It’s still a surprise for me to discover that I’m a blogger. I never meant to be. It came about by accident. Six years ago Don and I were about to embark on a six-week journey to the Cook Islands, Australia, and Vietnam. I belong to an online forum for fans of figure skating. My forum friends encouraged me to share our adventure on the forum in the non-skating section. Without this invitation I never would have thought of documenting our journey other than with a few photographs.
I’m still not entirely comfortable with labeling myself as a blogger. This stems largely from a perception, which may or not be accurate, that most people don’t take blogging seriously. I suppose I don’t like being seen as a dilettante, even though I may be one. I’d like the occupation of blogging to be acknowledged as worthwhile even when there’s no financial reward. I feel as if only those who blog understand the meaning of it. I suppose we are all in our own little club, and goddam it nobody takes us seriously! I claim the label blogger in the face of this perception. And apparently I care about this. On the odd occasion that I actually think about my perception that blogging is not respected it’s mildly annoying, but nothing like annoying enough to stop me from blogging. Or sharing the blog with non-bloggers, or calling myself a blogger.
So why do I do it? Well I won’t pretend that I don’t like the feedback and the sense of community. Within the blogging community people get it. Here online we get what blogging is about, and support each other in our endeavours. It’s encouraging that there are people who are interested enough to follow, and to comment, and of course I’m thrilled every time with the compliments about my writing and my photography, and with being included in an online community. I love it all. I love you all. You animate and give meaning to my endeavours. “Likes”, comments, followers, and online community all give life to a blog that would otherwise hang in space like a drifting helium balloon. But all of this is not why I do it. It’s the icing and the cherry on top, but it’s not the cake.
This blog has had me in its grip for five years now. At times it’s been stressful, at times I’ve carried it as a burden, but I can never let go of it. Over the years I’ve thought a lot about why I do it, and I feel clearer about that now than I ever have. There are really only two reasons.
The first is the creative act. I believe that it is our essential nature to create. Even the poorest of us are creative. As I travel the world I’m constantly astounded by the creativity of the human species. In a small isolated village in Myanmar I saw a man creating a dolly from local wood, including the wheels. It was all carved by hand.
In Cambodia the short stems of an invasive water plant are used to make beautiful items ranging from baskets to mats to furniture.
In ordinary everyday life, everywhere you look, there is creativity: from meals to clothing to furniture to shelter. In every aspect of life creativity is what keeps it moving forward. And then of course there is the kind of creativity that has no obvious function, but is purely artistic – writing, painting, sculpture, photography, music, and theatre.
I was lucky enough to be raised in a family that values creativity: even, and perhaps especially, the kind of creativity that is about more than mere survival, the kind of creativity that is about the survival and enrichment of the soul. As a result I’ve been creative all my life – in a wide variety of crafts, in the theatre, as a painter, and more recently as a writer and photographer. I don’t know how to not be creative. Since I no longer have a home, and I can’t carry craft or art materials with me as we travel, writing and photography have become my creative outlets that I then share through the blog. This endeavor has been, and continues to be, a stimulating and challenging learning curve.
The second reason I blog is the need to give it away. Part of the very definition of the creative urge behind this blog is the sharing of it. Most artists create because they can’t help themselves. The creative urge arises, inspiration moves us forward, and then we have something where before there was nothing. Most artists work alone. That which has been created is a secret until the decision to share it is reached. Sometimes it is a delicious secret held close to the heart, a dance of creator and created that is meant for a time to be held in that cauldron of love. Sometimes it is a scratching secret, wanting out, wanting to be in the world but held back by fear. Either way there is something about the act of sharing with the world, however big or small that world might be, that completes the creative process.
Creativity has a luminance that aches to be shared, and I suspect that at some level every artist knows this. Something is created from nothing. The act of then giving it away is perhaps the most important purpose of creation, even if it is gifted to only one other person. It is not an altruistic act; it is not done as a kindness to the world, though that may be a side effect. It’s that the act of giving it away completes the creative process and makes it real. Then the sharing of that which has been created can bring forth new ideas and perceptions. The sharing of it is the foundation of change. Imagine the course of modern painting if Picasso had not shared his cubist works, or the course of theatre if Shakespeare had not shared his plays.
All this writing, and all this photography I do as we travel the world – I can’t not do it. I love photography the most, having been a visual artist all my life, but even the writing, though more challenging, tugs at me to be expressed. And then, through the blog I give it away, because if I don’t it has nowhere to land, no home, no validity. If I don’t give it away I’m not sure it would even really exist. At least it would not exist in any meaningful way.
I’m grateful for the creative urges that arise within me. I don’t for a minute claim them as my own. They arise, they fall away. It’s not like I have any control over inspiration. And I’m grateful for all of you who read this blog and bring to completion that which has been created through me. I love the way the creative tapestry of – everything! – completes itself. I love the way we all weave the luminance together, without even trying.
Finally I must give credit to my online friend, and much loved member of my blogging community, Michael Mark, for the inspiration for this post. On his blog Embracing Forever Michael wrote a post about his decision to pursue writing, to become a writer. His final sentence in that post, referring to what we need to sustain us, is: Only the need to give it away. I gasped with recognition when I read it. On that potent involuntary in breath I finally understood what it’s all about: the need to give it away. In that moment I got it that whatever we create is not finished until we share it.
