I started regularly posting to this blog some four months ago because there were so many things I wanted to say. I thought I had a very unique insight into life and the world around me that I had to get it recorded somewhere for posterity. At least that’s the version that I put out for general consumption.
In reality, I wanted to be able to rant about all the crap that ticked me off. I wanted to be able to rail against the politicians that ticked me off. I wanted to be able to tell the world what was wrong with everyone else and how utopia might be created if only everyone else would see things the way that I see them.
I know that I have almost everything about life figured out. I know that if we would only think about someone other than ourselves that the world would be a much better place to live. I also have an inside track on exactly what it takes to be President of the United States. Blogging would give me a chance to share that insight with the rest of humanity and our world would become a better place to be if they would only adopt my viewpoints.
I also saw potential for blogging to be an avenue to address some of the local issues that my city and county are facing. Again, if only the rest of the citizens of Raleigh and Wake County would see things the way I do, the issues that challenge our community would be much better dealt with.
What I didn’t know is that I would become part of a virtual community that is less self-absorbed than I tend to be. The blogosphere is filled with humor, compassion, support and a sense of community that is often lacking in the real world. We laugh at the exploits of a traveling article of women’s lingerie. We strive to solve the mystery of kidnapped snakeskin boots. There are the visits to royalty to help her through stressing times when her world is violated. And there is laughter with when we read about a sister who struggles with the checkout lanes at WalMart.
In other words, friendships are developed, relationships are built, and growth happens. All through participation in this thing called blogging. The fascinating thing is that instead of converting everyone to my way of thinking I find that I am learning to see things in a different way. My opinion is not all that compelling any more. In fact, (horror of horrors) I’m finding out that I might not know as much as I thought I did. There are actually people out there who have better ideas than I do.
So, my motivation for blogging has changed. Instead of converting readers to my way of thinking, it is more important that what I write have some measure of entertainment value. If people learn something along the way, that’s fantastic. On the other hand, if I learn something in the process of writing a post, I’m going to come out ahead in the end. I create my posts with more thought to giving people something in return for the effort they expend in reading my posts.
Most of all, my motivation is to stay connected to the new friends I have made over the past four months, and to potentially make new friends along the way. As I get to know those of you who honor me by reading what I write, I also learn a little bit more about myself. That’s a wonderful thing to be able to say when you’re at the point I am in my life.
Today is my birthday, and I consider it a gift that I have gained so much from this venture that I started back in October. Even though my original motives were rather misguided, everything is working out very nicely. So, tonight when I’m out to dinner to celebrate another year of life, I will toast each of you collectively for becoming a part of my life. The fact that I’ll be toasting with lemon water is another success story that will be celebrated tonight. But that’s another story and another post.
When you write from your heart like this, it is wonderful. Blogging has become an avenue of self-discovery for most of us. Well said and well penned.
And a toast to you, Lee….for sharing who you are with us, embracing our collective insanity, jumping in with both honest feet and most of all….to sobriety – which is the icing on the proverbial cake and a phenomenal accomplishment and blessing in your life. We are here with you through all your changes. Keep writing (and snapping pictures)…..you’ve landed in a community of friends for sure.
What could be better than that?
Happy Birthday from the Queen!
I’m sorry but my royal proclamators went on vacation before I could send an air balloon to fly over Raleigh this morning. I’ll send Guido to do it instead.
Keep an eye on the sky…….
Mimi Lenox’s last blog post..Valentine Post Box
Mimi: Such high praise from you is very humbling as you are such a wonderful writer yourself. I love the whimsy and light-hearted spirit of your writing (most of the time
). I’ll keep an eye on the sky this afternoon for the balloon.
Barbara: That’s a great point, because I do remember a little better when I blog about them. This is a great way to really puzzle out feeling and thoughts about different things.
Jaffer: Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoy what I write. That means a lot. It’s fun to keep up with all the different people I’ve met here, and that includes you.
Meleah: Thank you so much. I really am glad to have me you, and so many others here in the blogosphere. I know I’m a better person for having been exposed to all of you. I think the future holds a lot of potential for new discoveries. By the way, get that book finished. I need something new to read!
Happy Birthday!
I suppose my blog is part online diary, public venting space, little unknown information shared, and here is the odd one, a bookmark.
If I find a site, information, recipe, or ANY tidbit that I want to REMEMBER, I blog about it.
This helps me remember the information as well as have a place to look it up.
Barbara (Xerraire)’s last blog post..Chase It Down
A very happy birthday to you, Lee !
Every since I discovered your blog, I have always looked forward to your posts.
Sometimes, I check my RSS reader, solely anticipating a new post from you !
Thank you for being here.
Jaffer’s last blog post..How to upgrade a WordPress installation
what a GREAT post about the blogging world and reasons why is so DAMN awesome. I have the best circle of friends (you INCLUDED) I never knew how much the INTERNET would GIVE to me. I am blessed, and lucky. I have changed and learned and grown SO MUCH as person all because of BLOGGING!
who knew the last 2 years of my life on Momma Mia Mea Culpa would be so fulfilling.
I am so glad you are getting just as much out of it as I am.
*cheers*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!!
I really hope you have a spectacular day. You always make my day a little bit better.
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Not Myself
Awwww… Happy Birthday
And you don’t need booze to celebrate!
You know I think we all start blogging with a certain intention (mine was to stay totally pissed off forever… ha ha ha) and then the next thing you know you’re caught up in the blogging world and all it has to offer…
I have never been able to accurately describe what I am getting out of it to my family or friends. They just think I’m a little weird… okay I am a little weird but the point is… unless you’re a blogger you’ll never get it.
