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anchors, blog, blogger, Eclecticism, Motivation, readers, Writer, writing
For years I resisted writing a blog because it was part of my stance against technology waving me under its time-wasting spell with gadgets demanding my attentions, devouring my bank of life minutes down in insatiable swallows of hours at a time. At the urging of writer friends, I finally caved this past spring and began writing these pages. Yes, there are days when I spend far too much time here but the greater portion of that time is spent reading all the other brilliant writers out there. I am learning so much from all of them, I can’t learn it fast enough. So much talent in our world, I’m so grateful to be among them.
Still, I think of myself as an accidental blogger. I never thought I would be writing a blog much less look forward to it as much as I do because of all the readers who take time out of their own precious days to stop by and read, comment or like what I have to say. There have been moments when I wanted to pack the whole thing in because I felt like I just had too much to cope with in my life to produce anything worth reading at all and whatever I produced that day, probably wasn’t. But this wonderful community of brilliant minds encouraged me forward not just past the speed bumps in my life but through them. They helped me realize exactly what blogging means to me. It has become a life-line, an anchor in my world. Finding this community has been an unanticipated cruise to the centre of me.
Until my thirties, I didn’t even like the way I looked. I doubted every single thing about myself. Including my writing. The only way I knew I did anything noteworthy was if an outside source awarded or recognized me for it. It seems ironic to have reached a point in my life where I don’t require external approval or encouragement as a measure of my worth and am receiving more of both than ever before in my life via subscribers/followers and readers of my blog. On my best days here, I love reading your pages and what you have to say of mine and on my worst days, writing something for you saves my life. It is, at once, my anchor and an experience of self-discovery whispering into the ethers of my mind, returning back to me as the ineffable.
Eclectic, eccentric and always earthy is how I describe my pages here. I once listed Ethereal as my location but thought it sounded, well, too ethereal, and I do not mean lofty, I mean, airy-fairy. Eclecticism is reflected in my pages with opinion, poetry, fiction, creative writing, sharing videos, slices of life and sometimes plain old rants that spare the wall a hole or two. (just kidding – maybe – haha) Multi-faceted is how I describe myself and what I write but the reality is it applies to each and every one of us. We are wielders and breakers and candle-stick takers with inner workings that tick on long past the stilling of our bodies for the night. There is a lover, a friend, a parent, a relative, an activist, a thinker, a poet, a leader, a follower, a believer, a writer, a speaker, a doer, a dreamer, a giver, a taker, a breaker, a maker, a singer of something in all of us and, I believe, much more to come before we sleep the final sleep. Daughter, sister, friend, lover, wife, employee, coordinator, role model/mentor, neighbour, confidant, thinker, leader, manager, activist, writer, blogger, follower and Highly Sensitive Person are all things I am. Loyalty, Integrity, Fairness, Kindness, Good Intentions and being trustworthy are qualities I’m known for personally and professionally and would like to be remembered for.
Everything in my world is constantly changing, I believe we are all constantly evolving into our “next best self.” The only constant for me is writing, writing, writing. An “Accidental Blogger” is what I have become. Anchors away – as this writing community steadies my sojourn through this next chapter of my life into a future none of us can predict with any certainty.
What constant keeps you anchored through all life’s changes and challenges?
I am an accidental blogger also. One of my friends on facebook, not even a real friend actually a farmville neighbor posted a link to her blog. She suffered from an eating disorder and it was an aspect of what she wrote about. I shortly after started blogging occasionally, I have always been a writer. As I gained followers, subscribers and people who commented that offered understanding and support, I was hooked. I am many things although my blog tends to focus on mental illness. My constants that keep me anchored are writing, weekly counseling sessions, and my sister’s dog.
Nice to know I don’t accidentally blog alone, lol. Thank you for visiting and for sharing so openly with all of us. We are lucky to have such “real” life people among us who are not afraid to share their experiences. Farmville, huh, that is most original accidental blogging, lol. Glad you are here with us
Well I’m so happy you are “accidentally” coz I’m so glad you write what you do. I find you very interesting.
Thanks, Aneesa, and I, you
As the music changes, my love for life and family steadies fears and I dance toward the next song.
Beautifully stated. I love the way you dance to the music of change
I enjoy your blog so keep on going. Funny, I started blogging because I was trying to discuss a topic with a person that had a WordPress blog and she kept blocking my posts because she didn’t like my arguments against her position. The one aspect I have been a little dissapointed with at WordPress is that debate seems to be lacking. People that may disagree simply give up or don’t address the topic. Oh well…that is their right…all we can do is share what is on our minds and they are there to be discussed or ignored…but often we grow through debate…learn different aspects that may in fact change our original position on important points.
Thanks for the encouragement, Brian. I don’t mind respectfully disagreeing but I think most of us don’t want to appear foolish out here on what I call the “evernet.” This could be why debates are lacking. Lively discussion is always fun and informative. If I run across any I think you might like, I’ll let you know. kvennarad and ermilia are on my blog roll and both/all great minds to debate with, so is lifeatfiftysomething and Jack Viere (not on my blog roll but I’ll try to find the link for you, I believe he enjoys debate as much as you do) None afraid to speak their minds (not that others on my blogroll aren’t, but these strike me as most enjoyable for you, if I was right about any of them, let me know
LOL…kvennarad scares me…although from our slight rants into economics…I think we are mostly in agreement so doesn’t do much good to argue…in effect…with yourself:) Just got linked up with ermilia…haven’t seen lifeatfiftysomething so will check that out…and Jack and I are linked up but I think we agree on some key points…now you…you are a piece of work that needs to be taken out to the woodshed…ROLMAO
uhhhmmm I don’t mind the woodshed but did I ever tell you I fell down the outhouse hole when I was little? Besides, I can not only chop your kindling pretty well but I can also buck the trees up for logs with a chain saw. So, if you sincerely need help in the woodshed, give me a holler lol
<- is SO scary!