Photos of the day: Top – Sunflower, Vancouver, Canada.
Bottom – Passion Flower, Vancouver, Canada
All words and images by Alison Louise Armstrong unless otherwise noted
© Alison Louise Armstrong and Adventures in Wonderland – a pilgrimage of the heart, 2010-2016.
Alison, this is a powerful post. I watched a great course on Creativelive yesterday and she said many similar things. Thank you for writing this as it helps to validate what I am doing and some of the emotions I have been experiencing (I am a late bloomer to the creative space). Keep it up!!
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Thanks so much Debbie. I’m glad you found it helpful. It’s been a wonderful experience for me to recognize this, and to write about it. Keep on being creative! And sharing it!
Alison
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Excellent, Alison. So profound and so true. ♥
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Thanks Isabella. It really was a profound insight for me. Of course we all like the ego strokes, but I knew there had toy be more to it than that.
Alison
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Beautifully written and wonderfully expressed, Alison. Thank you! I copied down your line: “whatever we create is not finished until we share it.” That resonated deeply with me. I always look forward to your photos and accompanying words.
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Thanks so much Donna. It resonated deeply for me too – this idea that all we need to sustain our creative endeavours is the inner need to give it away. Honestly I’m not even sure if that’s exactly what Michael meant, but it’s the meaning that leapt out for me anyway, and from that seeing that what I create is only complete when I share it.
Alison
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Well put. I got into it as a creative outlet after I retired, and as a mechanism to help remember trips and adventures. I didn’t find out until later how much value I get from sharing, and the community that comes with it. Not to mention discovering other creative outlets like this one.
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Thanks Dave. I too didn’t discover the value of the community ’til much later. When I started I had no idea it even existed, and the blog was essentially perky letters home that I sent to friends and family. Nor did I understand the possibilities for creativity. It’s been, and continues to be, a wonderful journey.
Alison
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Beautifully expressed, Alison. Never let it go.
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Thanks Ros. I don’t think I will. It enriches my life so much.
Alison
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You have set me to thinking here! I think I agree with everything you’ve said, but I need to ponder it – to wonder if my reasons for blogging are the same as yours, or similar, or actually different – because I haven’t really analyzed what makes me want to sit down and create my blog. I think I do want to share, I do feel a strong urge to be creative in my own way, and I also want to create a permanent repository for my ruminations and wanderings … but what parts of that really drive the creation? I’m not sure. Thanks for the meaty nugget to chew on tonight!
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Thanks Lex, and you’re welcome. I was a bit relieved when I realized this about the creative process, and that the need to give it away was a driving force behind the blog. I didn’t want it to be all about the ego strokes lol. I’ve never blogged to have a record of our travels, though I am now very glad to have it. It all seems to weave itself together into a perfect whole doesn’t it.
Alison
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And we’re glad you DO blog! 🙂
I’ve never for an instant thought of blogging as something people don’t take seriously. I was a blogger for 10 years, starting in the very early days of blogging when there were fewer blogs and people really read read them, subscribed to them, and kept coming back to them. I believe people still do, especially the quality blogs like yours. My target audience, educators and their students from high school to post-grad level, seriously appreciated my blog. They came to it regularly in the thousands to access the information I researched, gathered, and posted daily. It provided all sorts of relevant info for them into one categorized and extensive spot, making it easy to discover and/or access what was new and useful in the field.
I think you do the same service here. It’s awesome that you’re reaping the benefits of sharing your creativity in photography and writing. For your audience, it’s something beyond that. As and armchair traveller, I get to see the world through your eyes/ears/voice. It’s awesome. So I’m glad you’re enjoying it too. 🙂
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Thanks so much Kate. Yes, I am enjoying it, very much. More than ever really as I learn more and more how to carry it lightly while still maintaining my commitment to it. And thank you for the positive comparison to your professional blog. I look at the beginning posts of this blog and know that it was not professional when I started. And that’s okay. I do believe I’ve reached a level, in both writing and photography, that is now at least approaching that. And of course it’s thrilling for me to see my progress from travel snapshots and perky letters home to . . . . what? . . . . a huge improvement in both writing and photography at the very least. I’m inspired in a different way now.
I think perhaps your overall experience of blogging has been different than mine. Yours was fulfilling a need in a professional sphere, and in a time when there was not much out like there like it. Mine OTOH is one of millions of travel blogs – way too many for joe public to wade through to find the worthwhile ones.
Alison xo
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Wonderfully written and wonderfully inspired. In my world, giving IS receiving. That’s the creative spark that finds a home, and as you’ve said, a place to land. Glad to have met you, and never let go. Appreciating your beauty, Ka
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Thank you Ka. Yes giving is receiving. With the blog I really feel that. I won’t let go, it enriches my life too much.
Alison
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It’s certainly evident when coming to visit here, Alison! It’s a great energy to be in – energy you’ve created. Thanks for the excitement, for your love of life, and for your sharing your gorgeous journey and the love that you live. Aloha, Ka
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Great post, Alison!
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Thanks Kay, glad you liked it.
