you constantly amaze me
Once upon a time I used to read only mommy and daddy blogs and a handful of personal blogs; those alone took big chunks of my free time. I also only used to read blogs of individuals who read mine and I thought that was fair but obligatory and dull. The whole ‘you comment, I follow’ rule never worked for me and actually, when it comes to blogging, rules in general don’t work for me (and probably why I haven’t once successfully completed NaBloPoMo). It’s just blogging; writing and reading on the internet because I feel like it, when I feel like it.
I stopped reading a lot of blogs because of their family friendly, child-focused goodness tainted with cheesy reviews and plugs (obviously not a bad thing when you look at the popularity of and money involved in parenting blogs – and I do have a little handful of exceptions – it’s just that I come online as a break from children rather than to hear all about other people’s), messages of mediocre being the new black, blahs, whaas, dramas and constant rantings.
I was feeling unfulfilled, uninspired and missed learning about actual people and their passions.
Coming online is my hobby, my escape. In my time here, I want to learn something, see something beautiful, become inspired to better my world, get to know a person’s heart, soul, fears, passions and dreams a little better. I actually love reading your memes and diary-style entries because I learn so much about you as a person.
So basically my criteria became, if I’m not learning anything about the writer, then I don’t read the blog. The “writing” doesn’t even matter – I’ve never been one to follow after so-called amazing ‘writers’ in the blogosphere anyway; I’ve always preferred the unique, original, one of a kind diamonds over the obnoxious shiny stones bought in a mall because the romantic commercial said to.
Anyway, everything changed and my reading list was quartered, in effect clearing up a bunch of time.
And so I started out on an adventure outside of my comfort zone and found hundreds of ridiculously positive, beautiful, inspiring, gorgeous, thought-provoking blogs. Personal blogs, niche blogs, photo blogs, food blogs, every kind of blog blogs. They make me smile.
People doing actual things over and above the norm. Blogs teaching Yes. People encouraging me to touch the sky because I can and if I don’t succeed today, try again tomorrow or next week or next month; just don’t stop trying. Articles focused on becoming anything – including happy – if you want it badly enough. Artists sharing what’s gorgeous and moving through their eyes today … This practice changed my life … Here is how I’m succeeding … Open your mind … Aim to be more and better …
(You can find snippets if you click my “Everything Beautiful in the Blogs” button on my sidebar which is my shared items in Google reader).
And my mind was blown open to a world of colour brighter, richer and deeper than I’ve ever seen before and it’s all been extremely fulfilling and thought provoking.
But all this computer time is over-stuffing brain; I can feel it sparking with all the information I’m receiving and not properly digesting. I’m like an overly excited child constantly darting to the next ride.
So it’s time to slow down and savour. There is so much beauty and greatness that I never knew existed out here in the blogosphere and it could easily consume my entire life.
Talk about inspiration overload. I never knew there was such a thing.
I also never knew there was such a thing as writing 600+ words and not really remembering what my main point was supposed to be. Sorry 
But know this …
If you’re reading this and I’m reading you, then I want you to know that you, as an individual, constantly amaze me.
Thank you for being excellent and sharing it with the world.
Filed under: nablopomo, pleasures, positivity! | 14 Comments
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Very cool stuff. I need to break out my little corner more often.
Likewise, I’m sure!
xoxo
frankly, you amaze *me* …
You know, I can’t recall how I came upon your blog. I do know that your name, Huckdoll is cool.
I like reading about you and the great white north. I enjoy reading about Vancouver and your girls. I also think that you are among the mega coolest people out here, for real.
Peace, Love, and Hairgrease!!
Mark
I have admired and respected you since the first time I read you – around two years ago, now. There have been so many changes. In you and your life. In me, and my life.
I am so glad you’re still out here.
Thank you, for being who and what you are – one truly amazing woman.
I liked this post…..a lot.
I too, like reading and learning about other people. I like reading about stuff that is different from me. And I totally agree that being on the computer/internet is my time, my escape. I don’t feel as though my blog is all that interesting to other people as my blog was and is set up for memories, good bad and ugly, and a way to connect with family and friends. God forbid something were to happen to me, I would hope that my husband, family and friends, would show my little piece of the net to my boys so they would get a tiny glimpse of what life with them was like through my eyes
It’s so much better when I stop forcing myself to reading someone’s blog out of some sense of obligation and just reading for pleasure, for inspiration. And I’ve also given myself permission not to comment when I have nothing to add!
Thank you, Jen. I’m glad you’re back.
I’ve really tapered my reader down. I’ve grown very fond of a few foodie/cooking blogs and several interior design/DIY sites… I’ve found that maybe it’s a maturity. Blogging is exactly what you described and so I don’t want to spend my precious time in obligatory niceties…
I figure since I am not a particularly nice person in real life, I don’t need to worry so much about being one in blogland, ha ha ha.
Just wanted to tell you that you have it right.
I know what you mean about comments. I rarely comment- Only if the post particuarily makes me want to comment other than “I agree” or end up pushing my beliefs on people. I don’t want to comment saying merely “I agree!” because that is an annoying comment for me to get.
Also, I love this post. Officially “Liked” and “starred” in google reader. And honestly, I think mommy blogs are annoying. I know that sounds mean; but a) they’re reptitive, and b) slightly cliche. I don’t know- maybe it’s just because I don’t have kids. (And I don’t plan on having any outside of adoption; I really don’t want to go into labor or have a C section)
But yea, this post basically summed up why I love blogging. It’s relaxing, and a place where I can just be myself without being judged and without having to think about what I’m saying or censor myself because of the fear parents might read it.
I shared you in Google Reader because I think that your post hit home with me. So many times, often what I read is “How can I have more comments, how can I have more readers, how can I..”
What happened to just writing? Just letting it flow?
That’s why I’m here. I LOVE what you share in Google reader– You’re my favorite person to follow over there
I’m lucky to have found you via cre8buzz, and I feel blessed to know you, my friend.
xo
H
I update my reader often. I also used to read only single mom blogs and a few of my friends blogs but single moms can get a little one tracked so I took alot of them out and also now have a huge variety of people I read
You know something? I know you occasionally pop in and leave me a really great comment, proving you read that particular post; but I have no clue if you actually read me.
And that’s okay with me, because I know that what you HAVE read, speaks to you. And that’s one of the main reasons I write. To speak to someone, and have it mean something.
Even if I do write about my kids, or how my view of life with them is just not quite what everyone tells me it should me.
I’ve been too busy to actually read most of the stuff in my reader. I go days (sometimes weeks) without checking it these days, compared to trolling it approximately every hour. It’s kind of freeing, really. I read what I want, mostly comment only when I feel like it, stopped caring much about whether anyone still reads mine and once in awhile find another gem along the way, the kind that when I do bother to open my reader I know that particular blog will have something so good in it that I can’t help but comment. Like this post.