I started blogging for a number of reasons. Like most who take on this challenge, yes, I would like to gain a big enough following to get advertisers and make some extra money. That would be awesome! But, I also wanted a place to write, because it does seem to be therapeutic for me. Finally, and most importantly, I wanted to connect with others and offer help, hope, and inspiration.
But, I wondered what I would have to offer that would be unique and worthwhile. My family situation is a little unique, but perhaps it is really our commonalities that make us most appealing.
Even though I have only been doing this a short time, I have already doubted myself and some of my posts. The next day at work, I find myself questioning if I should have said this or that. But, then I remind myself that the times that I have allowed myself to be most vulnerable have been most rewarding.
I was discussing this with a friend the other day; I told her that I had started blogging and it is kind of scary. But, that I knew if I wanted it to amount to anything, that I was going to have to take the risk and be real. She was there during a presentation I gave a few months ago where I talked about overcoming anxiety. In my presentation, I did not hold back about some of the unhealthy ways I had tried to cope and some of the negative thoughts I had during that difficult time in my life. The topic was so well received and participation so active, that I only got through half of my material. She and I agreed that the reason is because people want to know they are not alone. . . that we are normal in our weirdness.
So, I’ll put my weirdo light out there to find the other weirdos whenever I feel moved to. And, I guess if I feel some anxiety about it, I’ll take that to mean I have put out something real and hopefully that means it has the potential to be worthwhile.
All of this deep thought got me to thinking about how important it is to put ourselves out there, in big and small ways. A couple years ago, I went through a season of doing what I thought were really thoughtful things for others, and getting zero acknowledgement for any of it, not even small “thank you’s”. I tried to stay positive, reminding myself that God saw my efforts, even if they weren’t noticed by others. And, the things we do for people shouldn’t be for the “thanks”, but it still hurt, and I still got a little down about it. Then, out of the blue, I got a very sincere thank you for something I did not expect to be noticed.
One thing I learned from this is to take that moment to thank someone if they have touched me positively in some way. To take that moment to send an email to let someone know what they did or said made a difference, that it mattered to me. I also know that the negative things we say make a difference too, so we must choose our words wisely and kindly.
I have gifts to offer, and so do you. What you say and do matters, even if it’s not acknowledged right away. You may surprised by the rewards you receive in unexpected places.
By the Author of the blog "Hands On Working Mom"