Ali xox
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“I believe that it is our essential nature to create” I think creativity and indulging in creative efforts generates energy for our lives. Great post. 🙂
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Thanks Sahara. I agree. The more creative I am, in all areas of life, the more I’m energized. It gets very dull when there’s no creative inspiration 😦
Alison
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This resonates so deeply within me that I couldn’t resist leaving a response. I haven’t been blogging long, and only started writing here for the first time since I was a teenager. Much like you, an artist in all things, I have dabbled in at all: drawing, painting, sculpting,crafting,food artistry, refurbishing furniture..and yet, after all these years, here I found my happiness. In words, I can express for myself as much for those who appreciate it. And for me, I have found that writing makes my world come alive. It enhances my memories and brings deeper thought to my daily occurrences.What I see in the world, in only the ways that an artist sees, now have words, rhythm and a song. I feel that now I can share with the world, what it means to have an artistic mind, spirit, and vision. And I feel understood. After just 7 months of blogging, my best friends, sister, husband..have all told me that I have finally found my calling. The funny thing, is that none of us knew I could write..not even me!
The only annoying part is the money factor..that some people can continually discount this as energy well spent, because it doesn’t show monetary gain. Oh what a world it is, that something so beautiful could so quickly be diminished.
I love your writing, your blog, your photos. Thank you for sharing them with us.
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Thanks Stephanie. I’m so glad this post resonated for you. I love the way you express it: “now I can share with the world what it means to have an artistic mind, spirit, and vision”. That is so beautifully put. Oh and that bit about what you see in the world in only the ways an artist sees it now have words, rhythm and a song – beautiful.
How wonderful that you feel that you’ve finally found your calling with blogging. I too get a bit annoyed that it is discounted because there is no monetary gain. Still it’s like most artistic and creative endeavours I suppose – most artists of any kind are unpaid, or only paid a small amount. I wonder how many thousands of young adults over the years who wanted to be artists of one kind or another were told to “get a real job”.
Alison
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Thank you, Allison. And I’m afraid to tell you that many more people of the last 3 generations have been discouraged that most know. Only the artist themselves really speak of it. I was one of them!! Always a passionate artist, and always emphatically discouraged from studying art as a degree. Sometimes I wish that I would have had the courage to ignore all those discouragements 15 years ago. Yet, I am so grateful for the path my life has taken. I’m quite sure that I wouldn’t have landed where I am today, if I had taken a different route.
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What a lovely post. For most of us, blogging has become a way of life. When people learn something from what you share and are inspired by it, you are fulfilled 🙂
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Thank you so much Arlene. I find blogging to be a rewarding creative act, and the fact that people like it is a huge bonus. And if it inspires people even better. What serendipity!
Alison
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Alison this is a wonderful post. Michael Mark’s post ,your Aha moment and your beautiful post have knocked the nail on the head. I agree with you totally. I was so surprised to enjoy blogging as much as I did and have a dilemma coming soon because of it ( which I am planning to share in a post ). You are right. Art, theatre, dance, novels, architecture, even beautiful food and blog posts must have an audience for their raison d’etre. We need an audience to lovingly look at our photos and to dwell on our words..
Thank you for blogging and sharing your travels and your view of the world.
Louise
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Thanks Louise. It was a huge aha moment that wouldn’t rest. I knew I had to write about it. An audience really is so rewarding. It makes it worthwhile, even though I’d have to do it anyway because I can’t help myself. I look forward to your post about your dilemma.
Alison
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I pretty much feel the same exact way as you – I need to create and share and getting to know fellow travel bloggers is a huge plus. But, I have to say that I think travel blogs – good ones at least, and yours is excellent – are the best sources of travel info on the web. As a blogger, you can be honest about a place in a way a travel mag can’t. Anytime you see a big spread on a destination you see full page ads by hotels, airlines and the tourist board in the issue. If they wright that Bali is overrated, skip it!, then they sure aren’t going to sell much advertising.
I read through all of your posts about Burma last year and they were very inspiring. It felt like I was there with you. BTW – I’m headed there for 10 days next Friday! Anyhow, great post and I’m glad you create and share it.
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Thanks so much Jeff. Yes, although I never set out to be a blogger it seems to have got the better of me. I’m completely hooked creating and giving it away. And the bonus is an ever widening circle of fellow travel blogger friends. I also find blogs to be a great source of good information for travelling. I’m glad you enjoyed the Burma posts. It remains one of the highlights of all our travels. Have a great time there!
Alison
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I’m grateful for you expressing so clearly what is in your heart … and mind … and many others like us who cannot help but create, express ourselves and share.
Such an inspiring post and so encouraging for others who may be dipping their toe in the water but not ready to dive in! 💛
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Thanks so much Val. I’m glad you found it inspiring. I hope others do too, especially those who, as you say, are new to blogging. We just need to do what’s in our hearts and the rest will follow.
Alison
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You nailed it – what we create is not finished until we share it! Thanks for the inspiring perspective. Best wishes as you continue creating and giving!
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Thanks Grammy. I’m glad you found it inspiring. I was blown away when I read that last simple sentence on Michael’s blog – Only the need to give it away, and then immediately recognized my own need. Connecting with other, inspiring others – extra huge bonus!
Alison
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Exactly! Well said, as always, and an inspiration for me to keep on sharing!
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Thank you. I’m glad it resonates for you. Keep on sharing!
