Hi Again,
As my friend and former professor, Lorin, taught me "meta communication" is communication about, well, communication. So a blog about blogging can only be a metablog, right?
For once, my blog will be brief. I'm wondering how blog authors build their reader base. I've seen blogs with a large following. I'm very grateful for those who "follow" my blog. I consider it an honor to think that anyone takes the time to read my words. And I'm guessing there may be a few readers who aren't listed on the "followers" list. But if I wanted to increase my readership, how would I go about it?
Any suggestions? Do you "follow" blogs? If so, what drew you to them? What keeps you going back? And what things might one incorporate or learn from those blogs to help one become a better blogger?
Thanks for reading and for your suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Fun times and jammie-days
Hello again. Happy Monday.
Do you know one of the worst things about looking for a job? Other than the lack of money and the rejection, of course. It's that "should" feeling. When you're happily settled into a job or career you can plan your days off to be spent in a million different ways (some fun, some chores, etc.). When you're looking for a job, it's harder. I was recently talking to a friend who is also job-hunting right now about how it feels like something never checked off the old to-do list.
I've read that Oprah Winfrey has Sacred Sundays. Days where she puts all "shoulds" and "musts" aside and spends the day recharging her spirit. The article reported that sometimes those Sundays are spent in jammies.
Much to my regret, I don't have Oprah's money but that doesn't mean I can't take a page out of her book and enjoy a Sacred Sunday (or Monday, or...) Perhaps recharging my spirit and having fun would put a different, better energy into my job search which could be conducted on a 6-day-per-week schedule instead?
Please tell me, my friends...what is YOUR idea of the perfect day? What do you do for fun? And do you make time for it regularly or is it something you look back and think "hmmm, when was the last time I had fun?"
Do you know one of the worst things about looking for a job? Other than the lack of money and the rejection, of course. It's that "should" feeling. When you're happily settled into a job or career you can plan your days off to be spent in a million different ways (some fun, some chores, etc.). When you're looking for a job, it's harder. I was recently talking to a friend who is also job-hunting right now about how it feels like something never checked off the old to-do list.
I've read that Oprah Winfrey has Sacred Sundays. Days where she puts all "shoulds" and "musts" aside and spends the day recharging her spirit. The article reported that sometimes those Sundays are spent in jammies.
Much to my regret, I don't have Oprah's money but that doesn't mean I can't take a page out of her book and enjoy a Sacred Sunday (or Monday, or...) Perhaps recharging my spirit and having fun would put a different, better energy into my job search which could be conducted on a 6-day-per-week schedule instead?
Please tell me, my friends...what is YOUR idea of the perfect day? What do you do for fun? And do you make time for it regularly or is it something you look back and think "hmmm, when was the last time I had fun?"
Monday, January 10, 2011
Detour to Full-circle
Hello my friends,
Thanks for stopping by again.
I'm warning you now, today's blog may seem like a bit of a ramble so I will understand if you click the little "x" now and read no further.
In the early 1990s I was dating someone and although I've managed to forget a lot of the details, I recall enough to know it wasn't a relationship destined for greatness (or longevity). Through recent discussions with this person via FB chat, I have realized that it was probably his warped sense of humor that drew me in to begin with. His reasons for participating in the relationship are his own. What I do know is that there are no accidents in life. Through my time with him I discovered something about myself that changed my life.
When his work took him to NC for several weeks he invited me for a weekend visit and we went to Cape Hatteras (in the Outerbanks). On Sunday morning as we prepared to drive back inland for my return home, I took a moment and went to stand looking out at the sea one more time. Although I had been on a cruise, I had never before been to the beach. I was surprised by how much like HOME it felt. I never wanted to leave. If, at that moment, someone had offered me the option to live forever right where I was standing, I would have accepted with no questions asked.
Have you ever been homesick for a place that wasn't home? By the time I arrived at work the following morning, I was determined. I remember my boss walking into the office to find me gazing at an atlas. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Looking for a place to live," I responded. He quirked an eyebrow at me and said, "you know, MOST people use the classifieds for that." Throughout the day we discussed different places along the Eastern seaboard that might suit my needs.