Have a great Birthday Lee
dawn’s last blog post..The Bathtub Test
Dawn: No, I don’t need booze to celebrate. Exactly the point I was trying to make. Dinner was fantastic and we had a good time, even though we had to wait almost an hour for a table. We ate at The Cheesecake Factory and the food was delicious. And as promised I toasted my good fortune at have made such good friends.
Robert: Thank you, sir. It has been a good day, I even had the good fortune to have some NASCAR to watch when we got home from dinner. Unfortunately, my boy, Newman, wrecked his car in the final practice for the Shootout tonight. I’m hoping that means he’s used up the bad luck for the next few weeks and will have nothing but good luck for the next ten days or so.
Happy Birthday young man..may it be a great day…thoughtful post and well written and you right I have learned more from my bloogging friends like you than I have in many a year..good friends all..
robert bourne’s last blog post..Meme and Something to Pass Along..
Happy Birthday Lee!
What a great post (as always). I too have found blogging something different than what I expected. I thought that I would do more writing than reading, but it turns out that I read much more from others and have been able to gain great insight about many topics. My “young” blog has just served as a jumping off point for me to find other blogs that I enjoy and find inspiring. My own writing has been a challenge for me, and rather sporadic, but the reading that I do on other blogs is an almost daily event that I look forward to with great expectation. Your blog is one of my daily readers, and for that I am thankful. Here’s hoping that the coming year is one of your best.
Scott’s last blog post..Ground Hog Day eve…..
Scott: Thank you. The growth aspect was somewhat surprising for all the reasons I listed in my post. I expected to do more ranting than anything. In a short period of time, I realized I wanted to be taken seriously and to do that I had to give some thought to what I write and, sometimes, do some research in the process. The second surprise was how quickly I got to know people and begin to develop friendships. That has been a fantastic bonus.
Thanks again for your kind words, and I’m glad you have found my writing to be entertaining.
Lee — I have had a similar experience. A whole new world of ideas and opinions has opened up to me. I’ve gained so many new friends, you included, and that wasn’t even my initial motivation. I just wanted to write, but friendships developed easily and naturally. There really is a community here and my use of the word “friend” is not limited to only those people I see in person anymore. It includes a number of people I’ve met on blogs. Isn’t that amazing?
Happy Birthday, my friend.
Kathy’s last blog post..10 Things I Don’t Have the Guts to Do
Kathy: I’ve had online relationships before, in fact I met my wife on America Online, so that’s not a surprise. But I forgot how “real” those relationships are. What I mean is that I really look forward each day to having contact with the people I’ve come to know here in the blogosphere. I worry about some because of the issues they’re dealing with, I laugh with some (like you) because they share their wonderful sense of humor, and I share in the day to day adventures of those who share themselves and their lives. I feel truly blessed.
I started out with the same feelings about my own blog. I wanted to have a place where I didn’t have to be so nice, and now I just seem to write about funny things mostly. I also love the writing community as well. It really is a great outlet for fun and creativity!
The Chick’s last blog post..Who Says Dentists Aren’t Funny?
Chick: Yes, the blogging community is a great outlet for fun. I can’t imagine a day when I don’t at least read and comment on the blogs I visit regularly. I just need to have that connection or my day isn’t complete.
Hi Lee-
Congratulations! Your post from February 8, 2008 titled “Motivations Change†has been selected as our Post of the Day on “The Rising Bloggerâ€. It is a site that awards posts, not blogs. We will email your winning badge to post in your sidebar and all our info, if you contact us with your email address. To encourage your readers to comment on your award, it helps if you make the first comment on our post about your blog, yourself. We ask winners to nominate a post favorite of a fellow blogger. Call it “paying it forwardâ€. Neither is a requirement. You have won this award because we truly feel you deserve it. To reach “The Rising Blogger†site:
http://therisingblogger.blogspot.com
Have a great week!
Judd Corizan
The Rising Blogger
Judd Corizan’s last blog post..Tarheel Ramblings
Judd: Thank you so much. I am truly honored. This award means a lot because it comes from the recommendation of someone I respect very much.
Charles: Thank you, and welcome to Tarheel Ramblings. It has been a great experience becoming part of the blogging community. There are a lot of really great people out there that it has been fun getting to know.
Excellent post. I started my blog as a way to promote my own writing and, like you, found much more of worth here.
Charles Gramlich’s last blog post..Quick Notes n Updates
Came over from reading Mimi’s review. She was dead on. Great post!
Bud Weiser’s last blog post..Maybe I’ll Get Lucky This Week
Bud: Thank you! Mimi’s so great, it’s really an honor to get such glowing praise from her. Thanks for stopping by.
[...] the Rising Blogger award yesterday for a post that I published on my birthday, February 8th. Motivations Change was a reflection on how my views and motivations for blogging have changed since I started regular [...]
Having just read this post – I can see why you won the Rising Blogger award. VERY NICELY said…I agree whole-heartedly with every single word. The blogosphere is fill with so many awesome, talented and genuinely NICE people…it has been and continues to be a wonderful journey of discovery in so many ways. Glad to be able to call you my friend, my friend!
Olga, the Traveling Bra’s last blog post..A Whale of a Good Time!
Olga: Thank you very much. It has been a wonderful journey and I look forward to continuing it for a long time. Being able to call you (and your blog mistress) friends is a definite bonus I hadn’t expected.