I've been giving some more thought to various forms of community building and the title phrase describes how community was formed in my world, prior to *TBC.
There was something thirstily delicious about having a common enemy, whether it was political, spiritual or intellectual, that bonded us to each other. The only trouble with that method is that as soon as the enemy disappears, so does the community.
Yesterday, I was listening to CNN and Tom DeLay came on to say that he has started a blog. The purpose of the blog is to "compete" with other blogs, to gain more readers, to gain more influence, than some of the political blogs that already exist.
"Why" was my natural question. Why does it have to be "better" or "more powerful"? Why can't it be informative and provide people with something to think about, some new information, something worthwhile, simply because its worthwhile. No further objective.
Prior to *TBC, I wasn't exactly competitive... but I was always looking for signs of acceptance. It was an ego thing. Neither is particularly healthy and diminished my ability to simply be... to enjoy... to love others simply.
Expressing our internal spiritual life or growth in and with external actions has a great deal of importance. I don't need to set up dichotomies that separate. I prefer the Shinto 3-lobed tomoe and its symbolism to the dual yin-yang, completely different than the either/or interpretations in western culture. My perspective is more on how I can integrate all of the parts into a life, self, way of expressing and living that integrity.
It got me to think about what I'm doing here. Do I do this for readers? You betcha. Do I do it for interaction? You betcha. Do I notice when a topic isn't drawing many readers? You betcha. I do this for interaction. Do I do it for ego? No. I have no need to "write for myself". I have a journal for that. I have a brain with a reasonable amount of RAM. It stores a fair amount of information, although certainly not as much as it did ten or fifteen years ago.
Finally though, two things stand out for me as worthy of respect in any venue, including this one. One is a person's capacity for compassion. Second on that list would be anyone whose words and actions match up.
As a storyteller, I know that words can portray any sort of illusion. But anyone who can speak, and we see those words portrayed in their actions, is I believe deserving of respect.
I think the two however have to work together.
So I had to set a boundary or two on this. Will I compromise what I write here for readers? Yes. In this respect only: If it seems that I prattle on about something that is of interest to no one, I will stop writing on that topic. Am I willing to be someone else to attract readers? Hell, no!
The day this becomes a "competition" with anyone, for any reason, it will be time to stop. There is no need to contribute to the popularity contest mentality, to be "better than" or "more powerful". The day it becomes apparent that I no longer have a viable readership, I will give thanks to all who passed through and stop. The reason at that point would be because my voice would no longer have relevance ~ or better stated perhaps would be that the ideas I express no longer have relevance in this setting. If I exhaust the pool of ideas, it's time to stop. If I am no longer provoking thought, laughter or interest, it's time to turn off the lights and go home.
I speak my truth. And I hope that's good enough.
Peace to all ~
~Chani
(*TBC - Thai By Choice)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Enemy of my enemy is my friend...
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11 comments:
Sounds almost like a vow. Maybe it should be.
I vow not to continue on after the spirit ceases to move me. i vow not to curtail myself in order to sell ads or gain your approval.
I like it!
and that is why I read your blog.
if you look at the yin-yang symbol it doesn't have to do with dualism at all -- there's a speck
of white in the black part and a speck of black in the white part, and the two "sides" flow into each other. part of my journey in this last year has been involved with finding the light in the dark, which isn't precisely light, but its own thing. it has to do with discovering the wisdom and nourishment there is to be found in the painful, difficult parts of life.
Writing is good whatever your reasons (well usually). Unlike you, I don't write if there's no PUBLISH button to hit. I've tried journalling several times, but I simply don't keep at it. This way I do, or have for several years.
Tom DeLay and others like him aren't blogging. They're merely posting ghost-written and consultant designed pages on the Web to keep others from breathing "their" air. You seem to be encouraging air sharing (even my own sometimes stale-smelling air).
"To thine own self be true" then share with others. This would be you.
Your truth Chani , helps sustain my own truth. I read everyday and hope to do so for a long time!
It is. It's more than good enough. Thank you, Chani.
Heart in San Francisco
(Blogger problem.)
In answer to your question, I use Photoshop CS2, but the key is an electronic mouse pad and pen that lets me actually draw and paint. And if mistakes occur, which they do often, I simply "undo". Good feature!
I think you are totally right on. I try not to get wrapped up in the number of comments or traffic I get, it's how I feel about my writing that matters most. Blogging is a way to community but that composition can vary greatly, depending on authenticity.
As times goes on, I've noticed I care more about the individual bloggers I read than their actual posts. It's a deeper connection that words on a page.
KC
Keep speaking the truth, sister.
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