Take Joy—My Fourth-Year Blogoversary

It feels like forever since I’ve written a post. What a whirlwind the last two weeks have been. First, my computer decided to stop charging. After contacting the manufacturer a few times, I had to send it to California for repair. So, I was without a computer for a while. Though the repair center techies returned my computer, I’m still waiting for them to return my AC adapter. (So much for being able to use the computer.) Second, I caught the weird virus with a lingering cough that just about everyone I know has, and, like everyone else, have fought it with an antibiotic. (I’m still a bit under the weather.)

Anyway, this week marks my fourth anniversary as a blogger. Honestly, I almost forgot about that anniversary due to the computer issues. But like Christmas, “it came just the same.” (Extra credit points if you can name where that quote came from.)

As I considered what to post for this blogoversary, I was reminded of something my mom said to me recently after I grumbled to her about everything that happened: “Do something that brings you joy.” (Though I’m old as dirt, my mother still gives me advice. I find that quite nice, actually.)

Posting on this blog gives me great joy. But there have been times when that joy has diminished. This is usually when I start to worry about how many subscribers I have, versus how many a fellow blogger might have. Focusing on stats, at least for me, is a joy killer. So, in the last year or so, I made a pact with myself to ignore the stats and keep posting whether anyone reads what I write or not.

And that’s been the fear—that no one will read my witterings. But here I am, four years later, still wittering. Still flying by the seat of my pants as a blogger.

The best way to deal with fear is to focus on something that is an antidote to fear. Which brings me back to Mom’s advice about joy. For me, joy comes from putting words down on paper—words that tell a story, allow me to share a bit about myself, or provide a tip on the craft of writing.

Last week, joy also came from buying and putting together this Djeco fairy castle, which promptly gained a ton of visitors. But I digress.

  

Joy also comes from interacting with you, my readers. I’ve gained some good friends through this blog. And that’s the ultimate joy for me about being a blogger.

What brings you joy?

Some of the occupants on my computer desk

Joy image from floatinglemons.com. Number four from clker.com. No fear sign from liferoadsigns.com. Other photos by L. Marie.