Community Redefined
ByI’m excited to introduce you to Heather from Running from the Little People and From Grey to Green, she’s a great fun read and she’s guest posting here today.
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When Beth first asked me to guest post for her while she was offline for a few days, my initial reaction was, “Sure! I’d be happy to!”
As soon as that thought passed from my brain to my keyboard to give her an answer, I broke into a nervous sweat. I mean, come on. This is BETH. Designer extraordinaire, amazing photographer, green thumb gardener and beautiful…BETH. Is there really anything I can say while I’m here “eating all of her food,” keeping an eye on things that will not leave her readers begging to have her back on their screen instead of this strange sweaty woman standing in for her?
Once I calmed down, I realized something. You and I have a lot in common. We both come over to Beth’s blog to read what is on her heart each day. Although Beth’s corner of the internet is one of the first places I read each day, it’s not the only blog that I frequent. I’m willing to bet it’s not the only one for you, either. As a matter of fact, statistically, I’m betting that the majority of you have your own blog, just as I do.
In the past few years, I have been amazed at how communities form on the internet. It’s something that our parents probably never envisioned as a part of the future.
My own blog reading started when I read an article in a magazine about “Mommy Bloggers” finding their niche on the internet. I visited the two blogs mentioned in the article and a couple of years later, I have more blogs that I frequent than I’d be willing to count.
When I speak of the women that I read online to my husband, I refer to them often as friends. When they are in pain, I grieve and pray for them. When they are rejoicing, I find myself as excited for them as I would be for one of the friends that I actually see face to face on a regular basis. When they don’t post for a few days, I get worried. I try to encourage when they need it and they’ve done the same for me.
There was a time when community was defined as a group of people living in close proximity. Times have changed. I move very often and the most amazing community I’ve found is one that can go with me to each new chapter of life. We may all come from different backgrounds, we may like different political candidates and we may never meet face to face but we are a community. I’m so thankful to be able to refer to you as my friends.
Now, friends, stick around and let’s “fold Beth’s laundry” and keep Beth’s place looking spiffy for her while she’s away. That’s what friends are for.
Heather, you are so right. I met a “blogging friend” last week for the first time in real life….but it SO didn’t feel like the first time we were meeting! Love it. One of my favorite pieces of facebook flair is “I love my computer. All my friends live in it.” Maybe a little extreme, but as real life and bloggy friends get flung to all corners of the country, it’s become very true!
Heather, you are so right. I met a “blogging friend” last week for the first time in real life….but it SO didn’t feel like the first time we were meeting! Love it. One of my favorite pieces of facebook flair is “I love my computer. All my friends live in it.” Maybe a little extreme, but as real life and bloggy friends get flung to all corners of the country, it’s become very true!
Very true! Thanks for posting this on Beth’s blog, it is amazing how easy it is to get connected to others through blogs and to have people who are going through the same things that we can share with. (Interestingly enough, society says that computers are keeping us dis-connected. I supposed that like anything in life, it depends on how you look at it.
Very true! Thanks for posting this on Beth’s blog, it is amazing how easy it is to get connected to others through blogs and to have people who are going through the same things that we can share with. (Interestingly enough, society says that computers are keeping us dis-connected. I supposed that like anything in life, it depends on how you look at it.
Thanks, guys! Thanks to Beth for letting me hang out here today
Thanks, guys! Thanks to Beth for letting me hang out here today
I have loved the outlet of blogging and CONECTING with others through my computer it is amazing!
I have loved the outlet of blogging and CONECTING with others through my computer it is amazing!
I think you did a great guest-post =)
I think you did a great guest-post =)
I always love a good guest post because it introduces me to new bloggy friends. Can’t wait to check out your blog.
I always love a good guest post because it introduces me to new bloggy friends. Can’t wait to check out your blog.
What a great post! I’m not a blogger myself but after reading this, maybe I should be…
Oh, and you did a great job keeping Beth’s place clean for her while she’s out!!!
What a great post! I’m not a blogger myself but after reading this, maybe I should be…
Oh, and you did a great job keeping Beth’s place clean for her while she’s out!!!
The friendships and sisterhood that have evolved from blogging is nothing short of miraculous. I don’t think any social media experts could have predicted anything close to what has happened with the “Mommy Blogs.” It is kinda-sorta like the old pen-pals, but so much more depth because of the often-times daily, and sometimes instant, connection with news or a funny story or asking for a prayer. I know that my heart is attached to both Heather and Beth…
Perfect post!!!!
The friendships and sisterhood that have evolved from blogging is nothing short of miraculous. I don’t think any social media experts could have predicted anything close to what has happened with the “Mommy Blogs.” It is kinda-sorta like the old pen-pals, but so much more depth because of the often-times daily, and sometimes instant, connection with news or a funny story or asking for a prayer. I know that my heart is attached to both Heather and Beth…
Perfect post!!!!
awww…i totally related to this. i don’t have a blog anymore…i used to a long time ago.. it was my primary outlet of getting things off my chest being alone in a foreign country…then i had to go through some really hard times where i questioned a lot of things, felt extremely vulnerable and took a hiatus. it’s been a LONG hiatus and lately i’ve been thinking about starting one up again, just to document all these experiences…to read back one day to my kids and say…remember when?
but i have met some AMAZING people online, and my husband for the most part doesn’t get it…but he’s so patient with me and lets me ramble through about so and so from wherever that’s going through something, or why i have to have to go to michael’s to pick up some paper to make a card to send to houston…lol…just yesterday he was telling me i was such a dork because i was SO disappointed i couldn’t meet up with my local flickr group….i think it is that bond you find with people that either remind you or yourself and share all your favorite interests or are like the people that you wish to be.
it’s friends that really, don’t even have to be your friends because they aren’t “real”…it’s people that are sometimes brutally honest, but you know you can always count on them to tell you the truth. it’s a place to scream, cry, bitch, whine, complain, laugh, commiserate…all while still in your pajamas at noon.
awww…i totally related to this. i don’t have a blog anymore…i used to a long time ago.. it was my primary outlet of getting things off my chest being alone in a foreign country…then i had to go through some really hard times where i questioned a lot of things, felt extremely vulnerable and took a hiatus. it’s been a LONG hiatus and lately i’ve been thinking about starting one up again, just to document all these experiences…to read back one day to my kids and say…remember when?
but i have met some AMAZING people online, and my husband for the most part doesn’t get it…but he’s so patient with me and lets me ramble through about so and so from wherever that’s going through something, or why i have to have to go to michael’s to pick up some paper to make a card to send to houston…lol…just yesterday he was telling me i was such a dork because i was SO disappointed i couldn’t meet up with my local flickr group….i think it is that bond you find with people that either remind you or yourself and share all your favorite interests or are like the people that you wish to be.
it’s friends that really, don’t even have to be your friends because they aren’t “real”…it’s people that are sometimes brutally honest, but you know you can always count on them to tell you the truth. it’s a place to scream, cry, bitch, whine, complain, laugh, commiserate…all while still in your pajamas at noon.
