Dear Reader, this Valentine’s Day I want you to know how much I appreciate you reading my Saturday morning blogposts. I wish you a warm Valentines Day, full of love! Thank you for being here!
Today, please stop for a moment and take it in that I appreciate, and not only that, I get something out of you reading my work, even if you’ve never commented. Just the fact that you are on my mailing list makes a difference to me. I pay attention to the number of readers it is sent to, and it was steady for quite a long time. No more, no less. But then, over a series of days, the number decreased by a total of four. I felt a momentary stab of pain, until I remembered that when I unsubscribe from another person’s offering, it’s either because I’m no longer interested in their perfectly good posts or that I just don’t have time to read them anymore.
So, why do I write these posts? And why are you important to me? Let me count the ways!
The first is because at times, I don’t know how I feel about something until I write about it. Whether it is a brief flash of insight or a nagging question that keeps bothering me, I’ve found that the best way to proceed is to write about it.
Then, as soon as I am earnestly sitting in front of my computer screen putting words to these questions, I start wondering what you all might think. Will you agree? Will it be helpful in any way? These questions lead to my second reason for writing: connection. I write to feel connected with others.
I asked my grandson in California why he writes music. At first, I thought I understood him saying it charged his batteries. But when I asked him for more detail, it became clear that wasn’t what he was talking about. He explained it was like when you get up in the morning and have a lot of energy – where do you use it? If you put it into a song, it’s not wasted. The energy has form. It makes something.
In my case, writing takes my questions and thoughts and makes a connection with them.
So having you on my mailing list, whether I hear from you after each post or very rarely, is a connection that I value. Your thoughtful responses when they agree are gratifying. Your responses when you tell me how you think about the issue in different words enrich me. Your affirmations give me a boost. When you confide that you feel the same way, I don’t feel alone.
By opening my post weekly, you are giving me a Valentine. Thank you. I hope you find beauty in the world and nourishing relationships today and every day.
IMAGE: Coming soon – my adventure with phtographer. This is a sample.
