blogging my musings

The topic of blogging came up sat night. A friend had just found out I blog and being a non-blogger, he asked the natural questions: Why do you blog? Do you have an exhibitionist streak? What do you blog abt?

Every blogger gets confronted with these questions. By friends & mostly by oneself. Rereading my first entry, I wonder if its clear the thought process I went through before attempting this, I wonder if any of my initial intentions have changed.

Why blog?

I blog cos its fun to have a place to ponder aloud, to express my inner thoughts, feelings. I like that it’s a extension of who I am – that its a place I can put up pretty things, share songs & experiences that touch me, reveal precious moments of my life. Yes, its an imperfect, incomplete representation but an extension no less.

I blog also with a mind to encourage, to demonstrate realness in my walk with Jesus. To show nonCs & fellow Cs that Christians aren’t perfect, we are human, we have our hang-ups, tangible likes & dislikes. That it’s a struggle but its possible to live in but not be conformed to this world. That we needn’t walk alone, we can journey the straight & narrow together.

I blog to let people who are dear but apart from me know what’s going on. I blog to consolidate lessons im learning, as an archive of the ups & downs of my life.

Are you an exhibitionist?

Am I an exhibitionist? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Its something I fight everytime I blog. I also sometimes fight fears of being judged or belittled – that my sense of humour isn’t that funny or that my excitement about someone or something isn’t all that inciting to others. These days Ive learnt to be bo chap - if you like what you read, great. If you dont, its cool cos Im not here to please anyone :) There is more to a person than whats on his/her blog.

I don’t deny I like it when people like my entries or leave comments. Its part of being valued and being encouraged :) But I remind myself to keep it real – I refrain from blogging some entries when I know my motives aren’t right, self-glorifying or if it is a hypocritical take (many drafts on store!). I firmly believe you can only truly encourage when you are open & real about your own struggles. It’s a tough balance to strike between being real & yet not getting too personal. Tho it might seem otherwise, I do draw boundaries. I don’t blog about everything that I struggle with or encounter. Somethings do remain secret between me & my friends, me & my Potter.

Why don’t you be anonymous?

I think the Shadow has outlined good reasons for remaining so. I would too if not for 2 reasons. Firstly, it didn’t occur to me when I started this just cos I was blur & dumb & didn’t think of it as an option. Secondly, it takes too much thought & effort to keep the anonymity, I don’t think I have the connive in me to sustain it!
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As with all amateur bloggers, you grow in the process. So I am growing, sort of like coming to my own. I used to be shy about it, but these days I blog with more confidence. I worry less about what people might think, misconstrue and focus on just being me, putting part of myself, what God is teaching me out there… out here.

Musings aside, my intention remain the same – to be real in my journey with God and in that realness to hopefully encourage you in yours.

So, the invitation’s still open – come walk, run, fly with me… & our Potter! :)