Strategic Stories
Barbara, thanks so much for directing us to blog’s like Jay’s. It’s a great service–to the blogger and all of us who are readers, questioners, and wanderers…
Jay, it sounds like we approach blogging in much the same way, and are drawn to similar topics. I’ll look forward to digging into your site more soon.
Kristin T. (@kt_writes)´s last blog post..A less intentional social life
Hi Jay! I can’t wait to dive into your blog!
Tracy´s last blog post..Things you could do while I am sick
Hi Jay! Wow! Just read your first post and this is GREAT! There’s always room for one more in my RSS list!!
Welcome to one of the nicest corners of the web – the BWAB community!!! Barbara has provided a wonderful place for bloggers to learn, discover and share!
Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Social Media is Simply Communication on Steroids
Hi Davina – Thank you. His blog is good, isn’t it?
Hi Ribbon – Thank you for visiting Jay’s blog and for the heads up.
Hi Jay – You’re very welcome. I’m guessing anyone who reads your blog will be subscribing. I know I did.
Hi Ling – Thank you for your support.
Hi Wendi – From one NBOTW to another. 🙂
Hi Miguel – You’re welcome. And thank you for your kind words.
Hi Debbie – Thank you for your support.
Re: Your question. I would spend my time commenting on other blogs. I don’t think I have a post in the archives, but your comment is a great idea for a future post. Thank you.
Hi J.D. – Thank you. It was hard picking what to showcase as all of Jay’s posts are so well written. He also shares his poetry in some of his older posts.
Hi Kristin – You’re welcome. With so many great blogs out there, it’s hard to just pick one a week.
Hi Tracy – Thank you for visiting Jay’s blog.
Hi Kathy – Thank you for your kind words and for reading Jay’s work. It’s great, isn’t it?
Hi Jannie – You’re welcome. Yes. Awesome thoughts abound in Jay’s blog.
Wow. The train of life analogy. Allowing oneself to heal. Outsmarting the cow. Some truly awesome thoughts there!
Thanks for a stunning NBOTW pick.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Like a bord on a wire, 4
Hi Barbara – I remember that struggle well. It’s great to read stories like this and see how much BWAB is helping new bloggers.
Now I definitely need to read this new blog. That snippet from “Wrong Trains, Airports and Relationships” is awesome. I know before I see it that this is going to be a great blog.
Cath Lawson´s last blog post..There’s Always A New Kind Of Shit To Deal With
Hi Jay, I just popped over to your site. Your writing is authentic. Posts are beautifully written.
Barbara, you continue to inspire me on how we can help newbies on the journey. I’m assisting one right now in setting up her site. It’s going to be a blast!
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Installing Love On the Human Computer
Hi Jay and Barbara,
Barbara – you’re choice looks awesome this week, once again I feel much positivity coming from this site.
Jay – Congratulations on this very fine honor! You’re site is wonderfully written, and I look forward to more visits. Best of luck to you in all the future holds!
Lance´s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Another great choice Barbara and I enjoyed my first look around…I want to wait to comment on the blog until tomorrow when I have more time to hang around and read ….
I sure do look forward to your new finds and as I have been looking at engineering blogs all afternoon…Wow was this a refreshing change – very good writing ability
Thank you
Patricia´s last blog post..Diva Model on the Runway – Heads Up!
A great pick this week! Thank you.
Caroline´s last blog post..Photo challenge
Barbara,
You know, there is a special place in all of our hearts for you. Your way of encouraging people is a treasure.
Jay, a warm welcome. Barbara has built a wonderful community an it’s great to have you here.
If there’s ever anything I can do, just let me know.
Cheers
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..Harriet Tubman keeps my writing going
Great posts – thanks for telling us about this awesome blog. Off to check it out.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Accepting personal responsibility for our fulfillment in life
Yep. You’ve chosen another fine NBOTW. I read a couple of Jay’s entries and You were right when you stated on twitter that you thought I would enjoy his blog. I really have some catching up to do. Keep up the WONDERFUL work here, Barbara!
Scott´s last blog post..Rehab Reflections: The Final Entry – What A Day
Welcome Jay! The way you put folks coming and leaving our lives is excellent.
Barbara … You have found another fine blog.
Thank you.
Linda´s last blog post..What A Way To Go – – Green
I love the train analogy. I especially like the “letting go” part. We need to enjoy the people we are with while we have them, but we can’t get too attached that we don’t let them be free.
So many parents hold on to their kids instead of letting them get their bumps and bruises. I will be a father soon and I hope to remember this message.
Karl Staib – Your Work Happiness Matters´s last blog post..Design Friendly Atmosphere
Those are all wonderful quotes!
Hi Catherine – Those early days were a struggle, weren’t they? Stories like this from new bloggers bring it all back.
Hi Evelyn – Thank you. That is so sweet of you to help another new blogger by helping her set up her site. Isn’t that a great feeling?
Hi Lance – Thank you. I’m guessing you’ll enjoy Jay’s blog. It’s another good one.
Hi Patircia – Thank you. If you’ve been looking at engineering blogs, Jay’s will be a great change.
Hi Caroline – You’re welcome.
Hi George – Thank you very much for your kind words.
Hi Alex – You’re welcome.
Hi Scott – Thank you. I’m happy to hear you like my pick.
Hi Linda – You’re welcome.
Hi Karl – Those are great messages, aren’t they?
Hi Tea House Blossom – Thank you.
Hello everyone,
Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comments and feedback. I have really enjoyed meeting you all, and reading your blogs. Barbara has certainly built an amazing community here, and I am so proud to be a part of it now! I enjoyed my time as NBOTW, and I look forward to all of the new blogs that will come my way (starting today).
Thank you again for your support. You have all helped me more than you realize. I deeply appreciate it.
Jay Schryer´s last blog post..The Spirituality of Disability