The Joys Of Blogging

THE JOY OF BLOGGING

Finding the right words to describe how blogging has enriched and changed my life is very difficult. I remember the morning I clicked on the option to start a blog, mainly out of boredom and curiosity. At least it would be a place where prying eyes could not access my thoughts and feelings. I distinctly had the impression it would be a private kind of diary, which no one would read or could possibly be interested in. How wrong can you be?

We all know the regular habit of blogging helps fine-tune our writing skills. We are all aware that offloading and sharing problems is great therapy. We have all at some stage read another member’s blog and been reduced to tears or doubled up with laughter. We have all tried to reach out and offer support to those experiencing difficulties or enthused when someone succeeds with an ambition. We have all learnt a great deal about other places, other writers, other generations and other ways of looking at things. These are the accepted treasures of belonging to such a wonderful blogging community as the one at WDC.

But what amazes me more than anything is how much I have learnt about myself and how just being little old me has brought me friendships and experiences I could never have imagined in those early days of blogging

Almost every day is a special one now and almost every day brings a surprise or an unexpected smile. That’s a huge improvement for someone who always thought of herself as a grumpy old woman. I get up earlier and in a better frame of mind, wondering what’s in my mailbox on the site and what’s been written in Blogville while I’ve been sleeping. My mornings are enriched by reading, laughing, sympathising and empathising with my many friends around the world. My knowledge in many subjects has improved, I have more things to think and talk about with people in my real life and reading about others’ lives has helped me put my own into better perspective.

I don’t actively plan what to write in my blog, but be it a mundane or special day, my mind is now always open to the opportunities for blogging. This can turn a very frustrating day into a comedy, or an everyday task into a literary challenge. The possibilities are endless and the desire to write and read blogs helps me through the more unpleasant or humdrum activities.

Who would have imagined that within a year I would receive woodwork from New Zealand, evil eyes from Greece, jewellery from Texas and clothes, shoes, cosmetics and ducks from California? My horizons have broadened beyond my wildest dreams and the lovely friends I’ve made help restore my faith in humanity. My determination to succeed with goals has strengthened too. Once something is stated in my blog, it’s almost like a contract. ‘I will lose weight by the summer,’ I wrote in February. Well summer is here (I’m told) and I’ve succeeded, and part of that success has been down to the support and encouragement of blog friends. Reach for the stars it seems – anything is possible here in Blogville.

Not to mention the improvement in lifestyle for my many ducks. Instead of lying listlessly in their hammock, they now fight in wars, perform miracles, attend photo sessions for publicity and are always eager to read and discuss the latest duck activities at WDC.

Which brings me to the most important thing blogging has done for me. It has given me a confidence I’ve never really felt before. My obsession with things like lists of five, my silly antics with ducks and bears, my regular grumping and what I thought pretty ordinary life and personality have not only been accepted by other readers, but actively encouraged and enjoyed. How wonderful is the feeling to see traits of Scarlett all over blogville, to know others are affected and amused by what some would consider childish and a little bizarre. It’s almost like being famous. lol For once, I feel safe amongst like-minded people, happy to just be myself and honoured my words can touch the hearts and lives of others and make them laugh, cry or feel inspired. Isn’t this what we all set out to do as writers? But in the land of blog, it doesn’t have to be a cleverly written story or a brilliant plot to stir readers, more a simple matter of being a human being, warts and all. That is what has helped me to be prouder of who I am and for that I shall be eternally grateful to the blog and its readers.


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