Wherein Blogging Resembles Life

Long ago, I resolved that a certain two-word announcement would never be written on any blog of mine [think: first person singular pronoun contracted with a linking verb + indication of having returned from an absence].

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 world search engines that the blog is dying: yes, the blogger still remembers his password; no, he has nothing meaningful to say.

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 have had intended to organize? (Is it really worth it if I might not be able to keep it up permanently?)

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.)

Intentions

Why didn't you read last week's post? Ah, because I never posted it. But I intended to.

Why didn’t I post it? Ah, because I never edited it. But I intended to.

Why didn’t I edit it? Ah, because I never finished the draft. But I intended to.

Why didn’t I finish the draft? Ah, because I never started it. But I intended to.

If only the blog post were nothing more than a case of writer’s block.

I didn’t work on homework. But I intended to.

I didn’t respond to your call or email. But I intended to.

I didn’t get to sleep earlier. But I intended to.

I didn’t set time to pray today. But I intended to.

Follow through. Sometimes we simply, legitimately are unable to. Sometimes we simply, regrettably forget to. Sometimes we simply, logically decide not to.

But usually, I find that my failure to follow through cannot be blamed on inability or forgetfulness or rejection. Instead, I choose to follow through later. I’m able, I remember, I still intend to… I just didn’t get to it yet.

My priorities aren’t revealed in my intentions so much as in my actions. I'm sure I have better priorities. At least, I intended to.

Saying Hello

Introductions
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Since I've already explained my vision for this blog, I'll add only a few words of introduction here. I'm Jason... and, come to think of it I also introduced myself elsewhere as well, so I'll save the space here and encourage you to read that.

The plan is to leave comments open on every post, this one included, so if you'd like to do any introduction of your own, have at it.

What to expect from me
Most likely (unless you've scrolled down or searched the archives to get here), what you're reading here is the only post you find here. In that case, even after reading the info I linked to above (which can also be accessed by clicking the "About" tab below the blog title), it might be difficult for you to gauge whether or not it is worth your while to stick around. In that case, I can offer a link to my former blog, where you can get an idea of how I typically write, and what I like to write about.

Since you probably aren't interested in sorting through almost two hundred posts, and since I haven't been very active in updating the content this past year, I'd recommend some selected favorites, which I've called "top posts", or you can choose whatever looks like an interesting topic (see "by topic," directly below "top posts").

How often will I post new content? My hope (hold the laughter, please) is that you'll find the site updated every week, probably on the weekend, so that if you come by on Monday or Tuesday you'll find something new.

What I hope for from you
A few words on comments. I never like it when a blogger begs for comments, so I'm making it a point to not do so here, and I'll probably not bring the subject up again.

Most blog readers are commonly known as lurkers: regular readers who remain anonymous because they never comment. On the one hand, I'm fine with that. There's no rule saying that readers are obligated to leave comments; and besides, it would be hypocritical of me to say otherwise, considering how many blogs I've read without commenting. If you're encouraged by what you find here over the months to come, you're most welcome to continue reading, even if you don't comment. But...

First, I hope you feel comfortable saying hi. The blog is meant to have a personal feel (as in stylistically more conversational than Associated Press, not as in Myspace diary). It's not as though you'd be submitting a comment to an uninterested editor. Barring an unexpected deluge of comments or an unexpectedly busy week, I should be able to respond.

Second, it is a blessing for an author to receive feedback from others. Whether you are encouraged, find your thoughts stimulated, aren't sure you understand (or agree with) what I've said, or flat out disagree and want to graciously challenge me, it is usually both helpful and encouraging to hear from you. (In fact, if I'm wrong about something, I prefer that somebody speaks up.)

Third and finally, if you actually know me in real life, it would be great to hear from you at least on occasion, even if you don't become a regular commenter.