I went to visit a friend in Florida to see what I thought (remember I'd never been there before). I loved it. While I was there I purchased a small gold dolphin pendent which I placed on a chain around my neck and made the oath to wear the necklace until I relocated.
Fast forward a few months and I was living in Orlando. I chose Orlando because it was 45 minutes from several beaches but also because there was an office for the FDIC there and since I had worked for them before I targeted it as my future employer. I moved in September. I had no job. I didn't know many people there (although a few of my former coworkes from the FDIC in K'ville had relocated to the area I almost never saw them). It wasn't until early December that I was hired but I didn't care. I knew where I wanted to live and I knew where I wanted to work.
I loved that job until the day it ended. It was the best job I ever had. And although I desperately missed seasons while living in 'endless summer', I never grew tired of spending days or weekends at the beach.
When life took me to New Jersey, I was happy. I was still no more than 2 hours from the beach and some of my best memories of my years in the state were created in Ocean City.
Standing on that beach in Cape Hatteras in 1991 I KNEW I never wanted to live more than a couple of hours from the ocean again. In the chaos of sadness over losing my mom, my job, my darling companion-cat Tyler, and more, I also lost sight of that soul-affirming connection to the sea.
So here it is...almost 20 years later and once again I'm remembering that "home" isn't necessarily an address. But it is a feeling.
And I'm going to check my jewelry box for that dolphin pendent. Because maybe, just maybe, this will be the year I return to living near the sea. Wish me luck :)
A friend who is an expert in helping people find their connection to nature recently commented on how we all have our natural places. For some it is the mountains. For others the sea. Or perhaps it's the big city or a small town or a farm out in the middle of Nebraska. Where is your's? And are you there now? Or do you dream of being there? If it's still only a dream, what is holding you back from pursuing it?
Thanks for stopping by again.
I'm warning you now, today's blog may seem like a bit of a ramble so I will understand if you click the little "x" now and read no further.
In the early 1990s I was dating someone and although I've managed to forget a lot of the details, I recall enough to know it wasn't a relationship destined for greatness (or longevity). Through recent discussions with this person via FB chat, I have realized that it was probably his warped sense of humor that drew me in to begin with. His reasons for participating in the relationship are his own. What I do know is that there are no accidents in life. Through my time with him I discovered something about myself that changed my life.
When his work took him to NC for several weeks he invited me for a weekend visit and we went to Cape Hatteras (in the Outerbanks). On Sunday morning as we prepared to drive back inland for my return home, I took a moment and went to stand looking out at the sea one more time. Although I had been on a cruise, I had never before been to the beach. I was surprised by how much like HOME it felt. I never wanted to leave. If, at that moment, someone had offered me the option to live forever right where I was standing, I would have accepted with no questions asked.
Have you ever been homesick for a place that wasn't home? By the time I arrived at work the following morning, I was determined. I remember my boss walking into the office to find me gazing at an atlas. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Looking for a place to live," I responded. He quirked an eyebrow at me and said, "you know, MOST people use the classifieds for that." Throughout the day we discussed different places along the Eastern seaboard that might suit my needs.
I went to visit a friend in Florida to see what I thought (remember I'd never been there before). I loved it. While I was there I purchased a small gold dolphin pendent which I placed on a chain around my neck and made the oath to wear the necklace until I relocated.
Fast forward a few months and I was living in Orlando. I chose Orlando because it was 45 minutes from several beaches but also because there was an office for the FDIC there and since I had worked for them before I targeted it as my future employer. I moved in September. I had no job. I didn't know many people there (although a few of my former coworkes from the FDIC in K'ville had relocated to the area I almost never saw them). It wasn't until early December that I was hired but I didn't care. I knew where I wanted to live and I knew where I wanted to work.
