My husband caught me yesterday writing my first post on my blog....I hadn't told him that I was going to begin blogging. He was surprised and sounded disdainful when he asked me about it.
I hadn't told him about starting a blog because writing to the world is risky for me and I'm extremely hesitant for anyone to know that I'm writing a blog. I don't usually take ANY risks -- I live in the comfortable. I'm not sure what responses I would receive if I told anyone that I have started blogging. I'm afraid that others would have a similar reaction as my husband.
So, why begin a blog? Several reasons...the first is peer pressure from my kids. I know....peers are usually people your own age, or at least, your own generation. All three of my kids have blogged over the past several years, and the blogs have given me insight to their thoughts, feelings, decisions, etc. in a way that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. None of them live close to us so hanging out routinely with each of them over a pop or cup of tea to chat isn't possible. The blogs have often given me a glimpse into what is going on in their lives on a day-to-day basis.
I like to think that I can stay up with my kids on a technology level -- I like technology a LOT!!! But, I'm been limited in my efforts to "keep up with the Jones'" -- or in this case, the Eubank's/Pichea's/Allen's -- due to the old, dilapidated computer that I was using at home. Being a cheapskate, I was never ready to fork over the money to upgrade to a new computer -- I could always think of higher priorities on which to spend that money. However, during the last few months of using the old computer, it finally dawned on me that I was actually costing myself time, much frustration, and even money (electricity usage) by trying to navigate the internet on the old computer. So, I finally made the decision that I was ready to upgrade. And, I thought Christmas was an appropriate time. So, on Cyber Monday, I shopped online (on my husband's much quicker work laptop!) and found a good deal on a Dell PC. When my husband came home from work that evening, I showed him the deal and told him I wanted to purchase it as my Christmas gift from him. He was agreeable so....I have a new computer!!! Speed on the internet is NO LONGER AN ISSUE!!! Hallelujah!!! Now, I can keep up with the kids and stay technologically advanced! (I do have some catching up to do....apparently PINTEREST is a "must" for cyber users. I need to check it out!) Anyway, one of the ways to "keep up with the Jones'" is for me to blog.
Reason number two is the accountability that the blog will afford me. Since I don't take risks, I have NEVER wanted to open myself up to others and have an accountability partner. I have "head knowledge" that accountability partners are good things, especially in challenging each other in their spiritual growth. I have "head knowledge" that I do better with accountability. I work hard to get "A's" in my college classes. Knowing that I'm being graded on my work challenges me to do my best. I have "head knowledge" that accountability will help me achieve my 2012 goals. So, I'm using this blog (as secret as it may turn out to be) to be an accountability tool in my life. I am going to report to the world my progress on my goals...the blog will help keep me accountable.
Reason number three is competition. No, I haven't entered into any formal blogging competition. This is an informal competition with my kids. And, no, they don't know about the competition at all (unless they stumble onto this blog!)! All three of my kids are EXCELLENT writers. Quite frankly, I was surprised at the quality of the writing they produced on their blogs. Grammatically, it was top notch. In readability, it was excellent. Creatively, it was quality stuff. As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm working on my Bachelor's degree. My major is Writing. My informal competition is to see if I can excel in blogging as well as (or even better than) my kids. Is this a lame reason for a blog? Sure....but Reason Number Two outweighs this reason "in spades!"
Reason number four is my Writing degree. If I think I might ever be a writer, I need to write. A musician needs to practice his/her music. A doctor needs to have a residency. A race car driver needs to learn the track during his/her practice laps. So, it follows that a writer needs to write. And so, by committing to at least weekly updates on this blog (we'll see how that goes), I will be practicing my writing.
Four reasons for the blog -- some good and uplifting....some just lame. But, all combined together, caused me to take the risk in beginning a blog.
That's all for today....next blog is from my initial thinking on Galatians 1, "How can God allow us to resist Him?"
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