“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing” –Aristotle
I wouldn’t say that my blog is successful yet. It’s not even a year old. Plus, whose to say what really makes a blog successful anyway?
But yesterday, when my post about Miley gained some momentum, it felt pretty good. I’m not gonna lie and act like I don’t care what anyone thinks about me, because the real truth is, I do. I like it when someone comments that they “totally agree!” It makes me feel good to see lots of facebook shares. It hurts when someone attacks me, or challenges something that I’ve written about. It makes my heart race and my face gets red and I get sweaty (it’s the truth people).
Which is why blogging is so scary sometimes; because I value honestly and transparency more than I value being liked. It’s never my desire to cause a ruckus, but when you are passionate about something, there will always be those who passionately disagree. And through the anonymity of a computer screen, people can be vicious, much more so than if we were standing face to face.
Plus, you can’t force writing something you are proud of, it just comes about, usually unexpectedly. And now I have this fear that all of you new readers are going to be disappointed when you find that I often blog about homemade toothpaste, essential oils, why fabric softener is quite possibly the devil, why I think that Advocare causes more harm than good, and how I just had a baby in a big blow-up tub in my home.
This isn’t the first post to gain a lot of momentum but it was the biggest so far, and every time it happens I have this same thought: “oh, crap, what can I possibly write about next?!”
It’s the problem with success, even on this very small scale. It brings with it the expectation to perform at that same level continuously and consistently.
And what if I can’t?
As I was doing laundry and musing over these things (see…I just lost a few of you at “laundry”…I knew it) I was reminded of why I started the blog in the first place. I am passionate about a few things: health & wellness, my family, my savior, and people. I mean, at first I didn’t think I should write about anything but health food, essential oils, and “organic this and that” because my blog would “lack focus” and I might “offend people.”
And then I realized: this is just a freaking blog, it’s my blog, and I can write whatever I want. So yesterday, it was the post about Miley…the day before? DIY fruit fly trap. I kid you not.
But really, these things actually DO work together, and I just discovered why. It’s because of you. Because of my love for people. I don’t claim to have life all figured out, I’m only thirty, but I do feel that I have a few things to offer. I love people deeply and I find great fulfullment in helping others. Whether that is helping someone to loose weight, or overcome ADD through diet, or learn how to brew their own kombucha, or become a better parent…it all works together.
Because at the heart of all of my posts is love.
It’s my deep desire and longing to love others, whether that is by offering a recipe, remedy, or a fresh perspective.
So, even if you aren’t into making your own yogurt, shopping at Farmer’s Markets, or getting all fired up about why I will never get a flu shot, there may be something here for you. So I hope you will stick around. Because sometimes I write about what a good man looks like, teaching my children to serve and love the poor, how I deal with tragedy, on not taking my children as emotional hostages, and why, sometimes, I eat food off of the street.
Oh, and thanks so much for the support yesterday. It meant the world to me.
PS – the big secret I’ve been teasing you with for a few weeks now? I’m gonna tell you…soon, promise!
live well. be well.