I loved that job until the day it ended. It was the best job I ever had. And although I desperately missed seasons while living in 'endless summer', I never grew tired of spending days or weekends at the beach.
When life took me to New Jersey, I was happy. I was still no more than 2 hours from the beach and some of my best memories of my years in the state were created in Ocean City.
Standing on that beach in Cape Hatteras in 1991 I KNEW I never wanted to live more than a couple of hours from the ocean again. In the chaos of sadness over losing my mom, my job, my darling companion-cat Tyler, and more, I also lost sight of that soul-affirming connection to the sea.
So here it is...almost 20 years later and once again I'm remembering that "home" isn't necessarily an address. But it is a feeling.
And I'm going to check my jewelry box for that dolphin pendent. Because maybe, just maybe, this will be the year I return to living near the sea. Wish me luck :)
A friend who is an expert in helping people find their connection to nature recently commented on how we all have our natural places. For some it is the mountains. For others the sea. Or perhaps it's the big city or a small town or a farm out in the middle of Nebraska. Where is your's? And are you there now? Or do you dream of being there? If it's still only a dream, what is holding you back from pursuing it?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Snow Day
Hello again,
I don't know if you grew up in a place where snow days were a common occurrence but I did. If you had snow days, what did you like to do on that bonus time? I remember being in the sixth grade and having several consecutive snow days. I always liked it when they announced cancellations early in the evening before so that I knew I had been granted an extension on my homework. Hmmm, perhaps I had procrastination tendencies even when I was a kid? Do you procrastinate or are you one of those enviable people who just gets things done without delaying? I've heard of people like that. I've even thought I might like to become one. But it's not me. Not now, anyway. Maybe someday?
Yesterday when the snow was falling in pre-packaged snowman size flakes (put 3 snowflakes together; add carrot, coal, and top-hat and you've got your snowman) my first thought was 'oh good, I have all day tomorrow to get stuff done around here so tonight I can play.' I read, I worked on some crafty-type stuff, and basically just turned off the shoulds in my head and did what I wanted to do.
This morning I put together my must-do list for the day and well....ooops... it's long. Longer than it should be. Perhaps this procrastination stuff doesn't work as well as I've tried to convince myself it does. LOL
I know why I procrastinate. It's stuff I don't really want to do. And some of it is repeating tasks like laundry or balancing the checkbook. Not like I can do it once, check it off, and never have to do it again. I definitely don't have a procrastination problem when it comes to doing something enjoyable like eating chocolate or reading a book. Have any of you ever heard me say "oh, I don't want to eat that candy (cookie, cake, pie) now...I will eat it later"? Nope, I didn't think so. Unfortunately knowing the why of my procrastination problem doesn't really solve it.
What I need to know is how to shake this lifelong bad habit. Any suggestions?
Wherever you are, whatever your to-do list holds, I hope you have a day that brings you the happiness of a kid on a snow day!
I don't know if you grew up in a place where snow days were a common occurrence but I did. If you had snow days, what did you like to do on that bonus time? I remember being in the sixth grade and having several consecutive snow days. I always liked it when they announced cancellations early in the evening before so that I knew I had been granted an extension on my homework. Hmmm, perhaps I had procrastination tendencies even when I was a kid? Do you procrastinate or are you one of those enviable people who just gets things done without delaying? I've heard of people like that. I've even thought I might like to become one. But it's not me. Not now, anyway. Maybe someday?
Yesterday when the snow was falling in pre-packaged snowman size flakes (put 3 snowflakes together; add carrot, coal, and top-hat and you've got your snowman) my first thought was 'oh good, I have all day tomorrow to get stuff done around here so tonight I can play.' I read, I worked on some crafty-type stuff, and basically just turned off the shoulds in my head and did what I wanted to do.
