Thoughts on Blogging: How Blogging Has Changed Me.
I began blogging on November 1st, 2019. My goal was to write one blog a week for a year. I am a little behind, I should have 34 and I only have 30. So, I have three months to make up four blogs. I am not unhappy with that record and am optimistic that by the first of November I will have achieved my goal of 48 blogs in a year.
Writing has changed me (which was my goal, personal growth). It feels like writing has changed me in three ways. First, I have been astounded at how many people have read the blog and commented on it. My most read blog was on December 29, 2019 entitled “Reflections on The Closing of the American Mind, 30 Years Later” which had 141 readers. My least read blog published on June 23 was “I am not Francis of Assisi but…” with 25 readers. I have averaged 64 readers a blog. I am blown away that 64 people would take the time to read what I am thinking about. I feel truly honored! When Paul first challenged me to write he said that he was sure that there were people who were interested in what I have to say, I wasn’t so sure. However, I am grateful to all of you who have read what I have written.
I am curious why some blogs are read more than others. I tend to think that my most read blogs are the one that are seen on Facebook when people have a few minutes to click on the link. I feel like some titles are more interesting than others, but I don’t think I am very good at giving good titles to my blogs. I can’t believe that “Reflections on The Closing of the American Mind, 30 Years Later” was especially good or that “I am not Francis of Assisi but…” was especially bad. Would love to hear from any of you about your experience reading the blog or why you choose to read some and not others. I am curious.
I never really thought anyone would read my blog, so to see that 25 people (my low readership) have read the blog causes me to feel very grateful. I have read how many people have their emotions soar when they get a lot of hits and feel devastated when they get only a few hits on social media. (However, I am sure that an average of 64 hits a week would be disappointing to anyone looking for self-validation. But because this blog was about my growth and NOT self-validation or to gain fame, I am just fine with 25 readers). Although I do not write for self-validation and my heart doesn’t soar or crash based on readership, I am encouraged by how popular my blog has been.
Second, knowing that I want to write every week has kept me alert to what I am thinking and feeling. As soon as I finish one blog I am thinking, “what will I write next”? Thinking about what I will write is often what I am thinking about when I go to sleep at night and throughout most days. This has been an unexpected gift. Even if no one was reading, it keeps me alert to what I am thinking and feeling. I have done many different things over the years to slow life down. I have always been aware that my life is like a breath on a cold winter day, it only appears for a brief time and I don’t want to miss it. Blogging has helped me to slow down and pay attention. I am really glad that my blogging isn’t limited to writing like a pastor to his church, or an author promoting a book, or entrepreneur promoting a business or brand. There is nothing wrong with writing as a pastor, author, or entrepreneur; but life is so much more than just what we do, I am glad my blog is as broad as my thinking.
Finally, blogging has made me a better writer and a more careful thinker. It has always been easier for me to express my thoughts verbally than in writing. I have always enjoyed “thinking out loud”. I still love this form of interaction. Thinking out loud gives me the chance to immediately clarify, reframe, retreat, or apologize. I love being with other people, thinking, exploring and “trying out” new ideas. I think that this form of communication also builds friendships and deepens relationships. I also think that our culture is moving away from this kind of communication. It seems to me that there is often an unspoken demand that you agree with the person speaking, and if you don’t agree with the speaker, and voice an alternative opinion, you set yourself up for verbal abuse or worse. And because conversation has become so dangerous, thinking out loud or voicing an opposing opinion, is just avoided. But, because writing has been difficult for me and speaking has been easy, most of my life I have not tried to put my thoughts in writing.
This changed in November when I started to blog. Blogging has forced me to put my thoughts in writing. This hasn’t been easy. Most of my blogs take several hours to write. I have to worked hard to find the right words to express what I am thinking. I have tried not to use hyperbole to make a point, which sadly, I often do in conversation. (I have been in a battle most of my life to NOT use hyperbole, but it “just happens”. Debbie is often the one who corrects me on the spot when I overstate. I love her for that. Well, most of the time I love her for that, sometimes it is just annoying.)
When I started the blog, I decided I would publish the blog without Debbie reading or giving any corrections. Over the last six years she has proof read all my papers for school, not an easy task, and I thought she needed the break. However, there were so many typos in my first few blogs it was crazy to continue down this path. So, since December Debbie has given great editing advice. She uses a red pen, which I believe has run out of ink twice. However, over the last couple of months she has returned my blogs with fewer and fewer red marks. I am getting better!
So, I have acquired three very valuable benefits from writing. First, I am encouraged and find I have more courage to express what I am thinking. Second, my life is slower, and I have gotten better at paying attention to what is happening in my soul. Finally, I have improved in my writing and thinking. With so many benefits I may continue after November. But I will cross that bridge when I get there.
As always, thank you for reading.
