Sweating to the Oldies--Getting Back to Blogging Basics

"Is your blog on hiatus?"

That's the question that was asked of me recently. To be honest, I didn't intend to not write for such an extended period. But life is strange that way. A new job, coupled with changing family responsibilities as well as a new (and now defunct) mentoring project, made it so that several months had past since my last blog post. So yes, I guess it was in hiatus as I adjusted to the changes in my life.

So here I sit now, getting back in the game and realizing very quickly that I'm out of shape, blogging-wise. I have some ideas I want to explore, but am not confident about my ability to flesh them out in a meaningful way. Realigning my priorities is the first step in getting back. Modifying my behaviors is essential. I recently re-learned this lesson--if your actions don't reflect your beliefs you will eventually fail. In the short term I'll be adjusting my schedule in order to sit down and focus. It also requires that I be disciplined. In short, I'll have to treat myself as I treat my kids, as well-meaning but easily distracted human beings still learning the ways of supposedly smarter and responsible adults. 

Also, there's the question that I struggled with even when I was writing more frequently which is, "Why should anyone care?" Writing is a bit of a lonely art. Unless you've gained a large and/or vocal following, it's easy to post work that doesn't (at least on the surface) generate interest. I'd be a liar if I said I only wrote for myself and didn't pay attention to my blog traffic. And I enjoy comments. That to me is where I get the most value from writing--that back and forth discussion that a blog post generates, which hopefully leads into insight (growth on a particular subject), opportunity (to collaborate or create with others), or enrichment (making someone's day after reading my work). I'll need to battle through that if I want to develop a better and more sustainable writing career.

So readers, I'm back. Be patient with me as I get up and get back into the swing of things here. Expect some  new and different things to emerge from this blog, while remaining true to that which keeps you coming here in the first place. I will do my best to be consistent, thoughtful, somewhat humorous, and topical. If there's something you would like to see me talk about feel free to contact me and we'll try to make it happen.

Oh man, that was exhausting. I need a nap...