This morning I put together my must-do list for the day and well....ooops... it's long. Longer than it should be. Perhaps this procrastination stuff doesn't work as well as I've tried to convince myself it does. LOL
I know why I procrastinate. It's stuff I don't really want to do. And some of it is repeating tasks like laundry or balancing the checkbook. Not like I can do it once, check it off, and never have to do it again. I definitely don't have a procrastination problem when it comes to doing something enjoyable like eating chocolate or reading a book. Have any of you ever heard me say "oh, I don't want to eat that candy (cookie, cake, pie) now...I will eat it later"? Nope, I didn't think so. Unfortunately knowing the why of my procrastination problem doesn't really solve it.
What I need to know is how to shake this lifelong bad habit. Any suggestions?
Wherever you are, whatever your to-do list holds, I hope you have a day that brings you the happiness of a kid on a snow day!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Moments of Grace...
Hello and Happy 2011 to all of you. I hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start.
Today was interesting for me. As I mentioned in my Andiamo blog I am earning some extra money by delivering phone books this week. Today I wasn't really excited about it. It was cold and I was feeling a bit unmotivated. I have about a million to deliver (okay 1100 but you get my point). I finally convinced myself to just do it.
About 30 minutes into the delivery process I realized that one of my favorite pasttimes is to drive around looking for photo opportunities so why not just tell myself THAT was what I was doing and that I would just drop off some phone books while I was out and about anyway. Because y'all KNOW I had my camera with me. I was finding a few things to photograph.
But I was also finding some interesting people to chat with. Sometimes just a friendly homeowner thanking me for the delivery, or a welcoming smile. In one neighborhood I ended up in conversation with a lady for probably close to an hour. We chatted about animals and any number of other things - including the power of positive thinking and the health benefits to be gained from making good choices. I ran into my friend Beverly (who is married to my old classmate Brent) and got to meet her two daughters and her granddaughter.
For me the day was a lesson. I could grumble about it being cold and whine about not really wanting to do this. Or I could enjoy whatever encounters came my way. It was MUCH more enjoyable when I chose the latter rather than the former.
And as a reward I arrived home to find a delightful letter from my friend Journey and a beautiful group of online photos posted by members of my photography group. One of the guys in the group took a trip to a northern beach recently and the pictures were so magnificent!
So what moments of grace have appeared in your day? And what little (or large) treasures have you discovered? I hope they have been plentiful and that you will have more tomorrow.
And in honor of the "cat whiskers" part of the title... today I am sharing a picture of a special kitty. "Spankey" is a donor kitty at Toby's vet's office. Isn't he beautiful?
Today was interesting for me. As I mentioned in my Andiamo blog I am earning some extra money by delivering phone books this week. Today I wasn't really excited about it. It was cold and I was feeling a bit unmotivated. I have about a million to deliver (okay 1100 but you get my point). I finally convinced myself to just do it.
About 30 minutes into the delivery process I realized that one of my favorite pasttimes is to drive around looking for photo opportunities so why not just tell myself THAT was what I was doing and that I would just drop off some phone books while I was out and about anyway. Because y'all KNOW I had my camera with me. I was finding a few things to photograph.
But I was also finding some interesting people to chat with. Sometimes just a friendly homeowner thanking me for the delivery, or a welcoming smile. In one neighborhood I ended up in conversation with a lady for probably close to an hour. We chatted about animals and any number of other things - including the power of positive thinking and the health benefits to be gained from making good choices. I ran into my friend Beverly (who is married to my old classmate Brent) and got to meet her two daughters and her granddaughter.
For me the day was a lesson. I could grumble about it being cold and whine about not really wanting to do this. Or I could enjoy whatever encounters came my way. It was MUCH more enjoyable when I chose the latter rather than the former.
And as a reward I arrived home to find a delightful letter from my friend Journey and a beautiful group of online photos posted by members of my photography group. One of the guys in the group took a trip to a northern beach recently and the pictures were so magnificent!
So what moments of grace have appeared in your day? And what little (or large) treasures have you discovered? I hope they have been plentiful and that you will have more tomorrow.
And in honor of the "cat whiskers" part of the title... today I am sharing a picture of a special kitty. "Spankey" is a donor kitty at Toby's vet's office. Isn't he beautiful?
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