I don’t want to write this post. Like really, really don’t want to write it.
Not because I don’t think it’s important or because it hasn’t been on my mind. But because I don’t like what it makes me acknowledge about myself. I like to pretend, even to myself, that I have my priorities perfectly in line at all times.
A couple of days ago, I was blessed to be a part of an email exchange with some blogging friends about how much time we spend on this hobby/job/obsession of ours and what that says about what we value.
I have a few confessions to make:
- I think about my blog A LOT.
- I check my stats often. Very often.
- I covet your comments.
- I would love to be a blogging starlet.
So what’s wrong with all of that? I guess the answer is everything and nothing.
There are so many good things about blogging. For me, the creative outlet has been so valuable. So has the opportunity to add a small amount of income to our family. More than anything, the connections and real friendships that I’ve developed are priceless. I know that God has used my blog for my own good and I believe for the good of some other people.
But, to paraphrase something written by a friend, there is a great danger in blogging especially for anyone who thrives on success and creativity. The danger is that we cannot differentiate between the good that comes from creating, connecting and providing and the evil that comes from being pulled away from the family and into a cycle of NEEDING to succeed for our own egos.
There is a powerful push and pull between the good and bad. I believe that applies to anything that has the power to pull us away from what should be our primary priorities, whatever those happen to be.
Does this mean anything for A Soft Place to Land? Yes and no. I love connecting with all of you here, so I don’t have any plans to change that. You probably won’t even notice a difference, but my heart is changing a bit. My role as wife and mother needs to become my central focus again.
So let’s talk. How do you keep your priorities in line when there are good things that threaten to pull you away? I’ll be checking in on the comments section today and I’d love for us to all have a big ole conversation there.
Do you want to read some more?
Carlos from Ragamuffin Soul is a blogging rockstar who is taking a step back. His video rocked my socks.
Emily from Chatting at the Sky puts things in perspective as only she can.
Lisa from Take 90 West writes about this too.
So does Megan from Fried Okra
P.S You can read more of my Building a Soft Place to Land series by clicking here.
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I love your post. You are NOT alone.
For Lent, I gave up blogging, but I still have managed to publish a few.
I love blogging because I’m a stay at home mom, and I don’t have a huge social life.
This is a great outlet, but let me tell you. The struggle is constant.
I’m always checking to see if someone left me a comment.
I like that i go back and read my blog. It serves as a diary for me, but then again, I really feel the need to just ‘delete’ it because the temptation is always there.
I don’t remember the last time was on top of my house….it’s insane.
It has to stop.
But I sure will miss it.
BRAVO Kimba…I do not know you but this EXCELLENT POST & your GREAT UNPLUG IDEA…drew me here!
Officially, I'm not here! I declared a BLOG FAST for these 40 days and this is in violation, which makes my 3rd one…not bad as
I'm nearing the end! Not counting reading in Google Reader.
You are so right! And many of your commenters have given good feedback. I looked around while I was here since I'm already violating my own challenge.
I certainly can tell why you have 777 followers. Since that was such a perfect number, I did not join but you can be sure once my blog fast is done, I will be visiting more often.
Actually, checking our priorities and getting them in line is the best take home from all of this!
I believe that this is definitely
a challenge we ALL need to do more frequently. For me, Good Friday, would be the perfect day for me to be UNPLUGGED! And a good ending to
my BLOG FAST…to stay away from all…not just my blogs but emails, etc….I do not have Blackberry or phone or other to surrender but if I "unplug" and not connect on line at all, I truly will realize the importance Christ is to me that day!
So I'm commenting to THANK YOU for your boldness & declaring this challenge though I missed it because this is the day after…
I will do…and you might consider doing a Mr. Linky & having others sign up with you! When I return to blogging, I would like to share this at my post & refer to here.
If that would be alright with you?
I'd like to post your button but
the date is on it and I just think
it should be something we do every so often & then as you ask in the challenge post about it! It's your great idea so I will not steal it, but hope that you will allow me to write about this & share. Perhaps, you can make this a regular feature. I'm not sure about weekly but maybe monthly. Thanks for sharing & I'm sure that you are a good mother and wife! It's just getting "blogging" back in its right place of priorities!
I really can't wait to see when everyone shares. May it be a very productive Monday!
I just started blogging 2 weeks ago and I already feel exactly what you are talking about. I find myself thinking about my next post even before I post the current one! ahh When does it become an obsession?
I really want this blogging thing to glorify God not take me away from God! That's tough, I think I'll have to remind myself of that everyday.
I LOVE being creative and think blogging is a great way to have an excuse to do so but definitely not at the expense of my relationship with the Lord or my husband!
Thanks for opening a dialogue about it. I didn't know so many people were feeling the same way! I looove your blog too!!
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