Reflections on a Year of Blogging

Day 365

I woke this morning to a too quiet household. I was confused. My granddaughter sleeps with a sound machine and her parents have a baby monitor in the bedroom which picks up the sound of the machine as well. This morning I heard nothing. I was quite confused. This is not the norm. It is not usually this quiet, and the stillness may have been what woke me. There was evidence someone was awake before me because the patio sliders were open enough to allow the cats to enter and exit at will. Otherwise they can be noisy creatures demanding access to their domain. Everyone is still asleep which is a blessing considering the chaos that has driven this home for the last eight months. It is peaceful.

This is the way my 365th day of blogging begins. Peacefully. I have learned that peace is often underestimated in this world. Peace of mind, peace from arguments, peace from our government, peace among people, and peace in our differences. They are all important aspects of a calm and peaceful life.

I ask myself what I have learned over this last year of blogging. It is obvious that commitment comes to mind. Setting a goal and being firm in my conviction to complete what I sat out to do was a big part of reaching this point. Even in the days surrounding the illness and loss of my mother-in-law, I managed to post something. And you shared my sadness and grief.

This year of blogging has taught me to be patient. With myself and with others.

The exchange of ideas has been rewarding.

I have learned that making time for me is important.

I have learned so much more about writing by reading your words.

I have managed to be fairly disciplined about when I read and when I write.

My blogging has brought new friends into my life.

I have learned I can be present in my life and also be a consistent blogger.

I learned that there is always room to learn more about each other and the world we live in.

I learned I do not want to stop blogging. It is an important part of my life. I do not know what the next year will bring. I do not know if I will continue to blog every day, but I think I will blog most days. I hope to share some of my fictional work here as well.

Whatever the next year brings, I hope you will come along with me. My journey is just beginning.

(The morning chaos was the result of a power outage. No A/C, no fans, no sound machines, no baby monitors. I slept right through it.)