As I mentioned in my last post, I've decided to combine my goals for 2010 into big, (hopefully) inspiring themes. As I contemplated my goals for this year, and chatted about them with Richard, I noticed them all falling into different categories and bigger, more overarching goals emerged. Despite them getting bigger, this has helped make things seem so much more exciting and doable to me.
Something I've been thinking about a lot recently is connecting. I'd say one of the most significant things of the past decade for me was the explosion of the internet. For sure, it can be a huge time suck, but because of the internet I have this blog, our etsy store and the ability to buy handmade from all over the world. It has enabled me to connect with people and ideas that would never have been possible otherwise, and so despite all the crazy out there, I am really thankful for this online business.
I do get shy though. I have often been guilty of reading a lovely blog post or viewing a particularly beautiful photo on flickr, and then moving on without leaving a comment. Which is funny, because although I may feel like I have nothing to contribute to the conversation, I have had a reaction of some kind to it in my head. I have felt something or I have something to add, I agree and sometimes disagree, so why not let them know? I often feel like anything I have to say has already been said by previous commenters, so why bother? But, perhaps yours or my perspective is exactly the one that writer needs to hear. However, as a blogger I know what a huge encouragement it is to receive comments on my posts. It may not feel like much, but I truly do get excited each time I get one. Partly because it means someone is listening, partly because it means someone either likes or is in some way moved by what I've written here, and partly because it sparks a connection between you and I.
So with that in mind, I have decided to make an effort to connect with the blogs I read and foster conversation and community more between myself and them. I would love it if I got to hear more from you lovely readers, also! One of my favourite parts of Google Analytics is the map overlay, where I get to see where in the world people are visiting this space from. Japan! Sweden! Greece! I wonder who you all are? Do you have blogs, too? I would love to read them! I know some of you are perhaps also shy, but even if it is just this one time, I would love for you to leave me a comment with the following...
Where you are from and/or live?
If you like, how old are you?
How do you pass your days?
I would love to get to know you all better, to connect. I'd love to hear your thoughts on things, to get advice and to foster community. Hope to hear from you soon!
xo
(oh, for all you google reader users, there has been a bit of a blog redesign if you'd like to pop in and take a peek!)
After a conversation on twitter amongst some lovely blogger friends a week or so ago about a giant blog collaboration or 'community' day of action, the idea of 'Blogging It Forward' was born. Victoria over at sfgirlbybay did an absolutely amazing job of putting this together, organising 300 bloggers who will all be writing about what inspires them over the next month or so.
hello (at) blissinateacup (dot) com
