Thursday, April 30, 2009

Why I Love Blogging

Note: Photostory Friday is the post below this one.


cupcakes



Blogging is an adaptable journey. I’ve been blogging now for four years, and while I’ve written a post before about why I blog, just like the rest of life and its various goals change with time, my blog and the reasons behind it also evolves. So, when Joy said she was having a blogging party, based on “Why I Love Blogging” I thought I would take the opportunity to explore my current reasons.

I started my little ole blog as a way to keep in touch with family across the miles. It has seen me through:

  • Building a house my husband and sons (exhausting work)

  • Getting diagnosed with cancer/going through chemo (a place to spill my fears & worries and find wonderful support)

  • Children leaving the nest (only one left)

  • My dry spell while I tried to decide what to say (I’m plenty loquacious now)

  • The birth of my first grandchild (now I have three)

  • Vacations, Travel and Family Craziness (with 6 kids there’s plenty)

  • Starting a Photography Business (growing nicely)

  • Weight loss and finding myself again (including cancer rechecks - still in remission!)


lc1035



But where is it now? Why do I keep posting? Still a top reason for me is the bloganship here in bloggy land. I have met the best people, through comments, emails and reading their blogs - I feel like I have friends all over the world. And I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to meet a handful of them.

Another big reason I continue is that this is My world ~ Lisa Land. It sounds really funny to have that come out of me, because in life I am the type of person who just goes with the flow, I’m a follower, not a leader. But this is a place where I am Queen and can have things my way, and after all this time I feel pretty comfortable with that. If I feel like rambling on at length I can. If I don’t feel like talking I can just throw up a photo. If I need a sounding board I turn here. I find inspiration from my friends (yes, you!) and comfort. Blogging makes me feel a part of a huge family, no longer the lonely only child.

I did it!



Even if you aren’t participating in the blog party I would love to hear why you blog. So, I ask you, why do you love blogging?

43 comments:

  1. First, I give thanks for your health and strength.

    What amazing comraderie I find in the blogosphere. I have basically travelled to your geographical area via your photos and emails.

    You are a beautiful soul.

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  2. Hello,

    Blogging is so wonderful! Love your blogging in training, so very cute!


    ~ Gabriela ~

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  3. I blog because it's a outlet.

    Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.

    Same thoughts I have with my life beyond the keyboard.

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  4. First of all....YUMMY photos!!! I blog because it is a way to express myself, share some happy thoughts and pass a little big of positive attitude out there. Also, I have always LOVED to take photos & blogging gives me something to do with them. And yes, there are a whole lotta pretty cool people out there:)

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  5. All the Best reasons.
    Now excuse me, first I have to eat some....mjumjum :)

    I love to blog,why?
    It's my travel journal, my normal journal,my support group, my Photo album and often I just simply pimp my shop :)

    You guys all help me grow as a Photographer, but don't make me feel guilty when I post crappy shots.

    I just love my online bloggy friends :)

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  6. I thought that cupcake photo was really cute until I saw the baby pic and let me tell you - that's cute!

    When I started blogging it was mainly as an online journal to sort of keep track of my life. Now, I've made so many wonderful friends that I think I blog to stay in touch and to be a part of such a wonderful community of people.
    I would never have dreamed that I'd have friends all over the world but I do and I LOVE it!

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  7. Why I love blogging is a blog post all its own, but one of the main reasons is because I get me to meet others people, like you, Lisa. Sharing common interests, joys, life experiences, and talking about them. It doesn't get any better...................:)

    Thank you for being here and sharing life.

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  8. i am so sorry but i have to disagree completely with you lisa. someone who has six children, survives cancer and its treatment, hosts one of the more interesting blogs, starts a photography business, is not a person who is a follower and goes with the flow!!! you are so much a leader.

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  9. Bloggers are just a big (diverse) extended family. So you share, hash things out.. you know - what you do. What we do.

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  10. I am proud to be your blogging "sister." I've never had a sister and now I have so many! Woot!

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  11. I totaly love the second picture

    great photo friday

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  12. blogging started, for me, as an outlet and a place for me to post about positive aspects of my life after my daughter died. well, it has evolved to be a creative outlet as well, and a bigger than big support unit thoughout my husband's illness and really, some days, all I do is sit and read blogs, just to pass the time, to get out of my own head for a while. I read other people's blogs because it inspires me, teaches me new things (I've learned alot in bloggy land! ) and , most importantly, it made me realize i'm not the only one going through the tragic events of my life.

    happy blogging !

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  13. Oh my that last photo is absolutely priceless!

    When my blog first started it was a black hole. I vented, I ranted, and nobody read it. Which was okay because I really didn't have any expectations that they would. And in the first year and a half I wrote 20 posts. Yeah, you heard right. 18 months, 20 posts. Hard to believe if you came along these days when that's less than a week's worth. But what I found out was that once people started visiting, they actually liked what they saw. And (gasp!) they came back! All of a sudden I wasn't just an anonymous face in the crowd, I actually had things to say and people were actually listening. Or looking at the pictures anyway. Who knew?

