Testing . . .Testing. . .1…2…3…
Can you hear me? That is the real questions here, isn’t it? Do YOU hear me? Are YOU listening? We are all here typing relentlessly at our keyboards, giving our words a once over and then holding our breath as we click the “Publish” button. WordPress uses its magical powers, casting a spell or hums a tune while happily busy at work. “Beep, Bop, Boop.” Presto! Our words are displayed for the reading pleasure of our followers.
I started blogging after winning a writing contest. Yay!! Yes, I was so excited because it was the first time I was recognized for my writing. They announced me as the winner by using my name and a photograph, but I was very disappointed when they didn’t publish or post what I actually wrote. I felt very unsettled about it all. I kept saying, “I want to be heard, not seen.” It was a big let down, to say the least.
I am now very grateful for this disappointment because it led me here! I can clearly connect the dots of my journey this far in my pursuit and it feels right. I am skipping down the yellow brick road with no evil witch in sight. I set out to be heard and in three in a half months have gained over 350 followers!! I am grateful for each and every person that has committed to following me and most of all for listening!
This is us! Our arms are interlocked as we skip down the yellow brick road to ask the Almighty Oz for something, only to discover we had the power all along.
How did you get here?
Happy Blogging!!
Congrats on your followership- it is well deserved! How did I get here? About seven months ago I decided to start blogging to see if I could produce consistent, quality writing. Friends and family would always say I should be a writer, but as we all know, those who love us will encourage us unconditionally. I came here to see if I had a voice anyone would want to read. What I found was an incredible, wonderful community of writers!
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I love this!! Yes, I WANT to read!! We all want to be heard & I hear you! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Happy writing!!!!
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As I always say, keep on blogging. We all have stories to tell and there is an audience who is willing to read, listen, interact. Onward and upward my friend.
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Thank you so much for your encouraging and supportive words!! Indeed – Onward and Upward!! 🙂 Thank you!
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Coming in loud and clear!
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🙂 Thank you for listening! 🙂 Made my day! 🙂
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aha! Yes I’ve often wondered who is really listening out there. I am 🙂
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Me too! 🙂 and thank you for taking the time to listen – I sincerely appreciate it!!
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Yay! Love this! Honestly, I’ve been blogging for a little over 10 years (I started in college), and then took a long hiatus, and now I’m back. I LOVE being able to write and share and connect with others again.
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Wow!! Thats so cool! I am so glad that you came back to it and we were able to connect!! 🙂 10 years is a LONG time! What an achievement? really!! 🙂 Keep on blogging!! 🙂
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I wish I would have discovered this blogging world long before I did. It has helped me through so much the past couple months. I love the people I have began a bond with (that means you) and look forward to continuing!
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I agree, I wish I would have done it sooner! But I am glad that we got here. . . eventually. You are so sweet – I agree I love the community! I call you all my blogging family bc I share so many of my thoughts and feelings that I don’t with most people I know. Thats funny right? but true! Its easier to write it! 🙂
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I wanted a public platform. 🙂
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Yes!! Me too!! And look at that – we took matters into our own hands and did it!! 🙂
Don’t talk about it – Be about it!! LOL 🙂
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That’s awesome! I kept writing these super long Facebook status updates, then deleting them, thinking it would be spammy to write so goddamn much on Facebook. Essentially.
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Ah yes!! So many times I see people do this and I think – they need a new forum! Its just too much for FB!! Glad you made the move because I have found your blog & I love reading it!! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks! Likewise 🙂
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I loved reading this post! Yes, you’re on and the world is listening. Scary thought, right? When I started blogging a few years ago, I was scared stiff. What if people hate what I have to say? What if I don’t make any sense? But I forged ahead and before I knew it, I had a following. My advice is to keep going, blog about what you love and stay true to yourself. Being authentic is the most important thing as a blogger. 🙂
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Great advice!! Thank you!! I guess we all feel a bit of fear when we divulge a part of us that is personal – I can completely relate! Thank you again for taking the time! 🙂
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Ok, on another topic…who crowns someone a winner of a writing contest, complete with photo and then doesn’t publish their work? I hope you trashed them the first chance you had on your new blog. If not, how’s your chance……:)
How did I get here? I don’t even know how I got here, let alone here. But I’m working on understanding it all. When I do I’ll be sure to comment on more detail.
