Why do you blog?

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I love blogging!!!

It's true ~ I love sitting down & composing my thoughts.  I love removing the ugly & writing about the beautiful in this precious life the Lord has blessed me with.  I love being real with you all & sharing about an issue that has been troubling me.  However now & again I feel it is important to reevaluate whatever we are doing.  Asking ourselves if this is what we want to continue doing & why are we doing it?


I regularly do this from time to time with various aspects of my life.  Sure there are the constants ~ my faith, my family, my friendships, but then there are those other things.   It's been over 3 years now of writing here ~ journaling a little of my life here at beautiful Sunnyside. I remember tentatively sitting down & writing my very first post a couple of months after moving here ~  I look back & smile now!  But it has been a wonderful place of preserving various parts of our life & our adjustments to life in the country & the many things we have learned along the way.

So why am I writing all of this?  Well when I came across THIS post it made me think ~ why do I blog?  What are my intentions with this little bit of cyberspace? ~ this one page among millions~.  It's not like I'll ever have a big or popular blog, nor do I have aspirations of making money from it.  In fact I write for fun and so am  pleasantly surprised when the follower count shows that someone else is interested in this little part of my life.
I'll admit  I often get frustrated & regularly suffer from writers block.  I'm not a big talker & although I find it much easier to talk with my fingers, I still suffer from the blank brain syndrome just when I'm putting pressure on myself that I have to come up with a blog post that will WOW you all !!
It's not like I have a particular blog niche.  Sure I write about farming, but I also write about our family, homeschooling, gardening, faith & even give you recipes every so often.  I've often wondered where I fit ~ is there a catagory for "hodgepodge blogs"?
Many times I've considered stopping & sometimes I have taken extended breaks ~ not because I want to, but because to me it's more important to make sure my family, real life & friendships come before it  and sometimes, well life just happens.  Some weeks I can barely get two minutes to sit down at the computer to write (& as for reading ~ I still love you all & will get around to your blogs eventually :) ~ it will be holidays soon!!).  But I often realize that it is this season in life & I wouldn't have it any other way.   I think it's so important to not allow it to come before your priorities.  If you're struggling (trust me I have many times) pray about it & take a break if need be.
From a recent trip to Canberra ~ sitting by Lake Burley Griffin

 As I mentioned, I love blogging ~ I love the outlet it gives me.  I find it an easy hobby & I love the fact that it brings other parts of the world right into my farmhouse.  I love the fact that blogging reduces the isolation of living here somewhere in the middle of Australia where the nearest neighbours is a few kilometres away. I love the fact that some of my old friendships have been able to be salvaged because of the blog world. I just love meeting other ladies from all over the world who have similar interests, desires & priorities.

But as much as I love all that, as much as I thoroughly enjoy every comment that my posts receive, the true reasons I blog is still the original reasons.
*   To glorify the Lord ~ if just one person is encouraged by a post, then it's worth it.  If my humble writings makes one person think about their relationship with the Lord then sitting down here sharing my heart is worth it.

*  To keep our family & friends up to date on our goings on.  We still miss them.....a lot.  Living this far away is never easy ~ it gets easier with time, but there is always that ache of missing them~ you just get used to it.  I love it when my sisters comment, I love it when my Mum knows exactly what I'm talking about because she's seen pictures, I love it when an Aunty talks about something she's read on my blog & I love it when a cousin I haven't spoken to in years says she reads here (HI:) )!  Hearing someone talk about what I've written always makes me smile :)

So welcome to my little bit of the world.  I may not be the most regular blogger, but I hope that what I write brings a smile to your face & you feel like you've visited with a friend!

So how about you ~ why do you blog?  
I'd love to hear...


Blessings

15 comments:

Beth Covalt said...

Oh, Renata. This is lovely. The timing is just perfect for me. You are an encouragement over miles of ocean. Thank you.

Marsel said...

My blogging reasons are the same as yours.

None of my extended family lives anywhere near me, so it's a great way for them to 'see' my kids regularly. My mom will attest that it's not the same as seeing them in person, but it does help!

I am not as consistent about blogging regularly as I would like to be, but as you said...sometimes life happens!!!

junglemama said...

Renata, I heart you! Your spirit is so encouraging! Thanks!

P.S. I think the eggs picture is beautiful.