Alison
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It is so well said Alison! Please continue to share, so we all can enjoy your inspiring experiences:)
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Thanks so much Christie. I think I’ll be here sharing for a long time to come yet 🙂
Alison
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Alison, many bloggers out there need to find their calling, their very reason to blog. So I’m glad you found yours. It’s really sad to see some great blogs that I’ve been following being in a hiatus for too long — some might even have been abandoned completely. A famous blogger once wrote that she would keep writing on her blog even if no one read or paid attention. Of course, that shouldn’t apply to all bloggers. But finding one’s own drive, true drive to share his/her stories, will not only benefit the blogger him/herself, but also the blogging community in general. So many amazing inspirations out there in the blogging world because people care to share. Thank you for such a powerful post, Alison!
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Thanks Bama. It has been really helpful for me to get clear about my reasons for blogging. I knew it had to come from the heart, that it had to be authentic, and I didn’t want ego strokes, although they are lovely of course, being the reason I continued with it. Ever since I read that sentence on Michael’s blog – Only the need to give it away – it has been profoundly clear why I do it, and that the reason is simply the need to create. Resting in that place it becomes fun even if it’s not always easy.
Alison
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It’s not always easy indeed. But in the end it’s fun, and that keeps us going.
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So well said, Alison! I agree with you, the need to create is so strong, we cannot do it and what we create is not finished until we share it. I just released another Amanda book and it feels so good to know some people will be reading it! I am so glad I found you. Keep blogging and sharing!!
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Thanks Darlene. The need to be creative is very strong in me, having been raised in a family that rewarded it. Like you I can’t imagine not doing it. It must feel wonderful to have yet another Amanda book out there!
Alison
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Love to read your attitude .. To give it away ;
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Reblogged this on mini ART tour and commented:
Wonderfull post about blogging ..
Sharing the beautiful moments
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Thank you Andrea. Yes, it’s all just to give it away. And reading your comment I just had a deeper revelation – this blog is not for me, and never has been, in the same way that all art is not for the person who creates it. It’s for the giving away of it, for the enrichment of whoever receives it. Thank you so much for the reblog.
Alison
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Alison I enjoyed this post very much. The blogging community is such a supportive space. As to what others think about bloggers I think that attitude may be changing. You can always try the title of travel writer. My goodness you definitely qualify with your talent!
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Thanks Sue. I love the blogging community. When I started I didn’t even know it existed. It has been so enriching in so many ways. I like travel writer! I’ll take it 🙂
Alison
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Well said – makes me all the more proud to be a fellow blogger 🙂
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Thanks Daal, fellow blogger! I think we should all be proud of what we do. Apart from the creativity of our blogs, we create community and that is a wonderful thing.
Alison
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More wisdom 🙂
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Ben and I have blogged for many of the same reasons …. you say it all very eloquently!!
We started our Green Global Trek when we left Chicago to move to Nicaragua almost a decade ago, after the youngest of our four sons finally finished high school and we were “free.”
Starting a blog initially was a way to keep family and friends updated without writing tons of repetitious emails. But now as we look back on nine years of blogging…. it has been an amazing diary and photographic album of our adventures for ourselves, as well as others. And I do love sharing it all. “The need to give it away” …. That’s perfect.
I too am a painter and yet photography and writing are now my creative tools. Being nomadic makes anything more than a sketchbook impractical.
Thank you Alison for your generous help and support in assisting me to reach out and become a part of a wonderful supportive blogging community.
Peta
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Thanks Peta. Blogging does create a fabulous record doesn’t it! I would not have thought of doing this if I’d not been asked, but now I’m glad to have a kind of on-line scrap book, even if only as a record of my improvement in writing and photography lol. Also of course it’s nice to have the memories that are enriched when I look back at older posts. Connecting with the need to give it away as part of the creative process helped free me from the fear that it’s all about ego. I knew it was more than that, but couldn’t put my finger on what.
Alison
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Thank you Alison. This helps. I’ve resisted spending too much energy analyzing why I blog for fear of discovering too many self-serving interests. I started it as a learning project to keep the mind active, to hopefully keep the Alzheimer’s that took my mother at bay. Once into it, I realized blogging helped me become a more curious and better informed traveller. That’s two reasons, both about me. I like your take on creativity and sharing, and as a result, draw links to my garden. I love gardening, and I must admit, my garden is beautiful and attracts many visitors. Nature is the artist, I just give her a helping hand. I love sharing my garden with others, and after reading your post I’ll be thinking more about creativity and sharing, and resist the less helpful thoughts associated with ego. When it comes to blogging, I think ego and monetization not only undermine creativity, but make content less useful to readers. We need more emphasis on sharing, just for the sake of sharing. Thanks again.
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Thanks Anne. I’m glad it helps. I too was afraid there were too many self-serving interests. It was a revelation to finally connect with something deeper. Oh I think gardens are a glorious example of the creative act not being complete until it is given away. A garden is never just for the creator – it’s for the enrichment of all who get to be in it. And with an urban garden it is also for all those who just notice it driving or walking by. So much beauty!
I agree that monetization and ego undermine creativity. Sharing just for the sake of sharing, just to have the process feel complete, or even for no reason at all really, gives a kind of freedom from what’s been created.
Alison
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Sometimes, I always wonder the reason I started blogging, in general. Is it for money? Or mere popularity? I think it all began when I went abroad to Korea for the first time in my life without my family members. It was an immediate decision to go there but I am really happy that I did. I met so many kind people and wow, the world is actually really big. Travelling means a lot of stories, and blogging is a very good way to share them. Start small but dream big 🙂
Love reading your experiences,
Safiani.
