I was recently challenged to consider the possibility that blogging is nothing more than a self-indulgent waste of time.
There are already far too many words out there. Why would anyone bother adding to the verbiage crashing around in cyberspace? Is it not more important to close your laptop and get out there and DO something that will actually benefit the world? Why waste your time with all these ideas that simply pamper to people who want to fritter away their lives amusing themselves playing little intellectual head games?
They are good questions.
What do I think I am doing typing away here endlessly on this little keyboard?
There are at least four things I think blogging is at its best:
1. Blogging is spiritual practice.
Blogging trains me in paying attention to my life. I look more carefully at the world because I am always on the lookout for something that feels as if it might generate the energy for a post.
It is so easy to go through life without noticing. When I blog, I notice things I might otherwise allow to pass by in a blur. Paying attention is profound spiritual practice. I honour life when I pay attention. I notice depth and connection when I look carefully at the world and my life in the world. Blogging is a personally enriching practice in my life.
2. Blogging is conversation.
Our world is starved for places where people can speak to one another with respect and openness about profound and important issues. When I blog I hope to stimulate questions rather than demand answers.
No doubt I often tip over into the polemics that are the perennial peril of the preacher. But, when I am doing what I intend here, I am opening doors and windows, rather than slamming them shut.
I have been tremendously gratified at some of the conversation that has occurred in the comments section of this blog. It feels to me that there have been moments when readers, speaking to one another, have been traversing new and unexplored territory in their inner lives. These are moments that make blogging seem worthwhile.
3. Blogging is connection.
Conversations take place on blogs that would be impossible without this technology. Even in the little blog world occupied by www.inaspaciousplace.wordpress.com , encounters have taken place across the continent and around the world.
Some people might argue that these contacts have no meaning, that they are too remote to be really significant. But, it seems to me that any connection that creates even the slightest connection between people from different backgrounds who approach the world with a variety of perspectives is a worthwhile endeavour.
As the distance between people of different cultures shrinks, we are increasingly caused to interact with people whose view of the world is profoundly different from any we might encounter in our own little sheltered enclave of the human community. Anything that causes us to wrestle with the reality of the way other people see the world is a small step towards understanding and cooperation in a world where such virtues are often in short supply.
4. Blogging is writing.
This last point no doubt seems obvious and pointless. But it is important to me.
It is a common misperception that writers are people who publish. Getting published does not make a person a writer. Writers are people who write. When I blog I write. When I do not blog, I write less. This may seem like a good thing to some people; but I miss the act of writing when I stop.
Although writing is hard work, I enjoy the process of putting words into my computer. I like revising and editing my work. I feel thrilled occasionally when I see a phrase, or maybe even a whole sentence, appear on the screen that strikes me as expressing beautifully some thought that has been lurking unnoticed in the hidden recesses of my brain.
For me, blogging is a release of creative energy. No exercise of creativity can ever be a waste of time.
If a blog serves as spiritual practice, facilitates conversation and connection, and is a genuine creative expression, perhaps it is a worthwhile endeavour for those early morning hours spent on my laptop.
8 comments
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August 18, 2011 at 7:04 am
jaqueline
This post should be part of every writer’s manifesto
I take photographs. I am not sure I think of myself as a photographer ( not a fancy enough camera..that seems to be the requisite these days.)
‘Every one is a photographer these days’ some photographer said, in an image saturated world why should we amateurs put more out there?
Photography like your blog causes me to be attentive to the world, the world can speak itself through me…. and if it makes someone see the world a little differently and a little more clearly or shares a bit of light from God within me then that is a service to the world.even if only to a few.
With blogging many participate in writing…perhaps there is a a resentment that writing is not longer the domain of the hallowed author.
But.then.no one complains when we kick a soccer ball around the field that we have pretensions of being David Beckham…they assume we are being alive and enjoying ourselves .
Blog on!
August 18, 2011 at 7:07 am
Lindsay
Here are 10 reasons I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, Chritopher …
1. Learnt about another side of Christianity, the church and realized that people have often struggled with the same things I have
2. Learnt about the world, news events, trends I wouldn’t normally have known about or paid attention to beyond a cursory glance
3. Gets me up in the morning … starts my day with a positive outlook … I feel less stressed and because of that am able to reduce stress in other people
4. Generates conversations with people I know who don’t necessarily go to church but who are interested in discussing a wider range of topics.
