I Think It Is A Good Day For A Meme

It is a Monday. And I'm a little tired.

Which does not seem like a really terrific way to begin the week.

So in order to save as many brain cells as possible for the rest of the week, I thought I'd do a meme.

Katrina at Callapidder Days tagged me for this fun meme.

Here are the rules:

1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. link back to the person who tagged you
3. link back to this parent post
4. tag a few friends or five, or none at all
5. post these rules— or just have fun breaking them

I have been blogging for almost a year and I don't think there is an area of my life that has not been affected by it. Blogging has been a very positive experience for me. I'll try to narrow it down to five ways. Hmmm...

1. Relationships- Granted, it sometimes feels as if I have a lot of imaginary friends, but the relationships that I have made through this blog are very important to me. I love reading your blogs and reading your comments. I love receiving emails from you. I love when someone drops a quick note asking about something I've mentioned in the past.

Y'all might be better friends than most of my real friends. I can say that because my real friends don't really know about my blog. (And for those of you that are reading, I'm not talking about you.)

I have enjoyed getting to know your personalities and your families. I love the quick and funny stories you share. I hurt when you tell of heartbreak.

And I've had to dig myself out of an awkward spot more than a few times when I mention one of you to my real people..."oh, um, you don't know her."

2. Time- I think blogging has both helped and hurt my time management.

Is that even possible?

I spend too much time on the internet. But, I have learned to schedule it in my day. Well. I am trying to learn to schedule it in my day.

Let's change the subject.

3. Confidence- This probably is an admission of how low my self-esteem has been in the past, but blogging has given me a renewed sense of confidence. Not that it is my job or contributes anything to my family or really serves any purpose whatsoever...but blogging has reminded me that I have something to offer.

I truly believe that I was made to be a wife and mom, but on occasion (ahem) the acknowledgement and recognition are a little hard to come by.

Seeing one comment on something I write, or having somebody email that they completely got what I was saying has reminded me that I am a part of a group that is significant and important.

So thanks for that.

4. Creativity- Y'all have some good ideas.

Now I am not even close to crafty or talented. Not even close. But I love to look at beautiful things. I love to see how incredible your homes look. I love to see what meals you are serving your families.

Laura has pretty much planned my meals for about 6 months.

You've taught me how to make something out of nothing.

As we prepare to downsize our home (quick prayer sent up for my house to sell) I have become so excited about all the amazing things you've taught me to do. I know just what paint colors to use and how I want my cabinets organized and how to make a mudroom where there is none. I know how to repurpose furniture that I thought was out of style. I've learned how to make great window treatments without even sewing.

And the person that I sucker into making them for me will really appreciate that knowledge.

5. Faith- The most important thing that I've received from this bloggy world is an increase in my faith. I have been a Christian for a long time. I have wonderful Christian friends and mentors in my life. But something about following the journeys of so many of you on a daily basis has shown me the depth of the love of Christ.

In the last year, I've read of marriages failing and surviving. I've followed families struggling with debt. I've hung on words regarding sick children and spouses. I've held my breath waiting for test results. I have read of miscarriages and infertility. I've cried through the loss of children. I've rushed to the computer to get an update on those suffering through tragedy.

I've clung to stories of redemption and forgiveness.

I've prayed for many and felt the prayers of others.

And I think y'all might have even interceded and saved my dog.

I'm pretty sure that when I started blogging it was just to get my thoughts out of my head so I could sleep at night. I never would have believed it would be such a blessing.

I thank every one of you.

Ok. Now I'm supposed to tag 5 of you. I hope that a lot of you do this, though. It has been a really good reminder of what this is all about.

1. Mama Belle
2. Lisa
3. Robyn
4. Tammy
5. Diane

Comments

[Wendi]

What a great meme!
I loved this little "speed dating" session.
Thanks for sharing.

[marit]

Can I just heave a sigh of relief knowing that your "live" friends don't know about your blogging either? I've kept my blog secret as well, am only just telling a very few people about it. I was feeling guilty and confused about that and reading that you don't tell everybody either was an encouragement!
I've almost been blogging for a year as well, and been thinking about what to post about. Your meme might just do the trick!

[Mama Belle]

I will work on this today to post for tomorrow. Although, I will not be as eloquent as you. Thanks for the tag.

[Fuschia]

I loved this! I am very glad you blog, 'cause you've become one of my imaginary friends ;) And now I know you even better!

[Drama Mama]

That is what this madness it is all about

[Lindsay]

Great meme.. I love reading what everyone has learned from blogging! I agree with your point 5, there is something so encouraging about finding someones blog, loving the post they wrote about their relationship with Christ.

[Headless Mom]

I'm glad that you're blogging, and I count you as one of my friends.

"B said the other day that..." Yeah, I do it too.

[Shara]

We're certainly glad you're blogging!

I'm giving you an award today on my blog. Check it out!

[Diane]

Okay. This was you on a "tired Monday" using as few brain cells as possible?
What ever could you be like on an alert, all-engines-firing day?
You did an eloquent, beautiful, perfect job of explaining why we blog.
Your I.F.,
Diane

[Robyn]

Done. Finished. Go see.

[Michelle]

Thanks for a great idea. I shared it at Brain Drops - http://mesbecker.blogspot.com

[The Roost]

YOU have blessed us far than you can imagine. You make us laugh, cook, think and read! :0) Keep it up!

[Katrina (Callapidder Days)]

Loved your answers. And #5? Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for playing along.

[Jenn]

I do that too! My friend, er...this person. I always go back to my friend though! Hah, Nobody but me knows that these "friends" I speak of are online only!

[Sandy]

I'm glad you didn't tag me because I think I would have said exactly what you did. You have one of the funnest blogs I read, I'm glad to count you as one of my 'imaginary friends'.

[Stonefox]

I found you on Shara's post at Mom in transition. I am new to blogging, but I can already relate to some of these! It was nice getting to know you a little bit today!

[Org Junkie]

Okay seriously I had to check because for a minute there I thought I was reading something I wrote. I was nodding my head all the way through, well except for the house selling part since we are not trying to sell our house at the moment but everything else I am totally 100% agreeing with you.

PS: I definitely don't have the blogging time management thing figured out, it is so hard when people keep posting such good stuff. SO HARD!

[Flowerpot]

I posted your meme on my blog. Thank you for reminding me of why I blog. Family and Jesus. And ummm, great decor ideas...

:)

[Tammy]

Okey dokey, B. It will be up for tomorrow.
My brain hurts now. ;-)

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

I like to hear other people's stories about blogging and what it means to them. Cute meme.

[suzanne]

Although I don't comment a lot here, I do check in often, and you are in my favs! I wholeheartedly agree with the things you've said here, and it's as if I wrote them. They are all true of me as well, so I def. understand. Keep up the good work--you encourage a lot of folks in the blog world!
Suzanne

[autumn dahlia]

You're so right about talking to people in "real" life about blog world happenings. You get so into blog friends and their lives that you forget that they aren't your physical friends.... but they are great friends to have :)

[Aimee]

I desperately need to know where you learned to make a mudroom where there isn't one!!

[Kelly @ Love Well]

Perfect summary of What Blogging Means To Me.

And now, since Lisa tagged me, I'm in her shoes: How am I supposed to follow this?