“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” ~Proverbs 23:18
I’ve spent an amazing three days at Blissdom conference this past month meeting and connecting and reconnecting with my amazing women blogging friends and it’s made me remember one of the things I love about blogging. It has permanence. It lasts.
My Motherly Duties Do Not Last
So few things I do as a mother seem to last. The dishes don’t stay clean for more than – yeah, maybe an hour if I’m lucky. The bed does not stay made and the laundry does not stayed washed. My children DEFINITELY do not stay fed. Lol! Especially when going through a growth spurt or two.
But when I blog, I can have confidence that the little piece of my heart that I share with you will have a future. It will last. Even if this post isn’t read today, right now this second. It will be. Read and enjoyed, maybe commented on.
The Blogging Legacy
It’s like another piece in a long-term legacy that collectively adds to my unique contribution to the world. Forever. It’s an amazing feeling when I remember to appreciate it.
On the other hand, it makes me a bit humble. Encourages me to remember what some of the panelists shared at the conference – Is what I’m posting of value? Does it have worth?
If the only way someone had to KNOW ME was through my blog, would it be someone worth knowing? I wonder. What would these words say about me as a person. That I’m passionate. Wordy. Follow a wide variety of interests. Lose my temper. Love my family. Try. Always.
In what ways has your blog renewed your hope? What does it mean to you that you’ll have a future undeniable? Incapable of being cut-off?
Hi, Angela.
Firstly, yes. I think that even if only through your blog, you are a person worth knowing. You’re thoughtful and considerate and your timely blog posts have taught me a great deal about blogging, about myself and my own goals and, I think, more than a little about you too, because you pour your heart and soul into this blog. Or at least that’s the feeling I get when I read it.
As far as your work as a mother not lasting, I agree with you but disagree with you at the same time. No, the dishes don’t stay washed, the beds don’t stay made and the kids don’t stay fed. Yes, there’s always something a mother has to do. (I’m speaking as someone who’s not a mother, but I think I speak truth…LOL.) So, those things don’t last. But what does last is the love, compassion and confidence you’ve inspired in your children. And I have no doubt that your kids have all of those things and more.
As for me, my goals with my blog are a bit different than yours. For me, I will be happy if I can educate even a few pet owners and save a few animals from having to suffer as a result of lack of knowledge or, worse yet, misinformation. The more people I can reach, the better. What you’ve taught me through your blog and your other writings and communications is helping me do that. My blog has gone from struggling to get a handful of viewers daily to getting between 50-75 viewers daily on average. It’s still only a start but I can see the progress and that’s encouraging. And one of the things that I find most rewarding is when I get a thank you message or note of encouragement from someone saying that one of my articles or posts helped them. To me, that’s probably one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.
Honestly, I think we’re both leaving permanent marks in our own ways. And I think we both, together with so many of colleagues in the blogging community, have much to be proud of.
Angela,
So true on a mother’s work never being done. I also know that as a mom, I have to have other outlets in my life than my children. They can’t be everything to me. So, yes, blogging is so important, if that is one thing that makes me tick. (And it is.)
Great to follow you on Twitter, etc. I’d love to someday make it to Blissdom.
Blessings to you and your family,
Jennifer
I feel the same way. Blogging from the heart leave such a record of time and space. I’ve had the opportunity to clean up some of my archives ( terrible MSword symbols before I knew) Reading those posts I was right back there again.
I talked about a mother’s attitude yesterday and I think that BlissDom was a great place to meet so many wise women. I’m glad to have met you that first night and had the opportunity to chat with you.
Blogging has renewed my sense of accomplishment in an area outside of motherhood. I’ve posted on this topic a few times, but I love feeling the other pieces of myself – the “non-mommy” side – and blogging fulfills that.
I’m starting to be seen as a helpful resource for new bloggers & that thought makes it all worth it. That’s how I want me/my blog to always be remembered. Whether it’s offering info, sharing insight, or making people think, that’s what I love!
We’ve heard it time and time again, but blogging is an outlet. Whether we do it for the sheer joy of having a place to say what’s on our hearts, or for business purposes, blogging gives a mother a space to create, to speak her mind, and to connect with other adults.
Our children will not be in our homes forever. While they are here we cherish them, but someday our homes will be empty and we’ll wonder, what now? If we’ve spent the past 20 years focusing on nothing but our kids we won’t know who were are, or where to go from here.
Ang, I love this post!
I never thought of it this way, but I love the thought that are kids can see our blog somewhere down the road and get a different perspective on what their mom was like.
Hi Angela, I always enjoy reading your blog and so I nominated you for a little “blog award” that was passed on to me. I hope you enjoy it. http://ideasbygenna.blogspot.com/2010/03/bright-spot-in-darkness.html
I love this. Yes, permanence in a life where almost NOTHING is permanent. 🙂