My daughter has a blog that she calls "Musings." She talks about her life--plainly--and honestly. It's not a blog for everyone, maybe just an outlet for her. She doesn't publicize it. Most of us in the family know it is there, but it is not a place that we can't wait to get to. It's a bold thing to do--exposing one's thoughts--because most people are just into their own lives and really are not that much into what you, as a blogger or a person, are thinking and going through. It's a superficial world out there.
So today, I want to write a 'musing' of my own. I am seriously thinking about writing something like this every Saturday. A risky move. I know, this blog thing is supposed to be an upbeat thing. Sometimes a vehicle for social networking and/or marketing, and, heaven forbid, we get downright personal or honest. I know, we are not supposed to reveal to much of ourselves here, because it is a scary world out there. So we wear blog masks. We talk about how we make blogs, how we wear them, how they function, all the while giving only little glimpses of the real person behind the blog.
My musing (soapbox, if you like) for today: We don't listen. We don't listen enough to what others are really saying. Hearing what others think takes listening. Most of us are busy thinking what we will say in response, instead of listening. We are conditioned to NOT listen with so much superficial chatter going on around us. When someone does get honest, we are a little uncomfortable. We seem not skilled enough to deal with reality.
As creative bloggers, we are all into 'doing' and learning how to 'do'. In the blog world, there are treasuries, tutorials, and pictures but not much deep thought. We call ourselves "peeps" and not writers. I'm resolving, a little early--Not New Years yet!--to listen. This will mean, in the blog world, that I READ more, not just look at who is responding to my blog. In all this, I am hoping to find some honest stuff that will inspire friendships that will go the distance.
Just saying . . . .
9 comments:
Go for it! :D And, yes, I, too, have a blog mask.
Nice post, and so true. We don't listen nearly well enough.
Some people have to work really hard to listen--they are so focused on talking about themselves.
It does tend to be easier to just look & not listen...I know I do not do it quite as often as I would like either...but here's to hoping many others will follow you and listen :)
yes, we're all a little skittish, not wanting to step on other's toes, trying to draw people in. I think it's fine to rant and say what you feel. People are listening, I know they are, even if they don't respond! {:-D
I too could use a lesson in listening once in a while. I'm pretty good at the honest and open thing...LOL! Maybe too much sometimes :)
Great thoughts and great post!
Keep on saying it, Linda. I believe listening does happen, but perhaps not enough. There are some blogs that do address more intimate and difficult feelings, sometimes always, sometimes--just sometimes. Here's one you might enjoy: Grace For the Journey
(a friend I've met in blog land.)
I will say this. There are definitely people I have come to care for through the medium of blogs. I rejoice with them, I experience their sadness, their pain, I laugh with them. I lend them my heart and I pray for them.
What a wonderful post, Linda. We do need to listen. I miss that.
I used to have an online diary. Talk about open! Very little that was in my mind didn't make it in there, to the point that sometimes I was scared spitless my family and/or friends would find it. Here, it's mostly a masked me, I'm afraid. Nothing that isn't true, nothing that isn't me, but not like the oath you take: "The truth, the Whole truth, etc".
But. I can take your resolution and run with the LISTEN part!
Thanks for a wonderful, thoughtful, post. I look forward to more musings!
it is indeed a very brave thing to expose our true feelings and vulnerabilities on our blog - I am often tempted myself!!
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