Remarkable Bloggers©

Respecting The Blog

Part 9 of the Series Remarkable Bloggers©

There are days when I think of blogging as simply an addiction. A very peculiar, almost zen-like addiction.

And then there are those other times when I read something, or see a picture, or share a story, or watch a video and the power of this medium hits me like a slap upside the head: it gives me the power to make connections, to share our common humanity, to express our creativity, to give us a voice, diverse though it may be. I also twitter, which has been called micro blogging, with some regularity.

I had one of those moments last week when I watched this video from Glenda Watson Hyatt.  It’s less than 3 minutes on how WordPress (and blogging) has changed her life. Please take a few minutes and watch. If you’ve been struggling with your blog, wondering about traffic, analytics and monetizing, or just generally thinking of giving up the whole idea of blogging. I think it will change your views on so many things, but especially the power of blogging.

Watching it got me thinking about how lucky we are to have this medium at our fingertips (literally). We have the ability to instantly share our thoughts, feelings, insights and encouragements. We should both respect its power and demonstrate our respect for it.

What do I mean by showing respect?

• taking responsibility for what we write online
  
• digging deep to share things that are of value, that will make a difference, to us and to others (takes time, worth the effort)
  
• making the time to support and encourage the work of others, through comments, links and social media and sharing links and resources that are good quality, that we’ve tested for relevance and accuracy
• respecting the viewpoints of others, and writing, reading and commenting with that in mind (Remember the Golden Rule)
• explaining how it works to other people, and encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of blogging. (Melanie does a great job of this!)
  
• continually seeking  ways to improve and enchance the way we work online

So, tell me. What does respecting the power of blogging mean to you? How has blogging changed your life?

Something Special This Way Comes

 

“Inspiration, expectation, exasperation, concentration and wit.” Toss those ingredients into the industrial strength wordsmiths blender that is, Barking Mad, and you have this month’s Remarkable Blogger©.

One dog, two cats, three teens, one toddler, one Brit and one all American author make for some of the most hilarious posts you could ask for. Add a couple of extremely large spiders and well, just go read for yourself.

I found this blog a few months ago, while searching for new writers. And though it was her husband’s post that pulled at my heart-strings, as I’ve come to know Auds, I’ve realized the beauty and the stripped bare honesty of the person that she is. Her blogging roots run deep as she details her early experiences with the craft. And like most of us, her baptism was born of necessity to keep far away family and friends in the loop. (Just happened they were an ocean away)

I first discovered blogging about eight years ago when there wasn’t much of a “community” to speak of.  It was pretty prehistoric back then, but I kept it in mind as a means to express myself.  It wasn’t until the spring of 2005 when we discovered we were expecting our own little AmeriBrit baby that I decided to publicly publish my thoughts as I went through the pregnancy.  My hubby is from the UK and at the time we were going through the immigration process to get his Permanent Residence Card and he was there and I was here.  We were flying back and forth across the pond every six weeks or so, selling the house over there (originally after we married in ‘03 I immigrated over there but we decided to return to the states for various reasons) and blogging was a means to keep families on both sides of the pond up to date on the pregnancy.  The hubby had also just lost his dad and I wanted to make sure I journaled every single thing I could for the baby.  Besides, I knew once she got here, that I’d be crap at keeping her baby book updated and our initial blog, AmeriBrit Baby, was the ultimate “baby book” for me.  Add to that the fact we almost lost her when she decided to make an unscheduled early appearance, it was a Godsend to be able to update west coast family and Europe family via the net, as well as friends, and others who were concerned.

Never shy about what gets next to her be it, spiders or dogs , or neighbors who whistle too early in the day; Auds gave me the 411 on what her biggest peeves

…this notion of exclusionary cliques and groups of bloggers who are perceived as seeing themselves as better than the rest.  I’ve never experienced that and from my own experience, I’ve been embraced by the very women that unfairly get called out as being in the center of these mythical cliques.  Ask me again tomorrow what my biggest social media pet peeve is and it might very well be the fact that Twitter is a huge time suck and I’m addicted!

and addictions are when it comes to blogging.

…I’d have to say Twitter.  I got rid of my blog reader and between my blog roll, bookmarks, and the folks that post blog updates to Twitter, it’s how I stay on top of new stuff.  Plus I love the back and forth banter.

I asked Auds who she reads when she’s not reading the Bird or Twittering about the Casa. While her blogroll is extensive and I’m ultra sure her bookmark list must be off the map, true to her style, her immediate answer was heartfelt.

Even though I’ve been publicly blogging for more than three years now, I’ve only been aware of the awesome “community” of bloggers and writers for just under two.  But since day one I have always read I am Bossy.   Even on days like yesterday when all I want to do is crawl into bed and not do anything except dissolve into the mattress, I ALWAYS READ BOSSY.   Her style is completely her own and she never fails to put a smile on my face.  I think part of her charm is the fact that she writes in third person, her artwork is unique and who could not help but fall in love with her devotional to John Cusack.  Why do I think other’s should read her?  Well, one might fall into the depths of a deep depression after watching the evening news, or reading the paper…go and read Bossy, you can’t help but laugh and forget yourself and the world for a few minutes.

