Blogging

Why do I blog? This was a question, though valid, that blindsided me a few weeks ago.

A long time friend who's opinions I not only value but seek was asking out of curiosity and a small amount of bewilderment, the idea of blogging being as foreign to her as the act of sharing an ice cream cone with a sibling is to a five year old. She wanted to know how I could be comfortable airing all of my personal laundry in a venue accessible to anyone with a computer.

I had never really thought about it - my only questioning of this practice was in response to a self created aversion to having to admit to being a blogger - and struggled to come up with a simple explanation. It was during the process of formulating my response that I was struck with the curiosity as to why it is a practice more questionable than common, though I suppose the extent of the freedom with which I divulge my thoughts does beg the question.

While I understand the inherent desire to keep one's private thoughts away from public opinion I wonder why so many people are afraid to share their stories; it is almost as though most people either do not feel they have an experience worth sharing or struggle with the belief that they have an adequate voice. It seems to me that happiness and understanding in life is created through connection and connection is increased through commonality. This being fairly true, what better way is there to assist others in their journey than through these shared stories as stories make us laugh and cry; stories can put into words emotions we cannot voice and can help us understand our own feelings.

But I digress as all of these thoughts are in avoidance of the question itself. So, getting past the questioning of the question, I do suppose, on the basest level, the reason I blog is to feed my ego.

While I do use blogging as a means to organize and substantiate the thoughts that spend hours swimming around in my conscious mind in an attempt to gain understanding, it is the desire to hear people's responses to these thoughts that truly draws me to the practice. A secondary goal of my ego houses the hope that I am capable of one day writing a book or two and, thus, I use this outlet to hone my rough voice and gather the opinions of others about what is readable and what is gibberish (and, please, if anyone wants to be my editor, let me know as grasp of grammar and punctuation eludes me like a dropped garden hose at full pressure).

I have found through this whole process that others' opinions have provided the biggest enjoyment for me; my favorite opinion has been geared towards how unexpected my voice and thoughts are to the readers. I suppose being lost in my own head for so long I had thought that judgment passed on the cause of my quiet and confused nature was easy to ascertain, I sense now that the judgments passed may have ranged much father outside of the realm of "philosophical dilemmas" and am curious - and perhaps a bit scared - as to people's initial thoughts about who I am.

Another digression aside, I have found that while searching for an adequate way to respond to a simple question I came across a complex process (and yes, I am aware that this may have to do more with my nature than with anything). I have also found that, though difficult at times, this process is one I would be remiss to trade as the insights I have received into others has been invaluable.

And so I ask, what do you have to say, what stories in your life have provided you comfort and guidance? Maybe they can help others - or at least provide us amusement in their read. Why not share? Blogging is simple, and you don't even have to be as egotistical as me to start.