Other Blogs

"If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, temptations, heartaches and remorse as his own...how much kinder, how much gentler he would be."

- William Allen White

The title for today is a result of the wonderful reading I have been experiencing on blogs. Let me start by saying that everyone should blog. This coming from someone who, until January had never really heard of a blog - not kidding! I knew that Erin had one, but I thought of it more as a website. But, when Laura sent me the link to hers, I thought I'd jump in and start my own. Now, Julie is in the works of starting a blog and I think it's fantastic.

So why do I think everyone should blog - a few reasons. I like blogging because as I look back at my past posts, it's a great way to remember what was going on, how I was feeling, etc. I love that I can look back and reflect on what and why I wrote. For someone who is a self-confessed anti-journaler (is that a word???) this has been a gift to me. I never, I repeat, never, would be keeping track of my daily life if I had to do it with pen and paper. Isn't that sad? I feel that written letters and correspondence are so important, but in this day and age, they've been lost to email and posting. In many ways, that's a gift, because we can communicate instantly, However, I do find that I don't communicate as often with people who aren't online. I think I send out one Letter a year - at Christmas, and when called for, Thank You cards - but otherwise, I don't write. So blogging has been a blessing for me.

I think blogging is great, too, because it allows us to see what others are up to, what they think and an opportunity to keep track of those we don't see very often. I love that I can read the blogs of my friends, and feel like we still have a front row seat in each other's everyday lives, even though we are busy and apart. I know when Erin lived in AK, it was always nice to see what she and Bill were up to - and now as they travel Ireland, I get to see places and hear about things that I may never experience myself. And, I love Laura's because I have always been so appreciative of her view of life, and how she sees things. I love hearing about her daily goings on in the classroom, and her thoughts and perspective of life. It's awesome, because it opens my mind to a different appreciation of life, every time I read. So, thanks to Laura and Erin, for letting me stay connected and into your world!

On that note, I hope that you all are getting a taste of my daily life. As humans, we don't often take the time to think about other people, sympathize, empathize or just connect. Its so easy for life to get lost in the shuffle, and humanity to become lost - replaced instead by TV, technology, entertainment, work, etc. I hope that by getting a taste of my experiences, you can better enjoy and reflect on your own. I know that by learning about other people's experiences through blogging, I have definitely explored the world and human nature, and gained a new appreciation for my friends and family.