Tag: blogging101

I am Grateful for…

Gratitude Prompt: I am grateful for…

Today, I am grateful I can share with the many bloggers I have met through the Blogging U course in January. I am grateful for the inspiration, encouragement and information.

I am grateful for being able to read the journeys of many that show we are not alone.

I am grateful for Colline sharing what the ride to her writing class meant to her because I often give rides to others. I understand the value of time because I used to be on the bus.

I am grateful for family and friends, near and far.

I am grateful for the children I gave birth to and that God gave them life.

I am grateful for who I am and what makes me unique.

I am grateful for the gifts God gave me.

I am grateful for God’s love for me. That “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes on Him shall have eternal life.”

Today, I am grateful…

Key Takeaway from My Blogging 101 Experience

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/key-takeaway/”>Key Takeaway</a>

I would say this has been an enriching experience. The key takeaway is that you learn at your own pace. The assignments are great! They are challenging and force you out of your comfort zone. Although there are bloggers who have been at this quite some time, there is always room to improve and move forward in your blogging journey as they have shown. While the key takeaway is learning at your own pace, I must say that the second takeaway, for me, was getting involved in the blogging community. There is such rich material out there and people who want to share their journey of living, laughing, crying, healing and creativity.

One of the best things that I received is the acceptance. I can write my own story. I don’t have to compare myself to others and I get to read some amazing stories from the other bloggers as well as engage. I have learned so much and saw photos that were brilliant. The support from the staff and other writers has been phenomenal. I have been writing a while but was never involved in a community like this. I have found quite a few bloggers to follow and have received quite a few followers myself. My commitment to writing this year started off with bang. Blogging 101 helped to reinforce the commitment and while my writing is far from over, this has been a great foundation.

I still have a couple of assignments to finish. The learning is based on your time. Having a job and other life events occurring, it was challenging but I accepted. The assignments to finish involve tweaking my site and that, to me, is a continuous process. As I grow in this blogging journey, I must say that I do appreciate immensely this stop on my way.

 

Life and Baseball

Although life throws curve balls, fast balls and even some strange balls at me, I rise to the occasion. I even rise like the balls that are thrown. Sometimes a little curvy or wobbly, sometimes fast and sometimes even strangely since I can’t always figure out how I even rose from the ball thrown. Of all the sports, I love baseball. Yes, ladies do love baseball, too. I like the analogy of the game. The pitcher is on the mound and as the batter, you are at the plate. You are ready for the ball. Not sure what’s coming. In your stance, swinging the bat, ready for the ball you swing. Strike one. Okay, you get ready for the next one. You didn’t like that you missed but confident that you will hit the next one out of the park. Hopeful, excited. You prepare for the swing again: stance, swinging the bat. Here it comes. Too high, a ball. Okay you now have a minimum of two swings left and a maximum of five (a few more maybe considering the foul balls), two more strikes and three more balls. The excitement mounts because you know you have to make the best of these next few opportunities. Or, you will have to wait until you come up to bat again.

You are ready again. Prepared to swing, here comes the ball. Strike. Oh my! Laughing out loud for those of you who would have used a completely different adjective. Okay, down to four more chances to hit this thing out of the park. Looking at the pitcher, you realize he’s confident he will strike you out. Laughing to yourself, you think, “Good luck with that!” The next two pitches are balls. Here is the defining moment, two strikes and three balls.

How would feel if you did strike out? How would you feel if you walked or got a pass on this opportunity? How would feel if you hit a foul ball and had to take that stance one more time? Life is like this game. Emotional highs and lows with opportunities to keep trying when it’s your turn to bat again. Thank God there are more than nine innings. Or are there? Depends on how long your innings are.

Not sure if this will change your perspective on baseball, but it is my sports cup of tea. It helps keep life in perspective.

(Note: Assignment #4, http://bloggingu.wordpress.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

who am I, why am I here?

I recently discovered more about my desires resulting from a loss. I do know that I love writing. That answers the why am I here question. I am a writer at heart and that answers the who am I question. Of course, being a writer is only one facet of who I am. I have a lot to say but have been struggling with how to put it in writing. Based on my recent loss though, I realize that I am who I am and whoever decides to be in a relationship with me, friend or otherwise, needs to accept that. The problem, as I seem to recognize it is that I wasn’t accepting myself for who I am.

That said, I realized that I was too worried about what others would think or say about my writing. That care has disappeared like 2015. It is a new year and a new me. Forward we march.

It is amazing to me how long this journey has taken. Acceptance is key for shortening any difficult or challenging journey. I have it now in clarity though. I look forward to what blogging will do for me this year. The decision to make my writing my priority is stronger than ever. As this is a new beginning, I am expecting exciting things in 2016!