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Thanks Safiani. Blogging is a great way to share travelling stories. You sound as if you’re very adventurous! I agree – start small but dream big! May all your dreams come true.
Alison
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Honored to be a member of your blog-reading “tribe.”
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Honoured to have you here Pam!
Alison
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Beautifully written, Alison. I’ve so enjoyed the way you express yourself and how you paint a story through your words that evokes emotions with photos that make me feel as though I’ve been there too. It’s wonderful to belong to a community of such talented people. Anita
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Thank you so much Anita. That’s a really wonderful compliment. It’s what I hope to achieve when I put together a post. Yes, I love our online community, and all the sharing. People are so creative.
Alison
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Alison, you posted this on my birthday, and I just got to it! I love how you’ve expressed your position on blogging. And I have to agree with Lex—I’ve never thought about it hard enough to know exactly why I do it. Sure, there’s the art of photography that soothes my need to express my artistic nature. I love that about blogging. And there’s the writing, which allows me to express emotion and the wonder of the world in a way you can’t in other forms of artistic endeavor. I love that about blogging, too.
I’m not exactly clear about the need to “give it away.” For me, I think that means to get the art into the world for others to see and hopefully enjoy. I would like my ego to not be involved in that, but I’m not certain it isn’t…at least in some small way. All I really know is that I’ve wanted to be an artist all my life, and a writer since I first left home at 17. Blogging satisfies my artistic needs in that way. It’s a place for me to be who I am without restrictions of other kinds of writing, or art…or expectations from publishers.
And one thing more: when blogging first arrived on the scene, I was one of those who thought it…unprofessional. I wanted a publisher to like my writing so much, they’d publish it. But now, blogging has become so mainstream, and useful in so many arenas, that I think blogging today is not considered “less than” or unprofessional. At least, that’s how I now think of it. It’s a god send for me.
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Happy Birthday! Like you I love the writing and photography of blogging, but the giving it away part for me is about the opposite of ego. The ego part is about wanting kudos and recognition, which no doubt I do! The giving it away part is something selfless – at least that’s how I mean it anyway. It’s some inner urge to get it into the world whether or not it’s received, and whether or not I ever know about it. In seeing this I realized that although obviously the creative part of blogging is fulfilling a personal creative need, the blog is not mine, or for me. It’s for whoever/whatever out there that receives it, and I don’t need to know anything about that. I only need to put it out there.
Thanks for the reframe of your final paragraph. Blogging is a godsend for me also, because it allows us to express what’s in our hearts that wants to find a place in the world.
Alison
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Oh…and…meeting you guys in Kafe gave me the incentive to finally start a blog. And that photo of the sunflower has now given me the incentive to figure out how to use LR!!!
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So awesome! See! If I hadn’t had a blog, and put it out there you never would have found your calling! You never know who your blog will inspire. I hope LR is a joyous journey for you. It’s not that hard. PS can be tricky but LR is pretty straight forward. Maybe we could do a Skype lesson.
Alison
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Hello Alison,
This is beautifully written and I think one of my favorite posts of yours. There was an interesting discussion here that badfish began I think, about whether or not the need to “give it away” was an ego pursuit of sorts. I think it’s an important question, and there’s probably no one answer. But for me the essence of needing to “give something away” has its roots in participating in that very act of creation you wrote about in this piece. I truly don’t think there is creation if nothing is shared, and lest that seem unreasonable or marginalizing to some forms of sharing and creation, I do believe in all sorts of invisible forms of sharing that ripple from one heart to the next through our holiest silences. Such sharing may never have an objectively tangible form, but is a pure form of creation nonetheless. There is something human, holy and necessary about discovering who we are through the exchange of creative acts– we not only discover another but we discover ourselves. I have thought often about what it is about writing I most enjoy, and at least a portion of it is looking back at what was at times a difficult and uncertain process, and realizing something grew out of it. Something good and unexpected and unpredictable that popped into the world simply because someone wrestled with the challenge of creating an opening for it. It is easy to say, “I did that!” and to a certain extent that is true, but what is revealed is everything…! And when everything is revealed… it is creation I think!
I do think blogging is a large part about connection as well. And I don’t think this should be frowned upon. It can be in some places and times a way of finding community otherwise not available, which enriches its participants. Otherwise none of us would be here. I guess what I’m saying is the social aspect can sometimes be pointed to by those who might suggest it’s not “serious” art, this blogging. Serious writers and artists create and let it go into the world and they don’t need the interaction with others. But I do think at least a portion of the real art here is learning and growing as beings through the exchanges we have with one another, and maybe that’s a different medium altogether.
Peace
Michael
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Oh Michael will you be my writer please! You managed to say exactly what I was trying to convey:
“I truly don’t think there is creation if nothing is shared, and lest that seem unreasonable or marginalizing to some forms of sharing and creation, I do believe in all sorts of invisible forms of sharing that ripple from one heart to the next through our holiest silences. Such sharing may never have an objectively tangible form, but is a pure form of creation nonetheless. There is something human, holy and necessary about discovering who we are through the exchange of creative acts– we not only discover another but we discover ourselves.”
I wish I coulda said that!
