I haven't been a great blogger for the past couple of years. I suppose that's partly because of changes in my life. I'm no longer a single woman traveling the globe and living from one exciting event to the next. My life has taken on a different meaning. And change is good; it's just not as exciting to write about. Especially because the last three years have been a journey of self discovery. I've been working through things in my own mind, leaving me with few thoughts to "put on paper." It's been a wonderful journey, though. Difficult as well. But who ever told a compelling tale of a journey that was easy? My journey was probably no different than those millions of others go through each day as they move from one phase of life to the next. I'll get to more details later. But for the past few years I have felt that my new marriage and health deserved my focus more than my blog, and I have been very grateful that I made that decision.
A secondary reason for neglecting my blog was cyber-bullying. No, I never had anything horrible happen that involved me or my blog. But I hated the idea that handfuls of people who I don't know well or who don't like me read my blog. I would hate to think that someone was reading about my life hoping to learn of something bad that had happened to me. Call it paranoia, but I am well aware of people (women) who do just that. I thought that if I faded into the background for a while, that any of these kinds of people would give up on my blog. I know it sounds crazy, but I have reason to believe such people exist and I hate knowing that people feel so negatively about me.
And since this is MY blog, I want to be able to share my feelings and thoughts without being criticized for sharing them. People these days feel much too comfortable being openly and often rudely critical of others' thoughts and feelings shared through social media. If you don't like what someone posted or shared, stop reading it. People freely dish out criticisms to others when they are hidden behind the safety of an electronic screen. I don't need to read criticisms from people I have met only once, people who I have not spoken to in over a decade, or others. It is just hurtful. And those people would NEVER say those same words to my face. Social media is a place where people share their thoughts and feelings. If you disagree with someone or don't like what they posted, I say again, stop reading it. I want to feel comfortable openly sharing things on here with those I love and care about, and also because I enjoy it even if no one as reads it. I enjoy writing and it's therapeutic to document my life in some sense.
So I extend an invitation. To those who agree to be civil, both in thought and deed, please feel free to visit my blog. Perhaps you're bored at work, or we're old chums and you'd like to know I'm alive and well. Maybe you're one of my family members who live across the globe. Welcome. As I slowly warm back up to the task of blogging, I hope you read or see something that isn't completely boring. Come and visit, and be kind. And I will do the same in return.
Thank you.