LOL and so… a debate begins… LOL LOL
Accidental:
Accidental sharps, flats, naturals: signs of chromatic alteration, raising or lowering notes a tone or semitone, strictly so called only when they occur before particular notes, and not in the signature of the various keys.
Accidental colours: complementary colours not actually caused by light, but due to subjective sensation.
In painting, an unusual effect of strong light and shade in a picture produced by the introduction of the representations of artificial light, such as those proceeding from a fire, candle, or the like.
A casual or subsidiary property… and in textual criticism, any feature that is non-essential to the author’s meaning.
M (with help from the OED)
Well then… I guess I am actually a strong side effect due to a subjective sensation of artificial light of this backlit screen that gives me a casual or subsidiary property to be enjoyed by all who dare… lol. Thanks or clarifying. I should remember all of that for a whole 10 seconds, my mind is like sieve these days but I appreciate your efforts. When I was in interior design school we learned how to take mistakes and turn them into “features” or happy accidents so I’m just thinking…in the process of my own interior design, I became a happy accident, lol. Are you asleep yet, lol. I nearly am, see you soon, thanks for swinging by, Marie.
J
I am still learning in blogging and every day I learn new things in this community. Like this one you posted “Accidental Blogger”, I learned something in it. I admire your blog, it’s very accommodating and open to everybody. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
Thanks for your visit and kind compliments! I’m glad you find it accomodating and open to everyone here as I have often wondered if it shouldn’t be more focused or specialized somehow but I like the idea that there is something for everyone. Glad you found me, see you again soo
Very nice post, Janice. You seem to have found your grounded self and, for that, I am simply bubbling with joy. And you got me thinking once again!
What keeps me anchored? Since I was a little kid (and didn’t think much about the future or the past) I always had this innate faith that everything would be fine. Maybe I was “in tune” with my Guardian Angel or my dad was watching over me in a way he never would have or could have if alive. I don’t know. But that deep and abiding belief that everything will work out keeps me anchored in the most roiling of seas. Sometimes I lose the feeling and start to worry. Those times are horrible, but they don’t last. I always find my way back to that calm place inside that reassures me, “All is well.” Even when it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
Thanks, Lorna. I must admit I do not know if I have a grounded self so much as grounded moments. After 18 months of loss after loss after loss after loss, I feel like a piece of swiss cheese just trying to fill in the holes I feel shot full of. Just processing, processing, processing. Thank heavens for writing and all you lovely writers around me. You helped to anchor me on days when I was going to pack this site in. I could not even write for over a year, only just started again in March, so glad I stuck with it.
I like what you said about what anchors you. I think I know the deep and abiding belief you speak of because it is also inside me and what has led me this far. But getting back from the “mindflood” of disconnect to it all has been a, continues to be challenging. Thanks for sharing and for all of your calm, unwavering support. Much love,
J
I loved your last paragraph. “Anchors away” indeed, and may the voyage be as fruitful as you could wish
Thanks, Ducky, I’m hoping it is for all of us – that all our voyages and joys are realized! So glad you enjoyed, see you soon
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Looks like you got the hang of it fairly quickly, good for you! Hope you have fun writing your blog
From one Aurora to another ~ I’m an accidental ‘angel’ that was formerly a writer eclectia recently led to wordpress as a HOME for all of our Angel Stuff &Services and have just lightened upon your page ~ what a beautiful wonderful breathing loving page & community ~ maybe I’ll become an accidental blogger too ~ thanks for sharing your talent & gift
Angel Love,
Aurora from Angels LightWorldwide
Heavenly gifts are always welcome in my world and I am glad you enjoyed yourself so much visiting my pages. It is a lovely community, please join us soon, it would be lovely to have you with us, accidental or otherwise. Please come back anytime, your message is so kind, it lifted my spirits and I look forward to reading your pages very soon.
Kindness & Kinship,
Janice (Aurora Morealist)
Clumsy but getting there. There are several Angels recognised for writing & creativity, Archangel Jophiel, Angel Ecanus and Archangel Uriel ~ Archeia (female Archangel) Aurora is the Twin Flame of Uriel!! so… if you ever are creatively stuck call on any or all of these Angels to to inspire you forward. I ask them to send you blessings : )
Angel Love,
Aurora
Oh! How heavenly! Blessings are always good in my world and since it was your gentle boomerang going out to me, it now returns home to you as well, just the law of boomerangs of goodness, lol. Thank you kindly for swinging by again. Lovely new sources of creativity to call upon… I did not know of this Angelic writing and creativity link. See you again soon
Kindness and appreciation to you,
J
I’m more of an accidental writer than blogger because when I was nine I had begun to write but I soon stopped because I was frustrated of my lack of vocabulary, but then later I began to write again, just randomly… and since that I write everyday… be it in my diary on my blog… and you know, I think that these types of accidents are awesome and can literally change people’s life, especially their view of life…
I’d never thought of that I would have a blog someday too; I always tend to write for myself, for fun… but well another accident occurred and I’m here! ^^
Keep blogging Aurora!!
Daphnee, you are a natural talent for sure. To notice your own vocabulary was lacking is quite an achievement. I have attended Creative Writing classes alongside adults who, when told by the instructor that they needed to “grow” their vocabulary, became incensed. Just because we are older does not make us wiser. At all. But some believe it so. In terms of writing, it is not so and wisdom is all relative anyway. You, MD, possess both wisdom and the gift of writer within. So glad you are doing what you do so well, accidental or not, my pleasure to know you