I am in awe of the depth of your understanding and your ability to put it into words. Thank you.
And yes! That struggle in the creative process – I know it well. I think we all do. Working through the struggle brings into form something from nothing – can there possibly be anything more holy than that?
Writing this piece, and reading everyone’s comments has brought me to a new place in the way I hold blogging, and “blogger”. Although there is much I’ve produced in this blog that I’m proud of there was no pride in saying that I blog, or calling myself a blogger because of the way I thought it was held by the world at large. I begin to understand my perception was very narrow. And that of course what others think is finally not that important.
Love and peace
Alison
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I agree with everything you said about blogging! I feel like I now understand why artists want to show their work in galleries – I mean, what’s the point in taking photos, writing, and imagining stories, if you don’t share it with anyone? I feel like many non-bloggers look at it as egoistic and then I think to myself, am I? But I do genuinely love reading other people’s blogs, too, so no, I don’t think I’m being egocentric. I think many of us bloggers just want to spread joy, mostly 🙂 And create art.
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Thanks so much TSMS. I think there is, for me anyway, an egoic component, and that’s okay. The revelation for me was to discover this far deeper and more pure urge than the need to be validated by others. And yes, I love the joy we share. It’s so encouraging and healing.
Alison
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So beautifully said Alison!! 🙂
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Thanks Carissa.
Alison
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An extremely interesting post. The trouble with “blogger” is that it lacks the mystique of “writer,” which is odd, since writing is heavily involved in both. And a good blog – like yours – is just as powerful as a traditional piece of writing.
English needs to see about borrowing a word from another language (French, perhaps?) for blogging that sounds much more mysterious and sexy.
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Thanks Felicity. I love what you’ve said! Brilliant! The word blogger absolutely lacks the mystique of “writer”. You’ve hit the nail on the head. Wish I could think of a new word. I’ll ponder it. Got any ideas?
Alison
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Alison, this post is so poignant, so moving, so from the heart. I too have felt that many who do not write a blog do not take those in the blogging community seriously. I have a few friends who have tried to compare Facebook devotees to those of us who blog, and I shudder. You have so eloquently put into words what so many of us feel. I almost threw in the towel several months ago, as I was feeling burnt out but I so missed the creative process of writing and having that feedback with the blogging community that I came back, with a promise to balance time in nature with hours sitting at a computer. Since you are so creative, I must ask, where did the first and last images come from? They are both beautiful, as much so as your writing style and photography. Beautifully done Alison!
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Thanks so much LuAnn. I too shudder at the comparison to FB devotees. I’ve felt a bit burnt out with the blog a few times, but have always felt the inner need to keep going. I think I too would miss the creative process too much, but I agree that there must be a balance with how you spend your time. I also start to get antsy if I don’t have time in nature. It was one of my problems with San Miguel. I hope you don’t stoop blogging!
Both flower photos were taken in Vancouver this past summer – the passion flower in the garden of a place we were housesitting, and the sunflower in a garden I passed by. The sunflower was so big and heavy it was almost pointing down to the ground.
Alison
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I don’t plan to stop blogging. I just had to remind myself why I starting blogging originally and to maintain some balance. Those flower photos are professional quality. May I ask what kind of camera you use?
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Thanks LuAnn. It’s a Panasonic FZ1000. I like it because it has a lot of built-in stuff (zoom, flash, etc) so I only have to carry one piece around with me, but I so wish it had a bigger sensor.
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Thanks for the info Alison. I am using a Panasonic FZ200 but for some time now I think it has been a bit “sick”. It has gotten sluggish on focusing. I have called Panasonic and worked with a tech over the phone as I have bee reluctant to send it in for work after talking to a friend who has the same camera and did just that. It took forever for him to get his camera back.
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This is my second Panasonic, and after the (lack of) service on the first I swore I’d never get another . . . . . . . . until I found the FZ1000. Funny thing is I went shopping for a smaller lighter camera and looked at all the mirrorless models, but ended up with a bigger heavier camera in the FZ1000. I still feel it was the right choice for me for now. I’m sure the smaller/lighter/bigger-sensor camera is somewhere in my future 🙂
Alison
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I may have to look into this camera. Thanks for the info.
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I love this post, Alison. It’s thought provoking and relevant for all of us who blog. It’s unfortunate that people are so dismissive and judgemental about blogging. Blogging really is an act of love. You simply cannot be a successful blogger, in any meaningful way, unless you love to write. In a world full of Facebook posts and emojis, the practice of composing thoughts into meaningful, enjoyable writing crafted with art and vocabulary (and photos!) should be valued. And posting regularly takes time and dedication. I’m not surprised that the blogging community is full of such thoughtful, responsible, lovely people who are engaged in life and passionate about something. Only by being this way to begin with will anyone ever arrive at the path of blogging and forge ahead with confidence. It’s a creative outlet that deserves as much respect as any other.
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Thanks Kelly. For me it is so very much an act of love, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to sustain it for this long, especially while we’re travelling. I agree, it does take a particular kind of person to blog. The average life of a blog is three years. There has to be something deeper happening, a creative need, to keep it going. I can’t imagine not doing it. I love the community, all the people who create for their own joy and for the joy of others. I think we all nourish each other in so many obvious and subtle ways. I like Felicity’s idea that we need a better word, that “blogger” doesn’t have the same mystique as “writer”, but I can’t imagine what that word would be.
