I confess I feel some measure of unsettling surprise that I’ve I’ve been so neglectful of my blog for such an extended period. When something lies fallow for an extended period, I think it’s always worth considering whether it’s something I need to consciously release and whether I’m ready to do that, or if it still holds a pull for me and I need to surrender. With regard to blogging, I find the latter is true. I love this little platform; this opportunity to share little bits of my thoughts and life. Whether they’re seen and/or read widely or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me. It’s the offering to allow myself to be seen, and to share space with others in the blogging community whether as writers or readers that delights me.
It rather delights me as well that blogging is leaning into becoming a lost art. Those of us hanging on are an interesting species and the conservationist in me wants to see our endangered status doesn’t become an extinct one. It kind of makes me smile when someone asks me “what’s the point?” when there are other methods of online social connection. It reminds me of my husband’s classical education where he was taught Latin and Greek and read the classic texts by ancient authors and philosophers. I love that we can be both “old school” and participate in evolving technologies as well. The best of all worlds isn’t it?
And so I offer myself the same compassion and non-judgment I’d hold for anyone else who has let a practice lapse, and remember how all of life is an ebb and flow. My blogging may have been in an ebb, but it feels like it’s about to flow again. And who am I to argue with that?
One of the invitations I’ve extended to myself this year is to deepen my devotion to practices that nourish, nurture, and delight me. That in itself feels like a very Venusian practice. And since today is Friday and as such is under the auspices of Venus – that bringer and delighter in beauty and love -I thought I’d pick up my old practice of sharing a few links of things that have amused, delighted, and/or captured my attention of late. It’s always good to share the wealth and spread the love, isn’t it?
- Arkadia Zoomquilt – I find this utterly mesmerizing and stress-reducing.
- Love the Bees, Love the BeeChicas
- New Whale discovered
- I’m fascinated by time, and I love this article called Arrows of Time.
So there you have it – a little grabbag of things to explore and savor if you’re so inclined. Now tell me about you. What are you delighting in? Devoted to? Do tell – you know I’d to hear.
Your attitude toward blogging is perfect. It is our space to be ourselves, and I love the ability to express myself fully and tell stories. Sometimes I have words and other times not, but the blog waits for me patiently.
I love the image of patiently waiting blogs Margaret. And I commend you on your dedication to yours.
Hari OM
I now wish I had taken a little note of where I read the article just recently that was discussing the resurgence of blogging – that perhaps through the last year folk had come to understand again the ‘slower living’ benefits and that included the social media aspects that are unavoidable now. There is a drop (apparently) in the usage of things like Twitter and such and more blogs are again being opened… I never used blogging as anything other than its original intention – as an online journal for ‘thinking out loud’ and if that leads to sharing and connecting, all the better!!!
The drift through Arkadia was beautiful but it took a while for the screen to stay still after!!! Other articles also interesting – am reserving the time one for later. YAM xx
That’s interesting Yamini – I probably wouldn’t have guessed a shift to less social media platforming and more blogging. But then again, I think it will take some time to sort through the shifts that 2020/21 have brought us. But I’m glad you’ve remained stalwart in your dedication to your blog and the use you intend for it.
Hi Debra…It’s been a long time since I wrote on your blog and today you caught my attention …I like the more almost personal touch some of my blog sites use…I gave myself in 2012 permission to just be me and chime in only once in a while…..I do miss the phone calls with the Sacred Rose Council….but the energy I get from the newsletter helps sustain the month…many like me stay the course…knowing there is available help from others who are not seen but are with us…and I feel that there only a few “true” teachers gifting us …
So continue to amaze and as you so eloquently put it this is what delights me.
What a delight to hear from you Edy – and I think your self-permission is a wise and wonderful thing to honor. I sometimes think about those calls channeling the Sacred Rose Council – perhaps I’ll return to doing an occasional one again sometime. But I’m glad you find my monthly newsletter supportive – and I thank you for your kind words. May you always know you are surrounded with love and support and infinitely resourced.
Our recent talks about websites and blogging, and now more food for thought here, Deborah. And I love the links. You discover such interesting sites. I loved drawing some icebergs – one of mine sunk deep and then flipped over. Nice life metaphor!
I love that you’ve actively worked to create a right-fit blogging/website experience for yourself Carol. I think that’s a most wonderful thing. And I love your “phoenix” iceberg – makes me smile.
I agree that blogging seems to be a lost art. I don’t get many readers anymore but then I also don’t read many anymore either or not very often so what can I say? I can’t let go of it either totally. Partly I do it for myself, I like to look back sometimes and see where I was at a certain time (geographically as well as blogging-wise). It’s not really a diary but a record of things for me and if someone else wants to look now and then, that’s nice, too. I do miss the old days a little when it was all the online rage.
I don’t claim to know many things, but one thing I’m willing to declare is my belief that no matter how we navigate our relationship to blogging, it’s perfect for us personally. Whether we hold on to them tightly or let them drift away, I think however we’ve engaged with them has been useful, and hopefully delightful.
Oh my that Zoomquilt! I am glad to see you whenever you make an appearance here. I have been neglecting my blog too, but looking forward to the A to Z in April. I have my theme and most of my info gathered, just need to get writing and picture taking! Happy Friday.
I’m looking forward to A-to-Z’ing again this year as well. While I considered once again at the end of last year’s ride that I might want to prepare my posts in advance, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to do that. I think I like the mad rush of the April madness. Whatever I finally decide, I’m sure we’ll have fun.
I’ve returned to blogs this year – not so much writing my own, which I never really stopped doing, but searching out other people’s. I’ve been finding short-form, algorithm-driven social media increasingly stressful and guilt-inducing, and have been appreciating the slower, deeper, blog form, adding quite a few to my feed reader in recent weeks. Lovely to see you back.
Thanks Kathleen – it’s lovely to be back. I think I’ll always lean into slower and deeper, so I’m grateful for the blogs still inviting that kind of connection. And may we all find our ways out of stress- and guilt-inducing options!
It’s lovely to see your posts popping up again Deborah – I’ve not been very active myself and have also been wondering if it’s time to stop rabbiting on here, but then I get caught up in everyone’s news and views again and it’s such a delight:)
The zoomquilt was absolutely amazing and fairplay to the people who have thought up the idea of using underground passages for mushrooms. Will get back to the others soon.
Stay safe and well – we’re all getting so tired now and needing to be out and about, even a bit … but hopefully it’ll all be over soon enough.
Happy International Women’s Day
It’s lovely to connect again Fil. I’m resigned to letting my heart love what it loves, and blogging and bloggers are definitely a part of it. 🙂
Wishing you safety and ease, and hopefully a return soon to the kind of activity that nourishes your soul deeply.