Really? They didn’t publish you?
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No I don’t trash, not my style! I know shocking right? being from NY and all you thought I would have had a whole rant about it, but no, I am above that and can see it for the gift that it was. (After my friends heard me complain about it for a month straight!) LOL 🙂 Thank you for taking the time!
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Great work and Congratulations!
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Thank you for your support and kind words!! 🙂
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That’s amazing that you have 350 followers in such a short time! I’ve had my blog since November and I have 15 followers. I need to figure out what I’m doing wrong!
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LOL I clearly spend WAAAY too much time blogging! hee hee! I search for blogs to follow under tags – things that i am interested in, check out peoples blogs, if I like I will drop a line and follow. I also look at nominated blogs from awards that people get. 🙂 Oprah says whatever you pay attention to will grow! 🙂
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You go girl! 😀
And wut? No publishing what you wrote? Crazy!
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I know right? It wasn’t a big named writing contest – just at the library, but still!!! It led me here, so its all good now!! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to read! 🙂
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Yep, definitely hear you, loud and clear. And I’m glad that you had that disappointment as well, since you’ve definitely turned that in a very positive direction. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words!! 🙂
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Hai Lisa, I am hearing you … I love to hear from you always … Congrats …. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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oh Thank you!! You are so sweet!!! Likewise 🙂
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Ironically, I came to blogging because I lost a writing contest. Now I’m forced to post at least one article a day for all eternity or the Island will blow up!
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When then I am happy you lost! Lol. Thank you for reading 😁
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Thanks. Being a loser is usually a negative thing, but someone has to protect the Island! 🙂
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Congrats on the quick gain of followers – and the feeling of being heard. So very important! I started blogging last January when I decided to dedicate myself to writing as a full time job. It keeps me honest and puts my butt in the chair even when I don’t have a deadline looming! Plus, it has helped me connect with a wonderful community of writers, parents, and new friends who keep me motivated and happy!
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Thank you for understanding the importance of being HEARD!!! LOL I admire your courage to pursue writing full time – thats awesome and gives people like me hope! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time! 🙂
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Yes, Lisa, hearing you as well! I started blogging because it was demanded in a continuous learning course. I have always loved to write…so back to the roots…even if it’s in a foreign language (challgenging!). And it’s also a great way to share our Canadian experience with family and friends back home.
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I love that you continued to blog even after the course!! 🙂 Glad to connect – Thank you!! 🙂
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We here you 🙂 Congratulations on winning the contest!
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Thank you 🙂
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Great post! Being heard is an inherent need for all of us, especially us writers. The “burn” if you will, for having your face published but not your words has indeed worked as a mighty catalyst for where you are. The book of psalms says “It is good that I have been afflicted.” Why? Because out of that affliction comes this great arousal of power to do and be and develop more. The singer/songwriter Sia hides her face when she performs for this very reason, she wants to be heard not seen. In her words she said, “…I want to be successful not famous.” In response to your question, how did I get here? I got here by a 10 day trip to London and Ireland. The quiet and change of atmosphere opened up a freshness of creativity that I have been molding ever since. I plan to return to Europe for a while longer just to really soak in that quite that evokes new levels of creativity. It was the quiet, the ability to hear past all the things that distract me hear at home, that allowed me to here my creative voice in a new way. I posted about it in greater detail under by About tab on my blog. Here is a link! http://icameforthesoup.com/about/ again, great post 🙂
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Wow!! What an amazing story! I love that the trip gave you a new perspective! Thank you for your kind words and understanding. I knew Sia hid her face but I didn’t know why. I like her so much more now!!!! Thank you again for taking the time – so happy to connect 🙂
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Thank you and you are welcome. 🙂 On Sia, when I read and heard her talk about why she hid her face it made me really respect her all the more. She also made me take a moment and evaluate what is really important. I think as we grow and develop we need to do an “audit” of sorts in that regard.
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