Alison
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Hmm, I usually get notification of your posts via email, but for some reason this didn’t happen the last two times (I will rectify this). I was forwarding your blog to a friend when I noticed your most recent posts. I remember you telling me that you were going to write about “Why I Blog”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post, and as always, it is thought-provoking and beautifully written (and the flower photos are stunning). The time, effort, and love you put into this creative process come through in spades. Your work is such an asset to the blogging community and it continues to be an inspiration for me. Although I have not been in the blogging world as long as you, I can relate to your feeling of “I can’t not do it”. I am hooked. As I’m walking, hiking, trying to sleep… I find myself excited about creating/sharing the next post. I have learned so much in this process and I am totally amazed by the online and in-person connections I have made.
Keep giving it away Alison!
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Thanks Caroline. That’s so weird about you not getting notifications. I do love creating blog posts, and I’m glad to hear it shows. Yeah, I’m hooked too! I also think about it a lot. This post I had no idea for a title so I took it into my sleep and there the title was for me the next morning. I think we all get inspiration in our sleep. I too have learned a huge amount in the process of blogging – about writing, about photography, and about community. It’s so rewarding.
Alison
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Insightful as always,Alison.
Blogartist,blogthor-how do they sound as alternative to blogger ?
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Thanks Sidran. They’re two good ideas, but I think I’d like something to replace the word blog. Really what we create are memoirs and scrapbooks only they’re online instead of in ordinary reality. In Spanish speaking countries I’m a periodista. It sounds much more interesting than blogger.
Alison
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Yes it does sound more interesting.Virtual raconteurs-aren’t we?
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Oh I like that! Virtual Ranonteur! That’s a great way to express it.
Alison
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I’m late to the party here, but wanted to tell you how much I love this post and glimpsing into the process behind all the beauty and insight you share.
In my business classes where I encourage small business owners to “write content regularly”, I like to tease that the very word “blog” sounds like a growth you’d need to have removed. It’s a horrid word. However, one of the most wonderful things about the practice of blogging is creating our own little world of words into which we invite others whose interest align and overlap. In its own way, curating a blog is magical.
I dare say that writing makes you a writer. The blog itself is where your words appear–rather than a book or magazine–and is simply a different medium, just as canvas, musical notation, and stages are media for other types of artists.
This line resonates deeply for me, personally: “Sometimes it is a scratching secret, wanting out, wanting to be in the world but held back by fear.” Writing almost literally saved my life after my post-pilgrimage depression. Writing the words with trembling hands–and then finding the courage to share them–drew back a curtain that finally let light back into my life. I couldn’t not share the truth of what I found, and fear lost its grip.
In reading the community of seekers who blog (including you), and benefiting myself from the thoughtful comments people leave there (especially you!) I find it weaves a web of common ground and connection across the miles. What a blessing that you followed a suggestion so long ago.
Never belittle what you do. Your words heal and your images inspire. I am better for it. ❤
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Awww, thanks so much Jen. I too think the word blog is horrid, and yet the act of blogging is so enriching, and yes magical. I do so love it. I like the way you call it curating a blog. It gives it all a little more cachet.
It’s taking me a long time to really think of myself as a writer and to claim that. I’m getting there.
I am so glad for you (and for me that I get to read about, and be enriched by, your journey) that you found the courage to share your story. I can imagine that the sharing of it was *the* key to healing. I often find that healing really only starts when I say out loud what’s upsetting me. The very act begins to allow the wind to blow through the murky corridors of pain and angst.
I said from the beginning I was going to share the whole story in this blog, and there have been posts that I trembled to publish, and yet here I am, still going strong. I think the truth enriches us.
Following that suggestion to write about our travels all those years ago has indeed proved to be a huge blessing, a gift that heals and helps me in so many ways through connection and community. I don’t remember how I found your blog, but I’m so glad I did.
I have a long standing habit of belittling what I do 😦 I’m slowly learning to not do that!
With love
Alison
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I have only been following your site for a few months Alison and I cant wait for your latest blog to arrive. We are often travelling and so wifi is limited but I can tell you, as soon as we have connection, I check out my inbox. If I see your name pop us then Life goes on hold.
You really do have a lovely style of writing and all accompanied with beautiful photo’s. Everytime I read a post, you make me smile…thank you.
I completely understand your view on blogging, I feel the same…love sharing beautiful places and stories. Unlike you, I am not a great writer but I do try. I am more of a numbers person! Hopefully one day I will be able to capture audiences just like you x x x thanks for your inspiration x x x
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Thanks so much Jo. I feel both humbled and honoured when I get comments like this. I guess I must be doing something right. I’m glad I make you smile, and inspire you. I know my blog has improved enormously over the years thanks to being inspired by other bloggers. I love our online community where we can all support each other, and learn from each other.
Alison
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Great post! We love blogging for the reason we feel it gives people the encouragement to follow their dreams, to know that there are other people out there with hints and tips to help you on your way makes it a lot easier. No matter what your blog is about you can find a community to inspire you, I know that we did! Reading other bloggers pages and stories definitely gave us the push to follow our dreams and become more than just bloggers, but story-tellers. Thanks for your inspiring post and keep up the amazing stories! 🙂
Dilly&Jess
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Hey Dilly&Jess, thanks so much. It’s true, there is always a community of like-minded people to share your blog with. I too have been hugely inspired by reading others’ blogs. Everything about it juices me. And you too by the sound of it!
