Good morning! I’m blogging on a Saturday. Crazy, I know! I don’t remember the last time I blogged on a Saturday. I really wanted to sleep in this morning. I enjoyed not setting an alarm clock, but of course, I didn’t sleep much past my usual time. I woke up around the time I’d be heading off to work. I started having a lot of back pain – I know that I really need a new mattress. Any suggestions, friends?
I have my vegetarian sausage biscuits in the oven and my coffee brewing. I have a lot of things I want to work on today before Nick gets in town – I need to clean my room. I need to write a lot of blog posts for this inspired idea I have for April. I need to go on a long bike ride to get ready for my Tour de Cure. There are probably a few other things I’d like to get done. Right now though, I’d like to talk about when we get our feelings hurt and what that means for us and how we can respond. The truth is, there is something I’ve been struggling with in blogging specifically. I’m not going to provide a lot of details because I, in turn, wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable or hurt anyone’s feelings, but the truth is…. I’m hurt. I’m not hurt by just one blogger, I’m hurt by a few bloggers. They probably don’t even know that my feelings are hurt and that’s okay. It wouldn’t resolve any issues if they did.
But how do I move past this and continue to enjoy blogging?
First of all, I know the truth is that I’ve hurt a blogger at some point or another. I’m sure I’ve said something that rubbed someone the wrong way or I didn’t include them when I should have. Whatever the reason may be, I know I’ve been the one to hurt another person before. This fact doesn’t make my hurt go away though.
One thing I need to realize is WHY I blog. Do I blog for others or do I blog for myself? I like to believe that I blog for myself, but we, as bloggers, all know that somewhere down the road that’s not the case. We end up blogging for others. That’s not a terrible thing, but it puts our emotions more at risk. When we’re concerned about others involvement and we don’t get the response we would like, then we get hurt. In my case, I feel that others are not being conscious of blogging etiquette. Blogging etiquette is important and it’s what keeps blogging fun and enjoyable for all those we blog with. I found this post from Jennifer @ Dancing in the Rain that I thought was spot on. Confessions of a Blogger: The Etiquette Edition. There are just things that I find to be common courtesy and it baffles me that others wouldn’t think the same thing. We’re all different though and our minds work differently.
As I battle with my emotions during this time because I’m not completely happy with how certain things have transpired, I searched for some verses to help me along the way. I have no idea if any of you are experiencing some of the hurts I am when it comes to blogging, maybe you’re hurting in other areas of life, but hopefully these verses can be encouraging to you as they are to me. The truth of the matter is: I can’t say anything to these bloggers – there would be no point in my opinion. All I can do is be an adult about it, share my thoughts and opinions here on my own blog, and move on. I cannot be defined by what others do. I can continue to practice blogging etiquette myself because I know that’s how I would like to be treated.
Do you have any thoughts on this subject? Anything you’re experiencing with blogging that deals with the hurt that can come along with it as well as the lack of blogging etiquette from other bloggers you see?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” – Romans 5:3-5
I’m working on my own heart – letting it be free of the pain. Finding peace and rest in the Lord. I’m trying to direct myself off of the fact that others may be hurting me and try to respond with “What can I continue to do through blogging that will help, encourage, & inspire others?” Just like everything else in life, blogging will never be perfect. There will always be people who rub me the wrong way, there will always be people who hurt me, intentional or not. That’s vice versa – I have no doubt, I will in turn affect some one else in this way too. I hope that’s not the case, but I know I’m human and I have struggles of my own.
How do you choose to combat the hurt that can come with blogging? How do you choose to approach situations where blogging etiquette is not being used? I’d love your thoughts & opinions!
Have a wonderful Saturday and weekend, my friends! Regardless of the pain, blogging will continue to be something that encourages and inspires me. The friendships I’ve made are amazing and I wouldn’t give those up for anything!