What I have learned about blogging.

I can't believe that in April I will have been blogging for 2 years!!!! What a blessing this journey has been and continues to be in my life. I not only have grown in my writing ability(so I am told), but I have grown in my relationship in the Lord and in my friends. It is amazing to me that I have so many people in my life that take the time to listen to what I have to say and still want to be my friend, LOL! I mean I have the tendency to get on a soapbox sometimes and those who haven't gotten sick of me talking about CR well, you must just be immune! When I first started my blog, I thought it would be an online journal of sorts to God and myself and maybe some person here or there who would stumble upon me. Now I know full well that God have given me this opportunity to share the blessings and lessons that I have learned in life with others. Not only to pass along the blessings but to get blessings back and learn from others too. Each person that reads my blog whether anonymus or known is a blessing to me. The time spent to read a blog, especially a long blog like mine, is not dismissed with me. I know that your time is valuable and I appreciate the trust it takes to take that time. I truly do appreciate you and please know that all comments, whether they agree or disagree with me are precious to me. I am not perfect and I make mistakes all the time. I learn the way you learn, by watching and imitating and failing and succeeding. Each opportunity is a chance to learn something.
So here are something I have learned since starting my blog.

You do not have to be a good writer to be a good blogger.

Blogging for me is about what you know and what is truly special in your life. Your talents, your fears, your spirit. I have read and loved many different types of blogs. If you are into photography a picture and a small sentence can become brilliance, if that is what you love to do. Food blogs for this food addict are dangerous, but I have savored many a recipe without even tasting a dish, by the way the blog is written and portrayed. What I don't do well with is blogs that have no personality. If the blogger posts tons of random pictures and recipes and junk, but never exposes themselves, then it isn't worth my time. I can see junk and inspirational stuff through email, but if there is not heart behind it, it is the same as clanging symbols in my head. I want to know about you and know that you care about me. If you are just going to parade me with junk I will probably delete you. Thankfully, I don't have to be a good writer. Many times I read my posts later and cringe at the grammer and missed words. I hope that it isn't too apparant my mistakes, but I promise to make a better effort to read over my work carefully before I post.

Thoroughly read through a blog before you follow.
When I first started blogging, I was so longing for approval and acceptance that I friended everyone, in hopes that they would friend me back. I have learned since then that I don't want certain followers and that my following others should be just as much a God-guided decision as what I write. I have found that certain followers don't have the integrity I have tried to keep in my blog. Don't get me wrong I am not trying to judge others, but I really have learned that spending time with negitive people makes me negitive too! And I really don't have much tolerence for bad language. I also really take it seriously when someone follows me. I take the time to follow them (if they have integrity) and try and get to know them. So I feel that it is important that they do the samething. If they are just trying to get followers and don't really care about what that person will add to their life then I really have to think hard about whether or not to follow them. I also have found that sometimes that you have to not worry about what others think and unfriend someone if it doesn't feel right. I have a person that I have followed, but I just don't want to read her blog. I can't put my finger on why, she is full of integrity and she posts on topics I can relate too. Maybe it is because she seems too accomplished to me. Her blog is more about instructing how to do something then talking about her experiences. I guess? Well, so I have decided it isn't fair to get her posts if I am not going to even look at them. Sometimes you just have to buck up and do it.

There is such thing as blogging ettiquitte (sp?).

Just as it would be rude to sit next to someone without acknowledging them, it is just as rude to not acknowledge your followers. When someone puts themselves out there by commenting on your post, then it is plain rude to not even acknowledge them. I can tell you that I have written countless comments on certain blogs to have them never respond to me. It is different if it happens once or twice, but countless times, tells me that they don't care. And that never feels good. Let me tell you that there is a woman who blogs that has eight children and everytime I comment on her blog, she comments on mine. I don't know how she does it, because she has countless followers! You know who you are and thank you! I have learned that the best way to get true followers that enrich your blog and your life is to enrich theirs. Like I said that comments are great! Also, it is important to check your followed blogs often. Blogging is not just a writing endevour (sp?). It is a community that can be very helpful or hurtful. If you choose to follow someone then read their posts. You don't have to read everyone, but occasionally checking in on them is just plain common sense. Also, just like in school, never steal from another blogger without acknowledging them or asking their permission. It is still plagerism. Now bloggers borrow ideas from other bloggers all the time, but to completly steal from them is wrong. It is also nice to ask them before you link them in your blog, or at least let them know you linked them. It's a great way to show your appreciation to fellow bloggers to give them some blog love.

So I hope that you have gained some insight to blogging and all it's responsibilities. But most of all I hope that if you are considering blogging that this helps you make a decision. I have never recieved a blessing like I have with blogging. So if you have some things you are passionate about and love to write about it, then blogging might be for you!