Every once in a while, I ask myself why I am writing in a blog. I have pondered it before and will no doubt do so again. In reality very few people read anything I write. A good part of that is because what I write is not as brilliant as I think it is. My humor is not as funny as I think it is. My insights are not as sharp.
Yet, I continue to write. Why?
Because I must. That doesn’t justify all the time I spend on it. Now that I’m retired I have more time but I’m not sure I’m turning out anything more worthwhile than it was before. In reality that is not the key factor. Bloggers like myself write for the same reason that down through history people have written volumes of poetry that no one has ever looked at. There are millions of songs that have been sung in the privacy of the home or in the vain hopes provided by a small venue. Everyone wonders if they will be the next Emily Dickinson.
Everyone is a philosopher, know it or not. If you look at it through the right eyes, that means that everyone is a poet. They are poets who don’t write poetry. Their poetry is expressed in other ways. I would imagine that a sculptor who carved out things that only bring joy to himself, would fit into that category also. You can go to craft fairs and look at the product of this enthusiasm. You can visit art studios and see what some people think of as art. Who am I to argue? I write things that I would I think are worth reading.
I think everyone who writes has this fantasy that some future archaeologists dig up with what they have written, and develop a theory of civilization based on their hangups. Consider it our kind of science fiction. It may be fiction, but it’s our fiction.
On the positive side, it is a personal discipline that is good for me. It helps me to keep my mind sharp. It forces me to pay attention to the world around me and to think critically about what I see.
I guess most of them are selfish motives, but they are selfish motives that don’t do you any damage, I hope. That is, unless you disagree with me.
homo unius libri
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Opus 2024-427: Another Chapter
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I am thankful that you write. Every morning I begin by checking the weather. Then I click on your blog. Why? I am very old. It is so easy to spend my day making myself more comfortable. You help me keep my focus on the external as well as the internal. You make me THINK. That's not an easy task. God Bless, Julia
ReplyDeleteNow that is a gracious thing to say. I am on the verge of "very old" and what a blessing it is to look back from yesterday to 50 years ago and be thankful. I think us old people have a lot to share with the younger ones. I trust you will share your wisdom with those around you.
DeleteGrace and peace
I am a preacher at a church of 300 in Missouri and what you write has been a blessing to me and hopefully to others. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletePumice to Anonymous,
DeleteThank you. God bless you as you proclaim truth every week. May your study be blessed and your courage unabated.
Grace and peace