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

'. Removing the ugly and writing about the beautiful in this precious life the Lord has blessed me with.' Exactly Renata! That is why I blog and I also want to encourage others, for my blog to be an uplifting place to come and visit. I just read the article you linked to. What an encouragement to find someone who wants to encourage us 'village' size bloggers. I call myself a village size blogger - small but hopefully somewhere lovely to visit! And do you know what I think - bigger doesn't mean better. Some of the blogs with huge followings have become overly commercial and impersonal. And then there are the beautiful blogs with stunning photography of those who have 'to die for' homes. I used to have a friend who had a big beautiful home and expansive garden in an affluent area of town. She was a skilled decorator/gardener/cook and had the money to spend on the best furnishings. When we held ladies Bible studies and events there the turnout was always huge. She was forever having to give tours of her house and show people round her garden. She once said to me 'Ann, people come to see my house rather than me.' I was floored but had to be honest and said to her ' Well I think they do really like you, you are a wonderful hostess but look how many come when it is held at my house (A lot less!) so let's be discouraged together!' I just wonder if the same applies to blogs - people are visiting to see the place rather than the person? Just a thought and maybe it's a good reason to stay village size and enjoy more intimate fellowship and develop friendships with those that visit.

debi10kids said...

This was the Perfect post for me to come read tonite as I am finally back writing again and HAD to tell you.
I have so missed blogging, have so missed my dear friends.
I can't wait to catch up with you and your beautiful family.

selina said...

Hey Narn,
Thank-you for your lovely blog!!! It is so wonderful to be able to see pictures of you and the little ones and read more of what you have been up to (though usually I've already heard of it:-)
I am drying thyme and oregano in the oven at present and the house smells totally amazing......
Say hi to everyone down there and enjoy your visitors!!
Much luv,
sel

Jen's Busy Days said...

"I've often wondered where I fit ~ is there a catagory for "hodgepodge blogs"?"

I think I am in this category too so you are not alone. I like it. We are real, more 3 dimensional, when we share about all parts of our lives, not just homeschooling, or farming, or our faith.

No one is just one part only and it is nice to get to know people's hearts through their "hodgepodge" blogging.

Best wishes
Jen in NSW

Smilie girl said...

Well, I'm so glad you blog. I enjoy keeping up with you and your family as and when your busy life allows.
For me, I started blogging because I like the recording of our family doings. Pictures and stories - love it! The added blessing is friendship with other blogging friends. It is a good question to think on, and I will give it some more thought.
Have a wonderful birthday "festival" and enjoy your visitors!

Smilie girl said...

And I do remember xraying secret santa presents! Such fun!
We are nearly ready to move into our new department. We have a new machine and rooms 1 and 2 have been demolished. Big changes. Love to you and the family.

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

I wanted to say thank you for your kind words on the birth of my baby boy!
Come on by, I am doing a give away to celebrate!
Merci encore!
Amitiés,
Angela, Parisienne Farmgirl

Unknown said...

I blog for many of the reasons that you do and my blog tends to be hodge podge, too. But, that's who I am! I love reading your blog and the thoughts that you are thinking!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

I blog because I love writing- I used to be an avid journaler....now I just do it online.

I do it because it feels good to "get things out in the open" sometimes...to feel like someone will listen or pretend anyways :)

I do it to connect with other families that are bigger, homeschool, have adopted, LOVE JESUS, or other things that we love.

I also do it to SHARE JESUS WITH ANYONE WHO WILL READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have found there have been many times I thought God if you just use my blog to touch someone's heart- encourage someone- AMEN! I don't care if I know it is great just to know God does. It's for HIS GLORY anyway. I am just a Jesus lovin' mommy.

And of course it is fun to look back and see all the pics :) he he he- laugh, cry, and be real!

Kimmie said...

I am glad that blogging brought you into my life (you are a wonderful sister).

Love the kitty licken' picture, so cute.

xoxo
Kimmie
mama to 8
one homemade and 7 adopted

Haf Dozen Reasons....... said...

I began blogging to share our life with family. As they were sharing theirs. Now none of them blog and are only on Facebook. :(
Then found "friends" on here as well. I have met two bloggers and its just great! would love to meet all my bloggy friends!!
Love your blog!

Grandma said...

Hi Narn, This is a bit of a late comment (but I didn't read your blog when I was visiting (and neither when I was on my 'other' holiday!!!) We love the pictures and what you say - tho I have to tell you that some of the facebook gals suggest that you disclose a lot more about your life than they do!!!! I think you know who I mean, and if they're reading this Hi!.

Hope your weekend away was lovely for you. There is soooooooooo......much to do here, as I was flat out before visiting you and have been since!!
Looking forward to having a chat soon. Love to all, Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ps thanks for putting up with us, we had a lovely time! xxxxxxxx

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