You may have noticed that recently I joined the “Wordless Wednesday” bandwagon. But I’m not very good at being wordless. So, I’ve decided that I’ll rotate between “Wordless Wednesday” where you get a picture with no words, and “Why do I…” Wednesday. On “Why do I…” days I’m going to try to address reasons I do things. Like why do I blog, take so many pictures, want to have so many kids…things like that! So…for starters, I’m going to focus on something that’s been travelling around the blog-o-sphere: Why do I blog? Through the website of my friend Kate, I found this post. And a few days later I ran into this blog by my friend over at CityStreams. So after seeing those, I started to wonder…why do people blog? Why do I blog? Well, a quick Google search will give you thousands of responses to that first question. My favorite thing I saw while perusing the results from my Google search was this. I don’t know this Anne Matthewson person, but I like what she has to say:
Herman Melville put it best when he said, “We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.” A perfect description of blogging, don’t you think?
I started blogging some years ago largely to pass time and share experiences. A small part of me, however, was selfishly hoping for admiration and affirmation; a shallow attitude I’ve long abandoned. Eventually, I discovered the joy found via “invisible threads” and “sympathetic fibers” – those human connections made along the way. Blogger tend to be a lovely comfort of strangers.
So after I tried to avoid the question I’d posed for myself by reading about other people, I figured I might as well take a stab at it. I now know why other people blog, but what about me?? I don’t have a big “following”, although I’m finding out that I have a few “lurkers” out there! 🙂 So it’s not the feedback I’m searching for (although it is nice). (Hint, hint: leave a comment.)
I think, for me and for millions of other people, blogging is just theraputic. Typing out all my thoughts is much cheaper than paying a therapist! You guys get to hear things that I would otherwise often only tell my bestest buddies or Marshall. I would never probably never admit that I was in over my head to you guys if we were face-to-face. And I know that I would never bring up this topic in polite conversation. (Well, maybe I would…but I wouldn’t talk about it to just anyone!) But here in bloggyland, there’s a freedom. Freedom to speak freely. Say what I think. Talk about what’s on my mind. And there is so much more on my mind, but it is time for me to go to Vacation Bible School with the kiddos…so maybe more on this another “Why do I…” Wednesday!
Hey Bridget – I must admit that I am one of your ‘lurkers.’ I found your blog through CityStreams – I have known her since middle school. And I have also known Marshall since I was old enough to remember – his parents were always such good friends to mine growing up – so I have enjoyed keeping up with you and your family! When I saw the comment about the lurkers, I felt I needed to introduce myself instead of just reading 🙂 You guys have the most beautiful children – and I have enjoyed watching them grow through your pictures! There are times when you show little Em that she looks JUST like Olivia. And there are times when Tucker looks like Marshall 🙂 And of course, I can see you in both of them!! 🙂
Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself! I have a blog too – but I must say that I haven’t gotten all that good at blogging yet. But it’s a start! Good luck with your move – and I’ll be praying that you get settled back in over there just fine.
Best!
Joy