Alison
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Really love the concept of creativity as giving away something good of oneself. The reality there are those who want/need to earn money from their positive creativity. True, blogging looks like writing-tinkering to others. While others consider it a warm-up exercise to keep creative engines purring.
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Thanks Jean. It was a joyous revelation for me. Finally I understood that it really is not just about ego, and that I don’t need to know anything about where the blog lands. I just have to put it out there. I’m fine with blogging being a source of income. Sadly it’s often a guideline as to how valid the occupation is. And I know writers who are thrilled to have discovered blogging because it keeps them at it.
Alison
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You articulate beautifully what I might have wrapped my brain around, on a good day, Alison. 🙂 Long may it continue.
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Thanks so much Jo. And then there are others who I think articulated what I was trying to say even better. Like this from Michael:
“I truly don’t think there is creation if nothing is shared, and lest that seem unreasonable or marginalizing to some forms of sharing and creation, I do believe in all sorts of invisible forms of sharing that ripple from one heart to the next through our holiest silences. Such sharing may never have an objectively tangible form, but is a pure form of creation nonetheless. There is something human, holy and necessary about discovering who we are through the exchange of creative acts– we not only discover another but we discover ourselves.”
And this that I wrote in response to Badfish where I think I managed to articulate it a little better:
“The ego part is about wanting kudos and recognition, which no doubt I do! The giving it away part is something selfless – at least that’s how I mean it anyway. It’s some inner urge to get it into the world whether or not it’s received, and whether or not I ever know about it. In seeing this I realized that although obviously the creative part of blogging is fulfilling a personal creative need, the blog is not mine, or for me. It’s for whoever/whatever out there that receives it, and I don’t need to know anything about that. I only need to put it out there.”
Alison
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I saw the exchange with Mr. Badfish 🙂 You certainly provoked reactions. Hugs, darlin. Have a good weekend. I haven’t read on but gather you’re back in San Miguel. Hope the health side is not too bad.
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Hugs to you too. I’m going to have a wonderful weekend – there’s a figure skating competition happening in Canada so I’ll be glued to the screen. The blog is so way behind! We left SMA last March, spent Apr&May in La Manzanilla, June thru Oct back in Vancouver, and now, finally on Monday we fly back down to Mexico.
xox
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I’d find that hard because I like to keep mine fairly current, but obviously when you’re traveling it’s not feasible. It’s a choice you make. Enjoy the skating! 🙂
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This is beautifully written. Even i wrote am surprised and happy about how the blogging community accepts people and motivate to write more. Please have a look at my blog…https://wordpress.com/stats/day/withlove4mtrish.wordpress.com
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Thanks so much. The blogging community is a wonderful place to be isn’t it!. And it looks like you’ve made a great start on your blog.
Alison
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Absolutely love the authenticity of your writing an your words! Check out my page, I love sharing pieces of myself with others as well. It enriches everyone!
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Thank you so much Kelly. You’ve made a great start with your blog. I like the theme choice. Have fun with it!
Alison
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Thank you so much! I’m making progress, slowly but surely. Looking forward to reading more of your pieces!
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Thank you for writing this. Sharing and creativity are great reasons to be doing anything: blogging, travelling, or whatever you choose. I, too, fell into blogging and had a strange relationship with calling myself a blogger. It was a very rewarding (and creative) few years, though. I now explore my creativity in other ways, but I hope to get back to the blog in the future. As you say, there’s always such a great community that comes with it.
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Hi Jon. Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply! Blogging has been, and continues to be such a rewarding journey for me. I suppose many of us are coming to terms with the idea of being a blogger – the word doesn’t have a lot of cachet yet, but I do believe that’s slowly changing. Are you continuing with your writing, photography, and drawing?
Alison
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Thanks your message, Alison.
Yes, pushing ahead with building something around my art and writing. Hopefully it will grow into something successful.
My ‘other’ blog (runningbuffetblog.com) has been put to bed for a while to let me concentrate on getting this off the ground.
I look forward to following your adventures!
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What a nice post! Loved it!
Never thought of myself as a creative person but here I am starting a blog about traveling with a child! The biggest joy of the day is when I see that people have read my piece and then i hope my experience helped someone and i feel so so happy!
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Thank you so much. I know just what you mean about the joy it brings to know someone has read your post, and especially when it has helped in some way. bringbabyabroad above could be a link to your blog. There’s something you need to change in your settings so it becomes a link and then I could go have a look at your blog. You’ll notice that with all other commenters the name of the blog/commenter is underlined – that means it links to their blog. I had a quick look and sorry I can’t find out what to change in your settings to make it happen, but search around and I’m sure you’ll find it, or ask in the WP forums. Good luck with blogging and travelling!
Alison
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Pingback: Why I Blog: Creativity And The Need To Give It Away — Adventures in Wonderland – Journal Edge
Reblogged this on paws2smile and commented:
Wow. Such a fabulous post! I never thought about blogging to the depth as she did. But she puts it all into words and sentences and it comes out perfect.
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Thank you so much P2S – for your kind words and for the reblog. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Like you I’ve been blogging for many years and slowly I became more and more clear why I do it.
Alison
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Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
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