No Man Is An Island

Funny how we can think we're the only one going through something. I think it's easy to get locked in to that mentality. It's only me. No one else could possibly know what my life is like. Everyone else has got it going on but my life is falling apart. It's easy to think those kind of thoughts. I certainly know I've thought them before.

But the more I've taken the risk, opened up, shared with a friend or two a little peak into my life the more I'm pleasantly surprised to find I'm not the only one. It's refreshing. It's connecting. It's encouraging.

But there's that pesky little risk word. The weight of which involves being honest, being humble, letting the not so pretty parts of our lives be a little more known to those around us. Why aren't we doing more of that? Fear. Fear of rejection. Fear that we are the only one. That no one will get it. That we'll be the freaky friend with the weirdo problems. Nobody wants to be a weirdo.

Without being all super duper spiritual I think it's really the devil's plan to make us feel alone. To be isolated. What better way to keep us stuck where we're at? What better way to make us feel like losers.

I dare you to take the risk. Put it all out there. If you don't want to put it all out there put a little bit out there. I bet you find someone who gets it. Actually, I bet you find a ton of people who get it. You won't be as weird as you thought you were. Your problems won't be nearly as off the wall as they seemed.

Chances are you're going to hear something like this:

Financial difficulties? Sure.

Marriage ever gone through a rough patch? Yip.

Sex life not all it's cracked up to be? Uhuh.

Kids not exactly behaving as you'd like? You betcha.

Wish you were in better shape? Join the club.

Talk to a friend. Talk to 10 friends. You'll be glad you did.

Blogs are Pretentious

So, over the years I've known about blogs, I've read blogs, I even think I remember when blogging was invented and everyone thought it was such a cool new thing. I've remained...skeptical. Don't get me wrong - I don't think there's a blog I've happened upon that I didn't enjoy reading. And I've got to say it seems most of my friends have been bloggers for a while now. But always, when I entertained the idea of blogging I had a thought that went a little something like this:

"It's pretentious to think that I have anything so special to say that I should write a blog about it." or
"I don't have such an exciting life that it's something to write about" or
"What makes my thoughts so interesting and unique that people would want to read them?"

However, over the last few months, maybe even a year I've experienced a slow but sure change of heart. I'm starting to see that there's something deeply satisfying about community, connection, relationship. That if we all joined hearts and heads we're way more likely to win the battle (whatever your battle may be on any given day). I've learned from those of you I've read, I've changed things about myself, the way I do things, tried new things, read new things... The list could go on. And I've realized I definitely have things to say. Things that only I can say as I am the only me. And my experiences make me all that I am and give me that special 'Uniquely Me' take on every situation.

So, maybe blogs aren't so pretentious after all. And seeing that I've decided to start one of my own, maybe something I've got to say will help you along your way. Or entertain you at the very least.

So here I go...join me if you dare.