Saturday, February 19, 2011

Taking Joy in the Moment

I've been blogging for a month now (a short month...a February's worth of blog posts). Overall it's been a positive experience even though I get a little irritated about it most weeknights. I'm tired and winding down from the workday and then I realize that I need to post something, and I usually have no idea what I'm going to write about. But I've been surprised and pleased to find that with a bit of thought and effort, the words do come. (I find that jotting down all those random thoughts that pop into my head at odd moments is a big help. Many of those little "nuggets" can later be expanded into full-length blog posts.)

Writing a blog is much like posting a profile on a dating web site. You feel like you're putting yourself out there in front of the whole world, simultaneously fearful that everybody will see you, and that nobody will see you. You're just one of millions, and most of the few who do see you will spare barely a glance before thinking "meh" and clicking the "Next" button. You choose your words so carefully, crafting the image that you want to present but knowing that some central, cherished aspect of your life—your kids, your pet, your hobby, your taste in books or movies or music, your lifestyle—will be an immediate turn-off for someone. Or maybe your words "click" for somebody out there, and a connection is forged, whether you ever learn about it or not.

I've decided that the secret to happy blogging, and "successful" use of online dating sites, and so many other things in life, is to be the best you can at being yourself (after all, who else can be you, and who else can you be?), and let that be enough. Publishing a blog post or being open to the possibility of a relationship is an achievement, a Good Thing in and of itself, even if it doesn't lead to a book contract or the love of my life. Not that I would spurn either of those!

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