Alright, it's been a while since I've actually written anything here, seeing as my last post wasn't exactly a "post," at least how I categorize them, and the one before that was something I'd written a few months ago.
I've been meaning to write an article for a while about an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for several days, but after many futile attempts, I just can't get it to take the shape that I want. I'm still going to write it, as it is something very important to me. Well, it's something that usually takes an important role in the life of every single person on the planet, and while it usually appears to be a bad thing, I have learned that it can also be a good thing. As anything given to God can be used for good. While I'm still not ready to write substantially on the subject yet, as what I'm mostly fighting with myself about is how much to tell of my own story, I do want to give a bit of an introduction of what should hopefully be coming within the next few days. Lord willing, no later than Sunday night. (Or early Monday morning, however you want to look at it.)
I guess I still haven't mentioned what this "thing" is that I want to write about, have I? In case you haven't noticed, I tend to ramble. I can be quite focused, and all of sudden, something pops into my head and I need to get it down into writing before it flits away and then my focus and direction is all scewed and I have the pleasure (usually) of finding a way to fit my ramble into my original focus.....and I'm rambling again.
Basically, I've been thinking a lot lately about the subject of grief, and how it has affected my life. The hardest thing about writing an article with grief as it's subject, is portraying the grief I went through, without making what caused the grief the focus, as that is not what I want to do. There are some things I feel comfortable sharing about my life, and about what it was that caused me certain griefs, but there are others that I'm not so sure God wants me to share, not because I'm uncomfortable sharing them necessarily, but because drawing attention to them wouldn't enhance the explanation of what it is God is teaching me through grief, nor would it bring Him glory. So that is what I am wrestling with at the moment, and the reason I have been silent on my own blog the last week, even though I haven't been so silent on others.....
So, while I continue to work through this difficult issue in rough drafts saved in both my mind and my trusty Word Pad, I would like to pose a question to the blogosphere: Why do you write?
Not, "Why do you blog?" because with most people, that's pretty easy to figure out, as most blogs have a specific message to get across and specific purpose to their existence. No, my question is why people who have blogs, why do you write? Do you write because it's the only way you can get your beliefs and opinions across in a way that makes sense to you? Or is it more therapuetic? Or is it something else entirely? And regardless of why you do it, what do you do to help you stay motivated?
I understand that's a lot of questions, but I hope people aren't too confused with my disjointedness tonight. I have a lot going through my brain at the moment, so my thoughts are a little jumbled, but also, my hands are cold and I want to hurry up and get this posted so I can jump in bed and settle down with my book. I have to work an 8 hour at the bakery tomorrow, as tomorrow is the bake sale, and I'll basically be up to my neck in cookies cookies cookies. I'll need some "me" time tomorrow morning before I have to leave, so that means I need a good nights sleep so I can wake up early.
Good night blog world, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me soon.
8 comments:
I find it really hard to get down to writing posts.
I have ideas rattling in my head for months and often they never get written.
But when I finally get to writing a post, I sit down and I do not move until it is published on blogger.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
Why do I blog?
My dad makes me, or Kevin goads me, or I'm tagged with a meme. That's not to say I don't like it, though! I'm just not all the great at making myself do it.
Amanda,
I've been reading your blog and I really appreciate everything you have to say. I can see that the Lord is teaching you. Would you do me a favor? Visit this blog:
http://toknowhimmore.blogspot.com/
And get to know her a little. I think there are some things that Holly would say that you would find refreshing. I don't know either of you personally, but in my travels, the Lord has put it on my heart to connect the two of you.
In Christ's amazing love...
Hey Matthew and MD, thanks for the comments, and I know exactly what both of you have experienced in self-inflicted "writer's block." I love to write, but sometimes it's just hard to get myself motivated, and sometimes there are so many things bouncing around in my head I can't pick out just one to focus on and get it written.
That's good advice though Matthew, about once sitting down and writing, not stopping until you're done. I'll definately try to do that from now on. (I usually do, but it's been hard lately.)
Dear Friend, thank you very much for your comment and your encouragement, as well as for pointing out Holly's blog to me. I've been reading her blog for the past half an hour, and I'm really enjoying what I'm reading so far. Thank you very much, and I hope what I write continues to be encouraging.
I don't have one overriding reason for writing. It changes day to day. Part of that probably has to do with the fact that I try to post daily whether I want to write something or not. So sometimes it's just a matter of discipline. There are other times when I'm really peeved by something and want to build an argument so that it becomes more clear in my own mind. Oftentimes writing is just a social thing, a way of keeping social connections going. And sometimes I just want to write something that is confessional (in the religious sense); a post that says what I believe and gives glory to God. Right now, however, I am swimming in a sea of papers and probably won't be writing anything of substance for a few days. (I am making good progress though!)
Amanda,
I write because I feel that others will be benefited by my writings. This would be the main reason. You see, there is so much bad theology out there that has many practical consequences in the lives of Christians! I write because I believe I can be of help to those who are caught in the grip of these theologies. Furthermore, I wish to challenge the 'evidences' of these false theologies for the benefit of others.
Another reason I do so is that I am honed and sharpened in my own positions by responding to the criticisms of others.
I think you can be of benefit to those who have gone through grief when you share how you have successfully dealt with it.
Your fg friend,
Antonio
I write to stay sane. I have so many things jumping around in my brain, I have to get them out somehow, and I've found that the best way to do this is to write.
I only recently got into blogging because although most of my writing is to just get stuff out of head, some of it I think others might be interested in and might be helpful. However, probably 90% of what I write never makes it to my blog(s).
Amanda,
I write for I am compelled to. I even had thought about stopping my blog for awhile but always found more things to write about. It's as if there are countless things that pop into my thoughts that have to be written down. My brother said it the best. He said that when he sees a blank sheet of paper (in this case, an empty Word document) that he has to fill it!
I think it's the writer in me that has to get all of this stuff out in the open.
Continued good luck with your blog!
Randy
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