Before I started blogging I didn’t really know this blog world existed. I mean I knew of blogging, but I thought it was for people who discussed and debated current events. The few times I had read these sort of blogs I wasn’t interested enough to join in the debate- although we do plenty of that at home around the kitchen table.
However, after starting my blog I realized that blogging was much more. It allowed me into the lives of people I would otherwise never know. It also let me share my thoughts and feelings with the outside world- sort of like writing a book. This is what I like about blogs.
When my oldest kids were little I used to think to myself- I wish I knew how other people were handling life. How they did certain things. I used to wonder what type of routines people had with their kids and what they did when various problems came up. Perhaps other people had life all figured out and if I could just get them to talk about it then I could do what they are doing.
I mean, of course, I, like most people had a few friends that told me about their lives, but I think a lot of issues were kept hidden. Also, it is difficult to have very many friends that you are close enough to, that really let you in on the details of their lives. So it can be very limited. Also, close friends might not be in the same place in their lives, as you are in yours. Blogging can expand your friendships all over the world with people who share common interests and experiences.
With blogging you can skip all of the small talk and get to the really interesting subjects about your thoughts and your life. Can you imagine a small talk blog:
You- “Hi! How are you?”
Them- “Fine.You?
You- “Good.”
Them- “Great.”
You- “Weather’s looking nice today.”
Them- “Yeah- it looks great.”
You- “How’s work”
Them- “Good, doing well.”
You- “That’s good to hear.”
Them- “How is the family?”
You- “Fine. Everyone is doing well.”
Them- “How is the adoption coming along?”
You- “Well, our agency got re-accredited recently, so that is good, but we are still waiting.”
Them- “Oh yeah? I hope you hear some good news soon. It was good to see you. Gotta run.”
You- “See ya later.”
Wow. I have now officially blogged a small talk conversation. I must be really running out of ideas. (:)) Back to the subject- with blogging, versus the kind of conversation I just spelled out- you can connect with and support others that are in a similar situation or have similar interests as yours- or are just interested in your life.
In some ways, reading blogs is like viewing the parade of homes, or a similar event where you can view the inside of people’s homes that you don’t know. Whenever I would walk past nice homes I would wish that I could look inside and see how the home was decorated and what it looked like. This type of home viewing event lets you look into homes that you would never have been able to see otherwise.
I guess that is what reality TV is all about. The appeal is to see what is real in other people’s lives. On the other hand, real reality can be boring. I saw this reality spoof on TV where this guy was filming his parents and they were just sitting at the kitchen table barely talking- reading the newspaper. It was actually quite funny. Blogging can be boring too. I suppose if people are just going on and on about something boring (like maybe this blog-:)). However, for the most part bloggers make me laugh and cry and feel better about life. Readers (lurkers) and commenters (just like my family and friends) make me feel like my life matters. I am amazed at how many people click on my site every day (based on my counter) and are interested in my daily thoughts. This is another one of those mysteries of the universe.
At the same time, I really enjoy reading the daily thoughts of others. I want to say thank you to all of the bloggers out there who have shared a portion of their lives with the world and let us look in on who you are, what and how you are doing and what you are thinking about life. Thank you!