    I'm still amazed.

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  14. I agree with you! Lots of people who knew I could write and have things to say, and also knew that I made jewelry creations encouraged me to blog as a way to showcase my work. I know that there are plenty who use it as a marketing vehicle, some I even follow, but I really don't intend for my blog to be about selling. I would feel kind of cheap doing that....gaining your trust with my blog and then announcing that my earrings are on sale! I thought about it quite a lot before I started and did a lot of research, which is something I would do anyway even though I am frequently jumping in with both feet (this is the dichotomy of me). I also picked up an issue of Artful Blogging magazine where I had an epiphany. I wanted my blog to be a place for me to post about the creative process and the inspiration that is all around, whether that is manifested in my jewelry designing or my children's Christmas program. I figured that no one outside my family would read it, but it would be for me to formulate my thoughts and clarify my values and journey as an artist. I have been blessed with so much more through it. I have made some great cyber-friendships with bloggers all around the world, even planning to meet some of them (like hopefully you!) someday. I was told by a business acquaintance that it was a waste of my time to do it, and that if it wasn't monetized that I shouldn't even consider it. I am proud to say that skeptic has been proved wrong. I would never think of monetizing my blog with ads or even my own sales pitch, and I have always believed that there is a community of people out there in the world who think the same way I do and are seeking connections. I am all about making connections and this is why I will continue. I now have 50 followers and I didn't start until last November. So now I have a duty to provide content that will engage my new friends and inspire me. Thanks for letting me share, Lisa! Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  15. It was very nice to meet you through the blog party, Lisa. I enjoyed reading why you love blogging and I love your little blogger in training. Have a great day.
    Debby

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  16. Hi Lisa, I started blogging when Carrie did, after she moved to the right coast. It was a great way to keep in touch. Before that I had a website for my book reviews, now it's all blog. I keep blogging for a lot of reasons: I re-discovered my love of photography, I've "met" so many wonderful people, and a few stinkers. Now, it's a habit, that I'll keep.

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  17. similar reasons to you--except I've never had cancer. Congratulations on being in remission. My biggest reason for blogging is because I tend my grandchildren all day, every day. Sometimes I get feeling quite isolated, blogging keeps me aware of others. My most surprising discovery has been similar to yours, I am the queen bee on my blog. I can put up the things I like, say the things I want to say--after 30 some odd years of mothering, I'm discovering myself. I liked this post.

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  18. I blog for my kids mostly but over time I think I am starting to blog for different reasons. I might have to explore the reason why myself.

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  19. Well, I'm certainly glad you blog because your photographs always inspire me. :) Great PSF as well. You always do such a great job capturing birds.

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  20. I still blog, rather sporadic lately, for the same exact reasons you mentioned in your last 2 paragraphs, especially the last sentence, "Blogging makes me feel a part of a huge family, no longer the lonely only child." I'm so happy that I got a chance to meet you,I know it won't be the last!!! XOXO

    I adore the picture of Tristan! I'll never get over how cute he is!!

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  21. For me, mostly. Is that selfish? I like to write, to preserve moments or things about our lives I might otherwise forget. And for our daughter (who loooooooved the cupcake picture, by the way), so maybe she can read it back someday and get a feel for what it was like; the things she won't remember.

    Loved the pictures. Yeah...especially the cupcake. :-)

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  22. I'm thinking that blogs give much joy to the writer and more to the followers. It's really a win win situation. Thanks for providing us with a good one.

    Keep up the good work and that watermelon sure looks good! Summer must be approaching.

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  23. I loved finding your blog and check it daily...but I have only been in blogland for half a month...so I missed out on your journey over the last four years. I am glad that your cancer is in remission! I look forward to your daily photos and writings. I too love blogging for the fact that I can be the real me, and not the one the public sees in the background--if they even see me at all. I am queen of my own ramblings and even if no one else reads them, they make me feel better~ And I too love my new comrads and friendships I have gotten from here!
    Have a blessing-filled weekend!

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  24. well one reason is to come see your work...its ravishing as usual...

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  25. Oh, I love this post!!

    I have a lot of reasons for loving blogging, but this is a big one: http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/2009/03/wordful-wednesday-and-what-blogging-has.html


    XO

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  26. Loved getting to know you through the Beautiful Blogging Party! It sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for. I wish you much health and happiness! (*_*) ~Stacy~ P.S. Love your photos!

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  27. I started blogging so that I could chronicle things going on
    I stayed blogging because it gave me an outlet of creativity never experienced
    I continue blogging because I have friends everywhere that reciprocate my devotion and expression

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  28. You've said it well my friend! Sorry if I'm late to the party, but have been running around.

