Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters by Hendrik Averkamp
I've been wondering for several days whether or not I should keep blogging. As I reflect on the past three years, I'm really pleased that I have been so consistent in posting. It's been gratifying to see that I can express my thoughts on "paper" and there are several posts that I am particularly proud of. In addition, the blog has been a place where I have been able to grow into how I imagine myself. My first post was a poem I had recently composed. I had the feeling that if I just kept it to myself, it wouldn't be the same. Even if nobody read it, still the act of making my words public was important to my sense of self.
I didn't post much more poetry, but I did start putting out more of my thoughts - writing down those ideas which were on the order of "I've been thinking," a phrase my children heard often at the breakfast or dinner table. I moved on to exploring thoughts on theology and personal health. The Sunday posts were an oppotunity to fill in what the Sunday sermon had inspired. The healthy living posts morphed into sharing favorite recipes, which in turn encouraged me to keep looking for more healthy ways to cook.
But perhaps my favorite posts have been my Friday posts - where I've scoured the internet for poetry, music and art to share. Like a freshman english project, finding poetry has made me love poetry even more. A recent trip to Barnes and Noble looking for some poetry for a friend, led to some familiar faces, in part due to poets who have become favorites over the years. Needing a piece of art to illustrate a post, or creating a post out of a Chihuly or Van Gogh exhibit reminds me how much I'm drawn to art. I've discovered some great sites for classic art and myriads of artists who continue to create breathtaking pieces.
My password for this account includes the word "encourage" and though no doubt I've encouraged some of you who have found your way to this blog, I think the encouragement has been flowing often toward me, nourishing my soul, enriching my own joy. And so, like most writers, in the end I've ended up writing mostly for myself.
Still, I'm noticing recently that I'm having to choose between time at the blog and time at the piano, or reading, or cooking, or the myriad of other things that make my life meaningful and full of joy. And so while I may not close my blog down indefinitely, I think I'm going to take a break to leave more time for other creative pursuits. A friend of mine, Farida, who I found through the "Better Living Through Beowulf" blog I've mentioned in past posts, sent me a poem this morning which sums it up better than I could.
My life has been the poem I would have writ
by Henry David Thoreau
My life has been the poem I would have writ
But I could not both live and utter it.
Perhaps living my life will include sharing and reflecting on it at this blog. Or maybe my writing and creativity will take a different bent. (There's still so much I want to interact on with Julian of Norwich, for instance, and I wonder how best to do that.) No matter what the future looks like, it's been great hanging out here at "Lets Choose Joy," Thanks to all of you who have made comments and shared posts. May this New Year be filled with blessings and joy.
I didn't post much more poetry, but I did start putting out more of my thoughts - writing down those ideas which were on the order of "I've been thinking," a phrase my children heard often at the breakfast or dinner table. I moved on to exploring thoughts on theology and personal health. The Sunday posts were an oppotunity to fill in what the Sunday sermon had inspired. The healthy living posts morphed into sharing favorite recipes, which in turn encouraged me to keep looking for more healthy ways to cook.
But perhaps my favorite posts have been my Friday posts - where I've scoured the internet for poetry, music and art to share. Like a freshman english project, finding poetry has made me love poetry even more. A recent trip to Barnes and Noble looking for some poetry for a friend, led to some familiar faces, in part due to poets who have become favorites over the years. Needing a piece of art to illustrate a post, or creating a post out of a Chihuly or Van Gogh exhibit reminds me how much I'm drawn to art. I've discovered some great sites for classic art and myriads of artists who continue to create breathtaking pieces.
My password for this account includes the word "encourage" and though no doubt I've encouraged some of you who have found your way to this blog, I think the encouragement has been flowing often toward me, nourishing my soul, enriching my own joy. And so, like most writers, in the end I've ended up writing mostly for myself.
Still, I'm noticing recently that I'm having to choose between time at the blog and time at the piano, or reading, or cooking, or the myriad of other things that make my life meaningful and full of joy. And so while I may not close my blog down indefinitely, I think I'm going to take a break to leave more time for other creative pursuits. A friend of mine, Farida, who I found through the "Better Living Through Beowulf" blog I've mentioned in past posts, sent me a poem this morning which sums it up better than I could.
My life has been the poem I would have writ
by Henry David Thoreau
My life has been the poem I would have writ
But I could not both live and utter it.
Perhaps living my life will include sharing and reflecting on it at this blog. Or maybe my writing and creativity will take a different bent. (There's still so much I want to interact on with Julian of Norwich, for instance, and I wonder how best to do that.) No matter what the future looks like, it's been great hanging out here at "Lets Choose Joy," Thanks to all of you who have made comments and shared posts. May this New Year be filled with blessings and joy.