5. Given me a language I didn’t previously have to frame complex ideas …eg, I didn’t know what fundamentalism or mysticism was, hadn’t heard of Richard Dawkins
6. Challenged me to think about things in a different way … eg. Ernest’s post yesterday on compassion is now challenging me to define what sacrifical love is in my own mind.
7. Helped me feel more centred and connected, grounded … rather than bopping about on the ocean.
8. I wouldn’t have encountered so many amazing people who think about things. I wouldn’t have met Jaqueline in real life, for instance.
9. Has helped me get back into reading books, I’m on my 4th so far this year, in other years I’ve struggled to finish one … attributed to your blog and jumping off into researching topics
10. Has helped me navigate some difficult, tricky situations and focus on what’s more important …
Not bad, I reckon, and when I consider all the others things I could have being instead … while my legs might have turned to podge this last year with all the time I’ve spent on the internet and I’m thinking it’s time to cut back a bit, I reckon this has very much been a positive, healthy, spiritual place to grow.
Thanks, Christopher.
August 18, 2011 at 8:39 am
Tress
Your blog has been a sort of lifeline to me . has brought many scattered thoughts and ideas together in my mind.
You and the people who regularly write comments have become almost like friends.
It has not just been a pastime , that every morning , before i even eat , or have tea or coffee, i eagerly turn on the computer to see what is your thought for today
I am fortunate to have good friends and family ,and an active life,but you and your blog are irreplaceable.
Thank you.
.
August 18, 2011 at 9:01 am
Tress
P.s. I like Ernest’s guest blogs too.
August 18, 2011 at 9:23 am
Evan
Jaqueline said it perfectly….”and if it makes someone see the world a little differently and a little more clearly or shares a bit of light from God within me then that is a service to the world.even if only to a few”
I too enjoy photography, primarily nature and sports. At the end of a hike or after my daughters soccer games, I normally delete 95% of the pictures I’ve taken as mediocre and not really conveying anything. But usually there are one or two pictures that convey to a viewer the pure beauty of the moment or the raw emotion and intensity of the game. It’s for those rare pictures that I invest the time, not for the other 95%.
I think blogging is the same way. Many of your posts don’t really strike a chord with me. But every once in a while, there is one that gives me some insight into my life, the world or that inner light that we seek. I’m sure it’s that way with your other readers and that’s what makes it worthwhile.
Keep blogging Christopher!
August 18, 2011 at 9:48 am
Rob
Sounds like someone got into a huff and elected to challenge you on actually not blogging itself but the fact you were in a room by yourself (they think), spending time on the Internet (God forbid) and by that act ignoring your family, your health and my gosh, using precious resources,
Well, you could have been running outside , still by yourself, ignoring your family , mumbled hello to some people as you pass in any of your activities. Gone to the office (Church) and dealt with calls and visitors but you would hev been found at home or on the smartphone, oh right you do not have one of those gadgets. Great way to blog and read anyttime.
Well in my case, the days of the local pub around the corner are not as much as prior and the family going down for a pint or snack or tonic is a great effort due to our schedules or diverse activities and responsibilities.
In fact, we are human and need interaction and mind you I`m not the most sociable or talkactive person though I tend to consider myself a good listener.
Ignoring my own bias of running a cruise blog I consider blogs as a more open method to allow me to pause for the day and sharfe and converse aas trying to get you all together in the same place at the same time is not going to happen.
l
I started off thinking well it might alow us to know about Christophers thoughts yet it opened up the door to know folks I see and do not see on a regular basis and their thoughts without getting into disagreements. I`ve also learned more about various folks and in some posts we have even supported each other.
So, here is to choices,,, blogs are another way of communicating in a shared manner and we grow in mind and spirit if we allow ourselves.
August 18, 2011 at 10:00 am
Rob
Some typos above, fast typing , sorry
Blogs can be funny as I saw a reply from Lindsay yesterday on my phone when we were out (not in the car) and started to chuckle. All of a a sudden I hear Liz saying what`s so funny.
Being a truthful guy I told her, just got a blog reply from Lindsay saying I`m a good man.
Now that is a really good way to start the day .
August 18, 2011 at 10:52 am
Nadine
This is my only blog subscription and the only place I have responded. I love the sincerity and thoughtfulness of the posts and comments. It restores my hope for the future.
To explore and share our deepest truths in a respectful space is a rare thing. Thanks Christopher!