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  29. Happy Blog Party! Glad to meet you! Thank you for sharing~ Hope you get a chance to visit me soon.
    Friends always welcome for sharing and caring ;) ~Theresa

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  30. Great post, and thanks for asking everyone else to share! I love blogging for many of the same reasons you do - because I have discovered such a fabulous and diverse and supportive community of fellow bloggers. And through blogging, I've re-discovered my creative side and have even discovered the courage to try to make a living out of being creative. What's not to love about all of that?

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  31. I started blogging because my husband was working out of state and I needed something to help fill the space of all that alone time. I love showing my photos and seeing other's photos. Get ideas for my photography from other's photography. You inspire me when I see something here as often as not I think "what a great photo idea".

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun


    Leedra’s Greeting Cards


    Photography By Leedra

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  32. Great post! I love blogging because it is a great journey to get to know people from all over that I wouldn't be able to normally due to where I live verses where they love. I also love that my family from all over can follow our growing family through our posts and see the kids in more pictures then the ones we send them. It also has helped me find things I enjoy doing more of...find my creative side more and see some talents I didn't know that I had.

    Thanks for asking. i have enjoyed reading everyone's responses.

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  33. I love that expression at the keyboard!
    I blog because I had to for class and I don't want to stop until I get it right. Looks like I'll be doing it for a lot longer.

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  34. Hi Lisa,
    I love this post! I love it because it's spoken from the heart, and it just simply is what this means to you.

    I began blogging just over a year ago (you're a blogging veteran!) - and I began that just as a place to write. Not in my wildest dreams did I think that I would become as connected to it as I have. And I am connected because of exactly that - connections. I have developed connections and relationships with so many wonderful people from all over the world - people who honestly care. And this is humbling for me. And so gratifying also. Through blogging my life feels so much more fulfilled. And that's not to say that I live in a make-believe online world. It's so much more than that. Because of blogging, friendships have been developed, I've worked offline with some, I met a couple of people in real life - and everytime any of this happens that is something more than a blog post or a comment - I'm reminded just how important this all is to me.

    Lisa, thanks for sharing part of your journey. It's given me time to reflect myself, which is an important thing for me - and one I don't necessarily do enough of. Here's to many more years to come...

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  35. What a beautiful blog party you have! I think your post has already mentioned all the great main reasons to blog. Having friends all over the world is so amazing. I have met very supportive and inspiring people, like you. Have a great weekend, Lisa :)

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  36. I loved reading why you blog--very heartfelt and sincere. I have to say as well that I LOVE your photos! Wonderful pics! My reason for blogging is for many reasons, but I did leave my "why" on my blog---http://scrapmomsmusings. Stop by for a visit!

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  37. I love that this is Lisa Land -- a place that is just for you and things get done YOUR way! I think every woman needs that. And creativity and friendships are so important -- and blogging combines them in a wonderful and supportive way. I'm much newer to blogging than you but I'm finding that it is something I needed for myself and my own sanity. And what a record of your life you have!

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  38. I have a love/not so fond relationship with blogging sometimes. Why? blogging is therupeutic for me. I haven't been blogging long and don't know how long I will, but I know one thing, it's so exciting when someone has been really touched and blessed by my posting. And I love when I have the same experience elsewhere...like here! thank you!!

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  39. P.S. I'm so happy that you are healthy!! I know you will stay that way. Why? You are blogging...(smile)

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  40. Great entry Lisa and the photos you chose for this entry are just gorgeous! I love blogging for the friendship as you do and yes, it's my own little place where I can do whatever I feel like doing, my little world - my quiet little world! The rest of my world tends to be almost obnoxiously loud!

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  41. Like you, I started to blogging after I moved to KS to provide a way for family and friends to see and know what I'm doing, how I'm adjusting. So much easier than sending individual emails with pics attached! But over the last 5 months, my blog has evolved and I seem to have formed bonds with other bloggers. I have met some wonderful people thru blogging, and I think you do form a "blogging family". Now my blogging seems to favor keeping in touch with all my bloggy friends, and if family/friends want to follow along too, well, that's just a bonus. :-)

    Love your last photo -- what a cute lil blogger! :) :)

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  42. Hello Lisa! Loved your heartfelt post and the picture of the sweet little blogger! I wanted to stop by and thank you for participating in the Beautiful Blogging Party!! I hope you enjoyed the event and also enjoyed meetings lots of new bloggers. Have a beautiful week ~ Joy

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  43. A wonderful post and pretty much the same for me. I love that I have people I kind of know all over the world and people I have met in person also. I like that I can look back at some posts and be there again because it looks so familiar even if it was 2 years ago. It is a good way to check on when we did this or that, because there are certain people in this family who like to argue and think they know everything. I love the comments and that I am the boss of my blog too because it seems the rest of my world isn't always falling in place, but I have say on my blog. I hope I am still blogging in 4 years too.

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