Tag Archives for blogging

Why do People Blog?

silhouette of people standing neat tree under the moon

Photo by Gerd Altmann on Pexels.com

There are so many diverse people and approaches to blogging in the WordPress community.

It makes me reflect on what my motivation for blogging has been, and to be curious about how others have experienced blogging. (Please add a comment below if you would like to share here)

I started blogging as a way to express myself and to share my message to more than one coaching client at a time. Back in 2014 and 2015, the posts I wrote were to provide new insights to specific clients and others wanting to see things more clearly or to bring about change in their lives.

It was also a way for me to become known and a platform for sharing what mindfulness, yoga and Finding Your Middle Ground was about.

Here, my passion grew and blossomed as I found community with like minded people around the world. It became an opportunity to educate and inspire others to find contentment and peace in stressful times, and to explore our spiritual journey and awakening.

I never thought of myself as a writer, poet or photographer, but I have discovered these aspects of myself along the way.

Blogging is an evolution … if you stay with it.

If you come to blogging with the intention of promoting yourself, or manipulating others, getting the most “likes; and “follows” then you are giving yourself short shrift. There really is so much more here.

Blogging is about connection, being inspired and nourishing each other, building community and finding like-minded souls.

Some times the connections fade or disappear. Other times a new voice and talent emerges and brings new perspectives, inspiration and joy.

Thank you for being here and making it all possible. You are the inspiration.

 

 

 

Noticing Mondays

This is a re-blog from 2015, when I began to notice the tension when trying to get caught up with posts on Word Press.  We don’t need to be actively interacting, to know that we are a part of this community. Gratitude and love to you ❤️

oooOOooo


not being present
Noticing Monday morning and its regular gift of a slight contraction in my body and mind.
My ego alert with thoughts about getting a head start and how much to get through.
No, not work…

The blogs I follow expand with content on Monday mornings.
An avalanche of goodness awaits.
Leading to some feelings of overwhelm and not enough time.

So I take time to notice and pause…
Slowing down and breathing in order to be present for each one.
Letting go of thoughts to hurry through and get it behind me.
This is not a task, its about connection, listening and community.

These feelings are like an echo of how I lived most of my life.
Hurrying up to get things done and get ahead of the present.

Skipping forward towards some goal.

If only I knew then what I know now …
Thank you bloggers for this lesson on mindful presence today

Namaste

be present

A fun Meet Up

Don and I are taking a short vacation in Boston to take in a Red Sox game and more! This afternoon, who do you think I met up with?

The beacon on Beacon Street is a clue…. 

That peep car is a giveaway.


Ann Koplow and I found time to meet near Boston Public Gardens on a beautiful afternoon.

Thanks Michael for hanging out with us and taking some great photos for the annals of blogging history.

It felt like meeting a dear old friend 💛

Thanks Ann for taking the time out from your busy about-to-move schedule!!

New Bloggers, Blogging and Life

blogging and life

I have noticed an interesting phenomenon recently with new bloggers. Perhaps, if you are reading this, then you may have noticed as well. There are flurries of Likes one after an other and then a Follow.

I doubt this new generation has superhuman ability to read so quickly… and it makes me wonder if they are actually reading what is posted, or are simply wanting reciprocation, with multiple likes and a follow. Is the goal to accumulate lots of Likes and Followers, regardless of connection with other bloggers?

It makes me think of my adolescence where there was much self doubt and a craving for validation. If I do this for you, you’ll do this for me. If I like you, you must like me. This, of course, is encouraged in all Social Media.

Perhaps this keeps many people in a state of wondering what others think, and being seen in a particular way – happy, popular, interesting etc etc, rather than expressing themselves and finding their authentic being.

When we are so attached to being seen in a certain way, or being overly attached to results, we lose out on the process that takes us there, and who we are. It’s the experience of getting there, and the highs and lows that make life worth embracing and living fully.

In yoga there is a saying for the newcomer “Yoga isn’t about touching your toes, it’s about what happens on the way down”… and I would add, “appreciating everything that comes up along the way.”

Like life.  Is your blogging a reflection of how you are living your life?

It’s your choice to tally scores, make as many connections as you can, and receive acknowledgement from others. Or, perhaps it’s time to slow down and read, absorb, listen and appreciate the goodness that others have to offer, and explore being in community with other people.

We all want validation and to be heard. We also all need to belong and care for others. Take a moment to pause, and notice if it is your ego-mind that is running the show here in WordPress or an expression of your authentic self.

And now consider your life…

* For my Blogging Friends

helping-hands

This week has been such a fruitful and fulfilling one as I step up into my Fall yoga teaching schedule and prepare for a new series of the Yoga Teacher Mentor Program beginning on Sunday. I also had a visit from an old University friend from Scotland who now lives in Australia. There was a lot of fun catching up to do 😃

In other words, life is terrific, but I have not found time to read many of your posts or visit your blogs.

I really look forward to catching up after this weekend.

Thank you for your understanding. I am so grateful to be a part of this creative, talented and loving community.

Val xo

* Blogging and Serendipity

People sometimes ask how I am able to post so often. They imagine it is somehow hard work or at least requiring will and effort.

Well, I can tell you that it is such a delight to be a blogger! I had no idea when I started that this would be as much fun as it is. It feels as natural as yoga. Yup – its takes practice and you have to engage fully in the process. But when you know the basics, you can let go and go with the flow.

serendipity

“Serendipity” by Josephine Wall at http://www.josephinewall.co.uk

Every day I wake up with ideas and thoughts about people, what I have learned and how I can share it with others. I usually have someone in mind that I am communicating with. (Yes – it could be you). There is inspiration everywhere on the blogosphere … and from the piles of books on my bed side table.

I admit that when it comes to reading books, I am a dipper rather than a “start to finisher”. I believe in serendipity. A part of me wants to believe that the universe will show me what I need when I open to a random page. In my yoga classes I do this with my favorite inspiration “Yoga Gems” by Georg Feuerstein.

And, now that I think about it, its just like in the mornings, when I choose what earrings to wear.
I have a jewellery box with small earrings in it. They are all mixed up. When I reach in, I have in my mind to use the one I find and then pair it up. Every time its partner finds its way quickly between my fingers. It never seizes to delight me! How does it do this?…

In writing this post I decided to share my thoughts as they came up. I was curious about what I would write. I notice that there is some vulnerability when I don’t have a particular thought or idea to build from.

Perhaps the universe gently nudged me so I hit the right spot with you …

May you too have a day filled with serendipity and ease.

*Love at First Sniff

Harry and Dilys - love at first sniff

Jean over at Social Bridge has a lovely post today about little first times. It made me think about when we brought home our middle Welsh Terrier Dilys.

When Dilys met Harry it was love at first sniff.
The photo is a little blurry because she was wagging her tail so hard!

Harry and Dilys together

They were inseparable and she gave him lots of love and attention in his last days. 

Such sweet memories…

Thanks Jean 💛