To celebrate Express Yourself 4Him’s one year anniversary, I have created my first top ten list. Similar to a David Letterman countdown from 10-1, I will examine what expires me each morning to get up and write. May this list inspire a new generation of bloggers.
10) Blogging provides writers with a historical time line of their life. You can go back to any day in a previous year to review what you were thinking, what happened in the world on that day and what you learned about life.
9) Blogging connects your opinion with other like minded people. Often, people share similar beliefs, but they don’t have the time to voice their opinions. Thus, blogging affirms that other people share similar convictions with you.
8) Blogging gives you an opportunity to share what’s on your heart. The fast pace of life on the East Coast makes it tough to slow down. Blogging provides an avenue to share what your heart is touched by and relax daily for a little while.
7) Blogging creates networking opportunities through E-Traffic. As individuals comment on pieces you write, I have been able to visit their blogs, join their sites and begin corresponding with people who share common values. In particular, I have been blessed by TR&B SHOCKLEY’S, It’s a God Thing, Mere Inkling, Morning Story & Dilbert and Candy Coated Reality in 2012. Thanks for writing!
6) Blogging helps individuals verbalize their worldview through words. In a world filled with chaos, its vital for people to discern what’s really going on, articulate their beliefs and help others understand the American culture.
5) Blogging offers an arena for instant feedback. After a slow start, I have received nearly 250 approved comments this past year, one in German that I had my wife translate. Besides hearing from complete strangers, Word Press keeps track of your most popular blogs along with each individual message.
4) Blogging instills a discipline for writing. If you are able to do what you love without pay, then this is a sign that writing may be something you want to pursue. However, even during cases of writer’s block, blogging forces you to piece together a blog worthy of reading.
3) Blogging presents you with a stage to get noticed. Since I began last February, I have had 2 people from Hollywood comment on my blog. While it’s a long shot, I am holding out hope for my screen writing of Express Yourself.
2) Blogging serves as a vehicle for healing. If I didn’t lose my teaching position of 10 years last January, I would probably not have a Facebook account or Word Press blog. However, as I have endured the anguish, disappointment and frustration of unemployment, God has used writing as a vessel for healing.
1) Blogging satisfies and soothes your soul. The sense of accomplishment I receive from writing blogs is amazing. Even when I don’t gain any attention from what I believe to be a great blog, I feel as if by addressing specific topics I am fulfilling God’s will for my life on that particular day.
Thanks for all of you who supported Express Yourself 4Him in 2012!
by Jay Mankus
