Of course, the most obvious key to keeping said resolution was simply to post regularly. But having failed in this respect, I shall still refuse to tap out those two words which but admit to the reading
End melodrama. Begin introspection.
I won't pretend that blogging is one of the more important disciplines of life (though I do find it a helpful one). Nonetheless, thinking about the relatively unimportant "neglect of blog" problem led to parallel thoughts about greater issues of life.
Neglect is rarely born out of total forgetfulness. If anything, total forgetfulness is just one of the products of neglect.
I never totally forgot about blogging. Every week or so I would think of sitting down to write, my thoughts morphing from "It's been a little while... maybe today" to "It's been a while... maybe tomorrow" to "It's been a long while... one of these weeks." Yet as more time passed since I last posted, forgetfulness increased. As the typing of thoughts moved further from my actions, it also moved further from my mind.
Moreover, one might think that motivation to write would increase with time. But no–not writing is easiest once one has begun the habit of not writing. And the more I grow in this new habit of not writing, the more it seems that I need a bigger, better, more impressive reason to actually decide again to write.
Writing: I just never got around to it. And so thoughts of getting around to it became more infrequent. And then, when thoughts did come around, they were crushed by the mounting criteria for a worthwhile return post.
What else in my life do I treat like a blog?
The desk I
The friend I meant to stay in contact with and have been meaning to call since... how long? (But after such a long silence, don't I need a particular reason to suddenly make a phone call?)
The plan for regular Scripture memorization that I've wanted to set? (But it's so much easier to be consistent with the current no-plan while I continue my search for the perfect plan.)
Thanks for posting. This post kinda reminds me of the phrase "Just do something," and reminds me of the Jungle Jam episode of looking for the perfect picnic spot. So often we don't do anything, thinking we'll do it once it's perfect or once there’s a better time. We really have to set our minds and calendars to make time for things; don't we. Sadly, I’ve missed many "picnics" since I was looking for the perfect picnic spot. In the meantime, I let the food spoil and created discord among fellow picnickers.
ReplyDeleteIt’s actually comforting to realize that nothing is worthwhile on my own; isn't it? I can't make anything worthy of my own or others' time and attention. I must depend upon God and His guidance whether I'm writing, cleaning, working, or picnicking.
Monica
Well, it's about time (pun intended)! I am sure some people (non-family members) thought you might have fallen off the face of the earth. While your profundity is enjoyable to read, you don't have to or need to be so. Without a Facebook page, you could target a post at least once a month (while working on a draft once a week). I've wasted a lot of time (cumulatively speaking) checking your blog site for some fresh material to use in my comedy routine! LOL
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am officially no longer a lurker with this comment. TTTTB
Miss ya, Dad
Monica, well said.
ReplyDeleteDad, thanks for de-lurking! Good recommendation on working on drafts over time. I used to use drafts occasionally, but really haven't much recently... so everything just stays in my head and doesn't make any progress toward a post.
I could save you time checking the blog by signing you up for email notices.