Ever since the blog party, I've been thinking a lot about blogging and the nature of our friendships. After reading Amy's post thanking her blogging friends for all their words, I've decided to try to articulate my thoughts. Many of us had never met in person before, and many of us still have not done so. What a unique opportunity it is to get to know someone through their writing and their thoughts before we see their physical attributes. We share through our blogs the happy events in our lives, our idiosyncrasies, daily routines, our families, things that uplift us, and funny happenings, as well as some of our struggles and challenges. But there is a limit to what we can (or want to) portray about ourselves in this forum. Do you ever wonder how our perceptions of each other would differ if we had met in our neighborhoods or wards?
I've known quite a few of you for some time prior to the whole blogging revolution, and reading your blogs has only served to deepen my appreciation for and understanding of you and our friendship. But for those of you I have "met" through blogging, I find myself wondering if I would have been as drawn to you had we met through more traditional circumstances. What judgments would I make based on appearance? Would I close myself off to potentially wonderful relationships due to my own shyness or insecurities? I have met many many people throughout my life where my first impression was proven shortsighted at the least, if not entirely wrong. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am grateful for the blessing of being able to get to know all of you through your thoughts and words. I feel like we're able to circumvent all of the awkwardness and judgments and get right to what matters -- it's like a friendship shortcut or something. How often does that happen? I just wanted you all to know that all that you've shared is a gift to me.
10 comments:
It's kind of hilarious that I'm typing this comment on your computer while sitting very near you, but let me be the first to say that this is a great post.
I love what blogging has done for all of us, and love how it levels us so that we're all on the same plain. We are able to post about the minutia of our lives, and who can't relate to that? I have no doubt that many of us would not have overlapped if we'd met somewhere else, and am so thankful that we can feel this kinship for each other without having ever met, or knowing each other well. It's great.
The words that you just spoke are full of wisdom! I don't think under traditional circumstances you could reach a soul...the way Blogging can...you would need to be "sitting right next to jill every week" or "x" for a long time before you could open up in a way that you would feel comfortable. Blogging I think is such a tremendous craft because it is a window into your soul and for what ever reasons you do it (mainly I believe it is our "journal of the 21st Century") you are allowing people to come and see you how you really are with no time to "hide" in a façade of insecurities/shyness/inhibitions because you are being YOU and "friends" are seeing you right through! I think the special connection that we all have is that we have a friend/sister all in common so it is like a tree branching off--could you imagine if everyone we knew and were close friends with would blog? I always admire how Jill has this huge list of friends and she is always commenting on everyone! Some times I just can't do it, but do find it exciting to visit everyone virtually at least weekly!
ps wish it was called differently (BLOG to me seems BLAH) or something like that? or like a SCRABLE/BOGGLE GAME there was one right??? ....I guess I was thinking of a more profound name! so much for my soap box!
I too love the blogging bug. If that is what you call it. Maybe I will get the chance to meet you ladies one day. In the meantime, I love to read your posts. Thanks for sharing!
Very well said, Michelle. I've always felt that writing is such a wonderful way to articulate feelings -- feelings you sometimes don't even know you have.
This is something that you would never experience in a neighborhood or ward.
I love what a deep thinker you are Michelle!! I had not thought about this and yet, how very true!! I am SO guilty of pre-judging. Will Kristi forgive me if I use her as my example? In a ward, I think I would have avoided her enthusiasm, extreme talent and love of traditions because they are all things I want and don't have. But here, I feel SO blessed every time she shares and it motivates me! I hope it carries over and I will be less quick to judge!
I love the feeling of being connected to people I already know and love, and additionally, connecting with new friends. I feel sort of like an outsider looking in, but it is fun to be a part of a blogging "family!"
I know I would be friends with all of you if you lived down the street from me. I know because I see what you enjoy, and even if you are shy and quite. My husband laughs that I am the talkative one in the group. He tells me that I always seem to find the quitest person in the room, and sit with them and talk, and by the end of the night they are laughing and talking as much as I. I don't know if that is a compliment to me or them. I feel like I have a whole bunch of pen pals. You know the type you love for them, and who cares what they look like. I love reading your posts, and really cannot wait to meet you and Jill. I only hope I don't disappoint, and you never READ me again.
It is a friendship shortcut--and one that I'm really gratefeul for. I have a hard time moving from surface details to more meaningful interactions with people. I don't mean to be distant. Nobody believes me when I say it, but I'm shy. I always feel like I don't have anything to say. Blogging has been a great way to move beyond that major hurdle. Thanks for articulating much more thoroughly what I wanted to say! You're right on.
You picked the perfect words for this post. I don't consider myself shy in most situations, if anything I am overbearing, but I do have a hard time connecting with other women. I have learned that first impressions aren't always what they seem, and sometimes I wonder what so-and-so would blog about or that I wish someone would have a blog so I could get to know them better faster. Blogging has been somewhat life changing for me and I do feel like it is a friendship shortcut that I am happy to take.
I love that Jill has gotten me turned on to this blogging thing, although not enough to start my own. I feel like a peeping tom, being able to look/read about others good days and bad days and realized that life truely is cyclical. Blogging gives us a certain amount of annonymity and safety, we can say what we want or need to and not necessarily sensor what we say and at the same time have a sense of love and acceptance from those we communicate to or with. Thank you so much for this post Michelle, it has meant a lot to me.
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