I wanted you to know that what you do, what you write, what you share, what you photograph…..MATTERS. Here is a suggestion–look over your own past posts. Go back a year and look at what you posted (or if you have been blogging less than a year look back to your first few posts). I am betting you will see that you, too, are growing, changing, deepening, touching other people’s hearts.
Journalism via the old standard newspapers may be dying. BUT the community of bloggers are a grassroots movement (yeh I’m from the 60s and grassroots movements TOTALLY ROCK).
Did you think 10 years ago you would be writing a blog and sharing your words, poems, and or photos with people in far-flung places? It is, when you think about it, VERY thrilling.
You can turn on your computer and read blogs about people enduring despite pain and difficulties and finding joy in life, you find amazing, amazing poetry and breathtaking photographs, you find spot-on advice, you find spiritual guidance that is stop-in-your-tracks exactly what you need, you travel with people on their photo-taking expeditions. It expands your world. Before you know it, it has opened the windows in your heart and soul.
It can help you and others. So write on, draw on, photograph on, share it with us ~ and become all you are dreaming of. Our community continues to grow and connect. We are the world ❤
Believe Anyway 
Today’s blog has changed my perspective about my own blog, I never thought of it in those terms before.
I too am from the 60’s and as much as I may have enjoyed them and it has helped to mold me in who I am today, I don’t want to redo them. I am happy to be in the here and now and yeah, living the 60’s has put a different spin on things that would otherwise would have been different if I had just skimmed over them.
I like your post, thanks! ~ Julie
I agree with you about the 60’s! I don’t want to re-do them. I do want my heart to always have a piece of that optimism that is intrinsic with being young. It is so very fascinating though to be able to read so many blogs and see everyone’s perspectives right at our fingertips, isn’t it?
I guess that’s how I view the 60’s as well.
I am not a writer but when I find someone’s blog with the words just flowing and saying exactly how they want it to say, seeing the gift of it, it’s neat. Also the creativity out there is awesome in both crafts and writing; it’s all good!
Gosh I love to read about crafts—sewing, scrapbooking, interior design, knitting, crocheting, card making. There are so many great ideas!!
Beautiful post Kate!
Wendell thank you so very much!!
Great message! I for one, hope you keep writing!
I intend to keep writing!!! So many thoughts and ideas to share! Thanks for the vote of confidence. Blow a kiss to London for me!!
Awesome word, Kate, bless you!
thanks Susan. Glad you liked it. thanks for your kind words!
Excellent! Great perspective for bloggers.
Thanks so much. That means so much coming from you, dear Wordsmith!
It can be a really fast way to get news, too. If I stay online, that is. 😉
yeh—that’s the balance we have to strike! news v communication v other duties/chores v prayer v etc….. love you!!
vs. SLEEP? 😀
ah you can specifically identify what i have a shortage of!!!!
I have a second sense — as in NO common sense! 😉 I can feel it in my bones. Which are tired! 😆
LOL—my brother regularly says to me “sure you have book smarts but you have no common sense”–but he doesn’t say it to me nearly as often as he used to!! hope you get lots of sleep tonight!!
Kate, you are a spectacular Life Coach–I can barely see to type, for the tears welling in my eyes. Everything you wrote is so true and wondrous–I feel amazingly, abundantly blessed to be part of this grass roots movement of journalists. Frequently–like almost daily–God speaks to me through someone’s post, “just what I need to hear” to lift me, keep me moving forward, always reaching. And the days when someone comments that what I’ve written has blessed them–wow, I get the blessing multiplied ten-fold at least!! Thank you for all you do here, all you GIVE–God bless you BIG! love, sis Caddo
Life Coach—wow! Thanks so much. I guess the changing existence of newspapers in print these days really brought it to mind. God speaks to me through your posts and others. It is just so amazing to see such ample evidence of His voice and touch everywhere isn’t it? We are indeed blessed many times over by each other. You warmed my heart with your loving, loving comment. hugs and love to you sis—
It’s really gratifying to hear that it’s a mutual deal, Kate–sometimes I’m just “bumbling along”, hoping I get it right!!
me too sis–me too….so often i am right back in jr high, standing by the wall at the sock hop, not knowing where to put my hands and arms!!
Oh goodness–at least you went; I stayed home!
Great piece! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing this, Kate.
Thanks Joseyphina~ i am very glad that you liked it!
A great post with a wonderful message.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks Francine!!!
Francine thanks so very much!
Consider me encouraged by you today! Thanks!
I am so very glad that you were encouraged!! Thanks…
Who knew… Ten years ago, I had a blog/website but didn’t know what to do with it so I let it go… Yes we are a growing community and who knows what the future holds. Welcome back! 🙂
Ten years ago I didn’t even know how to send an email! Love to you!
😆 That’s why I let it go… I didn’t know what to do with it… My cousin, an exec with HP, set it up and raved about the future of online writing. I nodded, rolled my eyes, and went back to whatever I was doing; that’s why Mark Z is a billionaire and I’m still pounding the pavement… 😆 Love to you too! 🙂
Mark Z may be a billionaire—but you are the real deal. Genuine, uplifting, and inspiring!!
As always, you are very inspiring Kate. Ten years ago I didn’t even know what a blog was. And when my son urged me to start one six years ago, I told him I thought it was a dangerous thing to do! Besides that, I said, “I can’t.” Thanks to my son and all the great encouragement out there and inspiration, I have discovered “I can,” and I love every minute of it.
Dor–it is always so fun to read what you write and see your photos. So glad that you are a blogger and love to do it!!
So true! I started blogging just to amuse myself and keep a record of things I found interesting or inspiring. In the 2 years I’ve been blogging, I have come across such great bloggers and expanded my horizons.
and you have NO idea how very exciting it is for me to see and read all you share all the way from Africa….I am so very blessed that you started your blog!
You’re so right Kate, I never dreamt that I would be part of something this big when I began in May last year!
and now look at all those you reach, and all those who reach you….sigh. casting our bread upon the waters.
I have nominated you for the Addictive Blogger Award
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I will get posting on this ASAP!!
Thank you Kate for your inspiring words and encouragement. We are definitely made of good stuff, and proud of it too! I agree that each one of us can find purpose and connection when we blog. And I also agree that we are very blessed indeed to have had this time to do so. Good work, little sister! Cissy in central Texas
Cissy thanks so much. I am so glad that my post struck a chord with you. Hugs and prayers to you big sis!
Kate, I teach journalism at the community college level and I begin each year with the premise that we are all journalist – and when it comes to how this ‘new’ journaling has and continues to change the world, I reference what is called “backpack journalism.” It has brought about the beginnings of freedom and empowered groups heretofore hidden away from the eyes of the public – witness Arab Spring and other groundswell movements. The speed of information/communication is phenomenal and can and should be harnessed for good. We still need facts – “just the fact m’am” 🙂 It is my job to show students where to go for facts – to question, verify then report. I love this job.
Thanks for this piece. I will share with my students if you don’t mind. 🙂
Backpack journalism, now isn’t THAT a perfect way to put it! Freedom always finds a way, and truth always ends up coming to to the forefront. Gwen, you and I are of a certain age that we know the beginnings of a groundswell movement. You are so right. It means so much to me that you liked my piece. Not only do I not mind if you share my piece with your students, I am honored. have a great day!!