When I started this blog a little over three months ago, I wondered just what the heck I would write about.
What could I say that would be of relevance — what pearls of wisdom could I drop at readers’ feet that would want them hang around, get to know me, want to know more about my rambling thoughts?
Would it be about writing? Observations? Humor? Or would I fold under the pressure of trying to come up with something? I guess it’s turned into all those things and I still struggle sometimes to come up with posts that I think people will want to know/read about.
Press the button to the right to listen to me sing.
Once I hit the publish button, I’ll wait a few moments to hear that “ding” that alerts me I’ve got a comment in my inbox. That assurance that someone, somewhere is reading. Sometimes it’s dinging away, other times, I hear crickets. Nothing. Then, (and I’m cleaning this up for public reading; in my mindroom, the language is way-y-y more “colorful”) — Good grief, you self-absorbed narcissist, people have lives, better things to do than to sit around reading your post. I’m going to stop this…I’m gonna!
But then I’ll post something that resonates with a few people and hear those sweet dings rollin’ in. Then…
A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable…
washes over me. Validation! Marvel! Applause! Oh, a new follower! This warms the cockles of a writers’ heart (or any blogger) for that matter. Wonder of all wonders — someone is listening.
I know, there’s way more tangible and intangible, worldly things to have wonder over: Sunrises, sunsets, babies’ smiles, puppies’ pants, rain, thunder, sunshine, snowfalls, rainbows, flowers, medical breakthroughs, sun, sea, air, mountains, love, health, spiritual awakenings, art, music, novels, good food, good wine, nature…
St. Johns, Virgin Islands
And, the kindness of strangers.
It’s quite astonishing that all of us have the ability to read slices of each others’ life from just a click. When we read them, we gain new perspectives, appreciate other fellow human beings from all walks of life and we get a glimpse of their essence — who they are — their humanity. We’re not strangers anymore; we’re connecting and opening ourselves up to each other. That’s kind of a wondrous thing, don’t you think?
Maybe I’ll hear those dings today, but if not, that’ll be okay. Crickets have a wonder about them as well.
Have a magnificent Monday.
Brigitte's Banter 
lol. just kidding. ;^)
I’ll be heading off for New York for most of May, so won’t be hanging around blogsville much. When you don’t hear from me, it won’t be because I’ve lost interest; I’ll just be stepping out of cyberspace for a while. 🙂
Posted by finally_write | May 7, 2012, 2:02 pmI think everyone needs to take a break from blogsville once in awhile. Take care and safe travels.
Posted by Brigitte | May 7, 2012, 2:32 pmYou wrote exactly what my blog thoughts/experience have been so far! Except you wrote about it in a much more lovely way and more articulately than I would have. I like the part about crickets having their own wonder (as long as they stay outside the house) but I know it’s hard not to become consumed by waiting for dings, sitting there thinking, “It’s been 10 minutes since I published this—where the hell is everyone??”
Here’s to many more dings for you, but also enjoyable crickets when they happen.
Posted by Madame Weebles | May 8, 2012, 11:38 pmThank you, Madame — what a nice, nice compliment. You made my day. :). Who knows why some blog get more comments that others? It’s a mystery, but thank you so much for being a “ding.” Crickets can be a soothing sound as long as there’s not one somewhere near your bed and you can’t find it and it won’t stop singing. Thanks again and glad you got what I was trying to say. Be well and here’s to hundreds of dings to you… :).
Posted by Brigitte | May 9, 2012, 7:42 amYour writing expresses in words what I and I suspect many others feel. I keep telling myself that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any comments from a published post, but of course that’s just not quite true! Ding – you’ve got mail! 🙂
Posted by floatingwiththebreeze | May 9, 2012, 8:54 amThanks for the ding!!! :).
Posted by Brigitte | May 9, 2012, 9:11 amOh…this does resonate with me so much. We should never underestimate the power of mundane everyday magic that inspires everyone every now and then if not always.
Posted by ailialana | May 10, 2012, 3:47 pmSo true, Aileen and thank you!
Posted by Brigitte | May 10, 2012, 5:15 pmWhen I first started writing my blog I said it was simply for the creative outlet ( I had never written anything before). But you are so right. We put it on a public forum because we want someone to read it and relate and connect and those things absolutely give us validation. Great post, I enjoyed reading.
Posted by Simon | May 17, 2012, 8:24 pmThanks, Simon. Your writing is so humorous and spot on so I consider that a huge compliment coming from you. :).
Posted by Brigitte | May 17, 2012, 8:41 pmI think writing is a good way to connect with people, learn from them, inspire new thoughts in one another, and simply enjoy putting something positive or funny or uplifting out into the universe! Thanks for your post.
Posted by mark lloyd richardson | May 18, 2012, 12:47 amYou’re very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Funny, positive and inspiring are always good things. :).
Posted by Brigitte | May 18, 2012, 8:54 amI don’t get very many dings (and the ones I do are mostly from my sister!), but when I do my confidence returns and I get a little spring in my step. I couldn’t help commenting on this, even though you probably get more dings these days than you can handle. I just liked the thought of sending you a ding of my own, even if it is 5 months late…
Posted by charlotterose | October 17, 2012, 7:31 amHi Charlotte. I was the same way at one time, trust me. It takes a while. And thank you for your “ding” and your kind words — it’s ALWAYS appreciated. :).
Posted by Brigitte | October 17, 2012, 11:46 am