WordPress let me know I’ve been blogging with them for 12 years now. I started blogging 13 years ago on Posterous, a site that shut down. I started blogging after occasionally having articles posted in local new age/spiritual newspapers, online holistic health magazines, online spiritual magazines, etc. I was weary of dealing with all the editorial issues, hassling with my grammar (which I know is poor at times), issues with paragraphs ….on and on. So I decided just to publish my own way on a blog.
I was watching a movie the other day, a romantic comedy, and the male lead chided the female lead when she mentioned she was a writer. His response was “A blog?”, in a sneering voice. Personally, I love blogs. I love how it gives a person a voice that is heard. I’m not into the whole superficial “influencer” thing, looking for social media fame, but I do believe it is important that people have a place to express themselves, a place that doesn’t rely on big business to put a stamp of approval on them, nor the need to be “professionals”.
I read an interview with a famous actor, living in Europe, but American, who condemned social media and in his eyes, people documenting everything they do in life, attempting self importance. I understand the dangers of social media, especially in young people, as it preys on youthful insecurities, making it look like everyone is having a great time, living a perfect life. But on the other hand, in such an often isolating life, it gives people a place to connect, be seen, be heard, and build relationships, a place where a person can feel like they matter. Certainly it doesn’t replace connections made in the physical, rather it adds to it.
I used to teach creative movement and music to children publicly, ages 2 1/2 to 9, and in Native American schools, grades 1-5. Sometimes I’d teach familiar songs and then have the kids re-write them entirely or come up with new lines. In one class, when my program was included at Humboldt State University’s music program for kids, I had a couple brothers, ages 3 or 4 and 8. I had taught Claudia Schimdt’s song about a broken cookie, dented jelly bean, and other malformed treats. I asked the children what other food or treat could we use in the song, and what happens to it to make it “less than perfect” but still quite delicious. The young brother, who had always remained quiet, shouted out “Celery”. The smile he was beaming lit up his face. He was so proud of that contribution. I wanted to teach children that they didn’t have to be professional dancers, singers, songwriters….in order to have a dance/song/ note within them to share with the world. To me….that is what the blogging platform gives to people.
There are so many types of blogs. Some are created to be solid websites for businesses, are sturdy, and rooted. They have a more narrow focus and target.
All photos by Katelon T Jeffereys
Some are purposely rude, lewd, funny, entertaining. Some serve to create a safe place for people to be vulnerable about health challenges, disabilities, mental health issues, emotional challenges, traumatic events, offering glimpses of helpful tools, agencies for support, and community for others suffering through the same challenges. These blogs are often tender and oh so sincere.
Other blogs are more esoteric, perhaps like mine, or looking into depths exploring poetry, fictional stories, or alternative views. These expose us to viewpoints and information we might not run across so easily in other media outlets, especially with the often big business limitations that don’t open their doors to everyone.
Some are written quite articulately, with precision, footnotes, many chapters, fine detail. Some are by amazing photographers and photo journalists. Some like mine use their phone cameras.
Others have poor grammar, misspellings, and take more effort to decipher what is being said, so it takes a little more effort to decide the meaning. Mmmm….looks like a ?????
But no matter what, in my mind, they all have their value. Most are written sincerely, with the intention to connect to a particular audience. All of them have worth because they reveal a soul’s effort to reach out to the world, send a call out to see who listens, and see who answers back. Ultimately we are all one but the individual differences make life much more interesting and delicious. I love seeing these blogs written by people all over the world; some living in villages or small towns, some in cities. And I get to travel the world into foods, places, ideas, beliefs I perhaps wouldn’t be able to taste otherwise.
So thank you blogging world. Thank you bloggers. Thank you all who take the time to read, like, comment and share.
Much love, katelon
Photo by Katelon T Jeffereys
Empower and Balance 