Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Dead Blog Walking


I haven’t posted a Blog in years. In fact, I kind of thought the Blog was a little bit dead. But if so, what has replaced it? I suppose everything has gone the way of the social network these days. Unfortunately, just like my Blog here, I’m not very good at keeping up with social media. However, this is something I happen to appreciate about myself. I love the fact that I don’t feel the immediate need to post an update on social media when something newsworthy or special occurs in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I do post, but it’s usually an afterthought or something I make myself do. I’d prefer to just be present in the moment and enjoy it. Of course, there’s also the opposite situation, when things might not be going my way. And in this case, social media is the last place I want to turn to. I’m pretty sure I’ve discussed this before in a Blog, but I’m one to internalize and withdraw when I am going through turmoil in my life. 
I also have a love-hate relationship with social media. On one hand, I cannot quit it. I appreciate seeing the updates of my family and friends. I even appreciate the hands-off relationships it creates. Although, I also think it waters down those relationships in our lives that we should nurture. The fact is that you could not actually maintain a functioning relationship with every acquaintance, childhood friend, distant relative, or old neighbor that you probably maintain in your given friend list. On the other hand, relying on social media to passively communicate with your sister or even your best friend (even if she is across the miles) will not foster a healthy, active relationship. I know this from experience.
So, I could go on and on listing the pro’s and con’s and loves and hates of every social media platform, but that’s not really my aim here. My thoughts are this…even if Blogs are dead…even if social media has many ways to replace the life-capturing aspects of a Blog…I am discovering that this Blog still has a place in my life. I’ve always treated my Blog as a diary of sorts, and I’ve never had a true following for my Blog. So, all that really matters is that I come here. That I have something to say here. 
There is plenty of research that tells us that journaling is healthy for working out your feelings. I find that to be the case for me. I also appreciate being able to look back and remember a time through my own words and observations. I recently looked back on an old Blog to convey a sentiment to my young niece. We both really enjoyed going down the wormhole and reliving my words. Of course, she helped me to reinvigorate my desire to Blog. The fact of the matter, is that I really want to capture this time in my life. I want to have it in writing and in pictures to look back on.
So, here I am! 
Viva la Blog.
"Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene
"Success is not final, Failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Sir Winston Churchill