My blog will be moving soon, but I am fairly confident that I will get to keep the name. Until I get that figured out, I'm going to start writing a few blog entries anyhow. I absolutely love reading and I have always not only enjoyed- but needed to write.
In free-style writing it's sometimes difficult for me to categorize my entries especially when I've been out of the habit of writing. Once I move my blog, I intend to have categories to help solve this problem. I once heard that if you plan to do something, one way to keep yourself accountable is by telling others. Those you chose to tell will ask on ocassion how things are going, and this helps to keeping you committed. I often employ this method with other tasks, but this will be a first for a writing venture.
The primary goal of my blog is to connect others through the written word. In short, I like to help people. I also enjoy helping other people help people. Inquisitive and compassionate are two words that describe me well. The last 4 1/2 months I have been completing a self inventory of sorts to determine my motivation for a multitude of things I do or don't do. I have been analyzing what "drives" me to speak up or remain silent. It has not been easy to look within myself and pinpoint areas that I need to change. But is has been completely necessary and very healing and I've had some help along the way, especially for identifying the self-made blind spots that I wasn't aware existed.
It isn't easy looking over yourself through an imaginary microscope to target areas that will need fixing. I also gained insight and wisdom to things that aren't broken within me. The constants. Three core principles that have remained steady when I look back are my faith, my love for family, and my desire to help others. I don't see these core principles ever changing as they have been ever present in my life since childhood. I am claiming those as my life values. Each of them have evolved over the years. Each have them have also been neglected in one way or another at various times. However, they have never completely disappeared. I feel secure and serene knowing that as much chaos that occurs in our world and in each of our lives - these ARE the things that never go completely away.
My faith grows stronger in each trial that I face (and not to brag) but I've faced many obstacles and events that have turned my world inside out and upside down. This is not shared lightly, though as a preface I often use off colored humor that may make it seem as such. Certainly, it does not negate the millions of grace filled, joyful, and unforgettable moments that I have experienced. There will indeed be a blogging category for faith. Some will be Simple and others more deep. All will aim to be motivational and most importantly truthful- with no need for embellishment. All of the Glory given to God ( in whom my faith is based). I am a Christian, and as far as I know, I was born that way. I have never departed from it although I've gotten lost many times. I always end back up with a bible in my hand , prayers in my heart, and a desire to be used by God.
I come from a big family that just keeps g r o w i n g. I love my nuclear family more than I ever imagined possible. My heart just continues to grow. I am very happily married and so proud to have my life partner helping me parent our three nearly grown, and dynamic, soul-filled children. We have a dog that likes to eat snowballs, and a hedgehog that only likes shiny bows not dull ones. Since I come from a big family, being a sister and an aunt are integral components that make me- "me". I can't seperate myself from being wife, mom, sister or aunt. They are who I am. What I am aspiring to accomplish through blogs related to or intended for my family is to show others how important and necessary family is, even if ( and especially when) things become difficult.
My intent to utilize my blog to help others is multi- faceted. Health is a major issue to me in so very many ways. The seas of healthcare have never been more difficult to navigate as they are terribly complex and broken. I have two Heath related degrees and plan to incorporate them both here. There are so many things people can do to help themselves get educated and make simple changes to promote well- being. Health, by the way is not the 'absence' of illness or injury. I would hope that somehow I can make a difference, especially in rural communities that have many health disparities and inequities. Increasing health literacy takes much more than using search engines on the Internet.
On a personal level, I will be posting healthy and mostly EASY to prepare and make recipes. My husband and I both love to cook and have made many diet changes to try and exclude over-processed food. Along with that, I have a chronic neuromuscular disease that is auto-immune mediated. It is my wish that in sharing , others connect, find answers, and hope. I can't count the times that people have asked me if I ever feel like asking " why me?" My answer is simple. Chronic, incurable diseases, injuries and accidents happen every single day- " why NOT me?" I struggle daily with some aspect related to my health, and so do those closest to me. But at the end of the day, as it is right now..and in closing - the " thank you" portion of my prayers almost always outweighs my " pleases. My pleases are usually reserved for others.
Melatonin helping for the last week. Restless, but not 100% sleepless Syd
