"Tell what is yours to tell..."
When I think about exposing my thoughts in a public space, such as this, sometimes it think I need to reveal a deep wisdom or great Truth or revelation because that is what others' blogs have done for me, but I don't have remarkable thoughts to spur deeperer thinking, critical analysis, or epiphanies. The idea that states when your pen greets the paper it needs to really say something is what keeps me restricted by fear of inadequacy, as if to say Hannah, whatever it is you're thinking isn't good enough. That voice is familiar and convincing; it tells me public spaces are precarious places, that if I engage I'm willingly allowing people to dismiss, argue with, negatively critique, and fashion comments in a frustrated, abrasive, and argumentative tone that would cut at what I've said (which is true, but that's okay because it doesn't effect what it once did...).
Public discourse is a tricky matter, especially when you're using it for personal purposes. However, I cherish discussion, respectful conflict, and willing conversations... so here I go, stepping onto the diving board of courage, taking a few uncertain bounces, and plunging into what I'm afraid will be a concrete swimming pool.
(for me) Writing is an aged process of revision, renewal, and reworking/rewording, yet a forum like this shatters that system. The structure and formating of blogs is different from what I'm accustomed to, here I'll need to write in shorter paragraphs and separate thoughts by posts, white spaces, and visuals. It will take me awhile to adjust to this change, so please stick with me and excuse my failed efforts. I'm slightly terrified, but I think this is what I need. I want to share, aid creative ventures, open discussion, and casually invite others into my stumbling attempts of living an intentional, authentic life.
With all that being said, I imagine this being an evolving commentary on a myriad of topics... having roots in communities I'm involved with, God, a recent or past educational experience, random expression, or an event/topic/idea/thought that's trapped in me (yes, I believe that list is broad enough to include almost everything;).
Please consider this an invitation to engage with the conversation and interact with what I'm saying. I'm finally stepping out of the security and privacy of my brain and into the public, so let's build upon, dissect, challenge, and encourage each other's ideas!
Thanks for joining me here and I hope you will accept my invitation :]
This is too funny... you sound just like me about three months ago when my teacher told me we had to do a blog for class. I had always written what I was thinking in my notebook but nobody ever read it. I've kinda always wanted people to though, not because I thought it was great insightful stuff, but because I know that I've been inspired in life because of reading small things/ideas from other people. And also because I feel like if you keep in what you are thinking and only share it with friends, you're not doing enough. Writing is such a powerful tool and you can use it to reach masses of people and maybe God wants you to share what He's teaching you. The greatest freedom I have felt in writing is that at the end of the day it doesn't matter what people think of what I say and if they don't like it, there's probably something that called them out in it, especially when it is about needing to change a lifestyle. Feel free to just write on anything without caring what people think. When you do that, you'll write stuff that can change lives.