The last time I dove into blogging it was almost ten years ago (2003 to be exact), and I was struggling with the frustrations and isolation of stay-at-home motherhood and looking for a community of peers to help me make sense of the complexities of my current situation. I found that community and they not only saved my life and sanity, confirming to me that I wasn't alone, they also inspired me daily with their compassion, kindness and wit.
As my kids aged and I found other creative outlets (screenwriting and filmmaking) my blogging fell by the wayside. Facebook status updates became my daily contact with the online community.
Now, I find myself dusting off the old blogging skills because I sense that once again it might just save my life and sanity.
So why now?
As I enter midlife, the challenges are so much greater than even new motherhood was. While my own midlife crisis hit me hard, knocking the wind out of me, I am at least mature (and hopefully wise) enough to realize that this major life transition -- like all others -- is offering me an amazing opportunity to redefine who I am and how I want the second half of my life to play out. It is natural to struggle with identity in midlife and take stock, I know...but it doesn't make it any less painful.
As I said, I once was part of an active online blogging community but I really lost my taste for blogging after taking a paid job to cover American Idol. There was too much snarkiness, negativity and outright hostility coming from the readers...I didn't feel inspired by their compassion, kindness and wit like I had my earlier followers. I felt disappointed and disenchanted and often times outright sickened. While the internet has potential for good, it also has the equal potential to bring out the bad in people. Even normal people can become really MEAN when they hide behind "Anonymous."
This blog is part of my attitude shifting -- a CONSCIOUS EFFORT to practice love, nurture love, share love and inspire love in myself and others.
I'm not perfect. There are days I am still bitter, and frustrated, and scared. But I am trying to change...and hoping that in doing so I will inspire change in those around me.
Ultimately, I believe we have a responsibility to use our VOICES and our WORDS in constructive ways that inspire courage, hope, and love, rather than just add more noise/garbage. Criticizing others and tearing them down is easy. Showing compassion takes grace.
So the plan is to write about LOVE in the hopes that it will permeate my thoughts, my feelings and my actions...until it is second nature to me.
I will still offer opinions on even distasteful topics (like Joe Paterno's scandal or the Aurora shootings). The purpose of turning towards love isn't to bury my head in the sand. The goal is to only join the discussion if I can offer a different take on it, look at it through a loving lens, and see if there is anything of value that can be learned from such things.
Hope you'll check in regularly and join the discussion.
For more information on this blog, go here.
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