I have a bad habit of going back to re-read my posts when someone posts a comment about them, since I have my settings so that it requires me to go into the post to publish the comments.
So the other day, I came into my last blog entry and re-read what I had written. I cringed. The biggest problem with blogging is that people read what you write, the way you wrote it. Now there are several issues that I have with this. First, I saw that there were several grammatical errors. I know everyone has these occasionally and I doubt anyone thought poorly of me because of them, but it just drives my perfectionist nature bonkers. The second thing I noticed was that what I wrote made it sound like I was a martyr in giving to the needy, which is SO FAR from the truth. There is not ONE THING that I need that I do not have and there are many more things that I don't need, but I wanted and, therefore, I own. Third, since people are reading a static word and not referencing my body language, expressions, and attitude, sometimes meanings can be misconstrued or misunderstood. Something that may have been intended to be humorous, could be seen as arrogant or rude. Also, by writing about any subject it makes you somehow sound like the authority or expert on the subject. We can all thank our teachers who told us to state our opinions, research findings, or thoughts in direct ways with solid sentences in papers throughout our school years. I am no expert or authority on any one subject. If my writing makes me appear that I am, then I am deceiving you. Many of the things that I write about are things that I am wrestling with the answers to myself. Lastly, you cannot control how people feel about what you wrote. I read the blog, "Stuff Christians Like" and one of his blogs was picked up by a national syndicate. The comments from those who share different opinions on Christianity and his perspective were brutal. I couldn't even continue reading them, so I can't imagine the turmoil I would have felt if those people had been commenting on something I had written. What I thought was a very clever, thought-provoking, comical post, others viewed very differently.
With all things considered, if I am to continue my blog, which I would like to do, I must give myself a little grace. I must give my readers the benefit to take it or leave it, and, hopefully, think none the worse of me for it. And I can also offer the same grace to others who I may read out in the blogosphere.
Do you ever ruminate on your old blog posts?
2 comments:
No. I am the expert on everything. At least that is what I am told by some. So why ruminate, that word alone is too much like the word linger and everyone knows you do not want things to linger. Letting things linger stinks sometimes.
I can totally understand your perspective. I am so wary of seeming like I A. have it all together or B. am writing something "new" and ..... so many other reasons. On the other hand I like to write (from time to time) and hope someone can get a little bit of something from what I might share. I will keep reading your blog and hope you continue to post.
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