Defining moments in our blogs are usually hard for us to pinpoint. While our readers can generally take the pulse of a blog post immediately, its often difficult as authors to get a handle on it. Nonetheless, I went to Auds, looking for her defining blog post. I think you’ll all agree, the sheer transparency in her writing and her ability to convey what’s on her mind and in her heart, though not a definition in total of her, certainly shows her depth of compassion, of hope, and promise for healing.

This is difficult for me because things change from one day to the next around here.  I think everyone who reads the blog knows that right now I’m having a bit of a tough time but I really hope that isn’t something that “defines” me.    I am tempted to say “I am THAT Mom“  is defining…but really, it’s only a part of me.   However, having said that, I think that post, if we’re being singular, has to be it because I know it’s possible to make something out of being “THAT Mom.”  I’ve spent the last eighteen years trying to define myself after the loss of a child.  It IS possible and I’m proof of that.

Not just a Remarkable Blogger©, a Remarkable mother, wife, daughter and writer. Pop over and give her a read. Then just try and tell me you don’t agree! And don’t forget to tell her congratulations!

Wordle courtesy of Wordle.net

The Power of Intention

Part 7 in the Remarkable Bloggers© Series

Finding a blog for this issue of Remarkable Bloggers© turned into a chore. In fact, I’d all but given up on finding anything really remarkable to write about. Technology blogs, humor blogs, writing blogs, marketing blogs. I searched and searched. Mommy blogs, whines, pictures of kids with too much information. Still nothing “remarkable”. I stewed in my own juices and kept on reading. And then…what I assumed was just another “mommy blog” popped into my screen. I read, A Letter, Re-written.then I read more and more. I got chicken skin. This could be the next Remarkable Blogger©. As I continued to read this blog, I became enamored with this blogger. Her compassion, her strength, her intention to care, her utterly clear outlook on life (despite a wild turn of events), and her from the gut writing all blend to make a Remarkable Blog©. This one is a MUST READ.

When I emailed the Jenn, the author of Serving The Queens, I expected a diatribe about a tough life and tougher yet circumstances. Again, I was surprised.

Back in the day, I used to write about things that touched me and email them, or (egads!) snail mail them to family and friends. One day, someone said to me, “You should start a blog”. “What is this blog thing that you speak of,” asked I, and so it began. I was surprised and humbled when people began stumbling upon it and reading me regularly.

I’ve been taken aback a few times by mean comments or emails with critical messages, from what kind of mother am I to not commenting on other blogs. And I struggle now with people that know me reading my blog, later using the words that I write against me. (If you don’t like it, don’t read it.)

But, Jenn says life keeps her blogging.

writing is my outlet, my expression; my Prozac, I suppose.

While she’d rather focus on the commonality of the writers in her niche and the ties that bind them, Serving The Queens is truly a stellar example of blogging. When asked who she’d most like to meet and have guest post on her blog, her answer was clear.

You know, actually, I’d just love to meet some of my fellow bloggers — Slouching Mom, Lawyer Mama, The Wink — some of the people that inspire me so often and that I wish I could just wrap my arms around.

So, while you’re thinking that those “rockstar” mommy bloggers who rant about their “rockstar” lives and detail much more than you need to know are all there is in this vast niche called “Mommy Blogging”, think again. And remember what happens when you ass-u-me.

Ning Rings The Bell For Freedom

This week’s Remarkable Blogger© is a unique fellow. While requests from Bird On A Wire for an interview went unanswered, we did discover a few tidbits about David at MoneyNing.com.

David tells us why he’s driven to be wealthy. From a middle class family who immigrated to Canada, without his father (who was afraid he couldn’t secure employment), in the late 80’s; David talks of his mother going without “anything that was not a necessity for 1487 straight days”. His father, in those days was an Engineer by training, and opted to take an Operations Specialist position to better his salary and improve his family’s way of life. Now, here in the states when we think of Engineers, we think of highly paid specialists in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical fields. Things in Hong Kong just weren’t that way.

While David apparently missed out on time with his Dad growing up, he learned to savor what time he had with him and learn from the man a great deal about what it means to be a husband and a father.

Money Ning, the blog and the man, have a few unique goals.

I have decided to be as wealthy as I can be. My short to-do list includes:

• Earn as much as I can.
• Save as much as I can, as early as I can.
• Learn as much as I can on growing my nest egg and how to apply it.

This blog allows me to do all three in some way.

Regular posts from David include tips on personal finance, frugal living, personal happiness, and a map of his progress to self made wealth. I almost always find a tip in his posts that helps me through my day. David also sponsors some of the best contests in the personal finance realm. He recently married the love of his life and celebrated on his blog by giving away $1500. Money Ning is more than the sum of its parts and definitely worth adding to your daily reader.

Thanks David, for being a Remarkable Blogger© ! From our view, you’re well on your way to personal financial freedom! Keep on ringing that bell!

Do you know a Remarkable Blogger©? Are you a Remarkable Blogger©? Use our contact form and let us know who you’d nominate for our next feature.

Updates From Remarkable Bloggers©

Nate reminds us what its all about. Confessions Of A CF Husband: (Bump) Not Sad

Nathan is a prolific blogger, so if you want to keep up, book mark this page.

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