My mind reflects back to when I signed up for the Post a Day 2011 Challenge. This meant that I would literally have to hit that “Publish” button on new material every day. I publicly professed my commitment to blog daily for the personal reasons of inspiring others, honing my craft, and establishing some consistency. Now, however, I must secretly confess that while I still believe in the merits of writing on a daily basis, I am not convinced that I need to blog everything that I write. Whoever said “my life is an open book” lied! You won’t find all my business here. No siree, Bob! According to hubby dearest, not all things are “bloggable”, and he’s absolutely right. Moreover, the intention when writing can vary from day to day, and certainly from one written piece to another. Some of my non-blog writing is hugely personal, and simply necessary for my soul. As such, those writings are cathartic and provide me with the private healing space that I need versus the public domain. Hence, my need to write more relevant and meaningful material has become more salient than my need to compose a blog post on a daily basis.
I’m also learning that perhaps I am more of a “contemplative writer”, as Sue Monk Kidd refers to it in “Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story” (Kidd & Taylor-Kidd, 2009, p. 91), the joint memoir penned with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor. Perhaps it is through this kind of writing that I will best reconcile these “urge(s) to create” and “to be” (ie., writing, versus being in the moment), and not lose sleep over my inability to “create” as regularly or as often as I’d like. I want to continue to ask the important questions, and share the beauty, wisdom, wit, insight, and significance that unfold with each epiphany and in the most simple of acts, and everyday moments. I’m learning that they are loaded with opportunities for reflection, introspection, and growth, and as such, they are worth sharing. So, I’m cool with the notion of being a contemplative writer, even if only for some of the time. But because I’m so invested in the vitality and authenticity of the relationships that nurture me, as well as those that require my nurturing, I’m also required to prioritize, even if it means not publishing a post on a daily basis. So steal the time, I must…no matter how infrequently… I must write…that is, if I say that I’m a writer.
Musical Inspiration: “If Loving You is Wrong, I Don’t Want to Be Right..”
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Life As An Art Form 
This is awesome. This echoes so many of my own feelings yet I bought into the who commercial belief, “I am, therefore I blog.” Ha! I love this piece.
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I am glad that something resonated with you, Michelle. I say, write as you’re led, and the rest will take care of itself! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Well, I agree not everything written needs to be blogged! I also struggle with ‘is that too personal’? I deleted the first few blog posts I wrote because they were too personal, though sometimes I wish I’d made my blog anonymous so I could just blather on about whatever is on my mind. I think because I am not anonymous, it makes me think about how I say some of the things I have to say, and it makes me look for a universal hook. You do that very well! As for finding things to write about, I found the A-Z challenge really inspiring.
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By the way, Thanks for adding me to your blogroll!
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You got it, lady!
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Thanks Alison! I’m with you on the “anonymous” thing. I struggled with that; wanting to talk…about well, whatever! :). LOL! Yet at the same time, I wanted to appeal to the the larger, human “conscience” of those that I connect with via this forum. I’m finding that having to do this inspires me to that space called “greater”, both personally and publicly. I’ve had to become disciplined about my own truth, and being authentic to my own voice (whether it lands well or not), while negotiating my private space. I will look into the A-Z challenge. Sounds like a very “methodical” way to “uncover” great writing. I appreciate your feedback, and for getting me hip to the A-Z challenge and your cool blog! 🙂
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