Self-Awareness – SeasonedSistah

Why I Blog

In my last post, “Blog, Why” I shared with you:

a few negative comments from non-bloggers who expressed their beliefs about why people blog;
my inability to respond openly and honestly when asked by friends and family, “Why Do You Blog.” and
why I was taking time off from blogging to go within and explore “Why I Blog”.

When I stepped away from blogging and travelled inward to find words that authentically expressed “Why I Blog,” I came up with a number of reasons and these are just a few:

I blog for Self-Expression – I silenced my voice many, many years ago and readily accepted the role of “listener”. But in this last season of life, I wanted to share my experiences, opinions, and rants. I needed a platform to “speak up,” “speak clear, and “speak out. ” And, I found it . My voice gets stronger every day on Blogosphere as well as when I communicate with people face-to-face.
I blog for Self-Care – Ten years ago, it dawned on me that I have a paternal family Alzheimer’s and Dementia history. Of my three paternal aunts, two lived into their seventies, both were diagnosed with the conditions and, the third died in her forties. My only two paternal female cousins who both lived past the age of sixty were diagnosed as well. Blogging is one of the things that I do to exercise my brain. And, staying mentally alert is especially important given my age, seventy-two, and family history.
I blog for Self-Education – I communicate with Bloggers around the world. Through these Blogs, my life opens up to new things, places, cultures and lifestyles. Whenever, I go to my Reader and/or visit a Blog, I can expect to learn something new.
I blog for Self-Awareness – “Living in the Present Moment,” Stillness, and “Quiet” did not play a role in my life until I entered Blogosphere a little over two years ago. This is when yoga, meditation and mindfulness entered my space. Though, still a work-in-progress, through these practices, I now do a better job of understanding who I am and how I relate to what happens in my life both the positive and the negative.
I blog for Self-Love” – Blogging for me is very nurturing; and, I am worthy of doing what I enjoy and all that brings tranquility and happiness into my space.

This is my last blog post until Monday, April 27, I am taking a break to spend seven fun-filled days with my two beautiful granddaughters who will be visiting us during their spring break.

Chelsea, 23-Years-Old — Chelsea Yvonne, 23-Years-Old

After the granddaughters leave, Hubby and I are taking several mini vacations to celebrate our 55th Wedding Anniversary.

Blogging, Why?

After 2+ years of blogging, am I really a Blogger? Maybe not because I still have difficulty in coming up with a good answer when a non-blogger asks, “Why Do You Blog?”

I pause for a couple of minutes, process the question, and then try to think of an answer that will put me in good favor with the non-blogger.

Low-self esteem and a need to seek the approval of the non-blogger is what I must learn to overcome. I have to Let Go of Ego before I can fully embrace the title of Blogger.

I never asked those who posed the question, “Why Do You Blog” what they thought of blogging. However, I did pose the question to www.answers.yahoo.com to see what non-bloggers thought of bloggers and found the following negative comments:

“They don’t have an outside life and can’t socialize in real life, so they are trying to socialize on the internet.”
“Why do people blog if they’re not going to be read? Nobody reads or comments on them.”
“Bloggers think others care about their lives”
“People wanna be popular and some want to get money.”
“People who blog like to tell people about there life -AKA attention seekers.”
“So that some people can ask bulls…. questions and others can answer?
“Bloggers think that others care about their life.”
“Boredom.”
“I mean personal blog. They’ll write a new post a few times a week, every day, or even a couple of times a day about themselves but the topics are always mundane.”
“Simple, for some reason these people seem to think they have something useful to say. Unfortunately what they post is nothing more than mindless drivel which does nothing more than highlight their sad little existences.”
“Simply because they want to, and probably do not have much of a life,”
“I understand journaling but why would you make it public?”
“Is it because they have a HUGE need for attention and to let others know they exist?”
“Because people are narcissistic and honestly think other people are interested in hearing about what they did during the day.”
“They want to feel that someone is interested in hearing about their lives. It all goes back to being a little kid and jumping up and down screaming, ‘Hey look at me! LOOK AT ME! Are you looking ?? LOOK!!!”
“What makes people expose their thoughts in online diaries.” Why the heck would you want people to read your diary.”

There were some positive comments. However, I didn’t expect to see the number and severity of the negative comments.

Is it possible that the people, including family members, who asked me over the past two years, “Why Do You Blog”, have views similar to one or more of the above non-bloggers?

I no longer wish to struggle with answering the question, “Why Do You Blog”; so I will take time in the coming week to BE STILL, LOOK WITHIN and WRITE A POST about WHY I BLOG.

Photography 101, Day 1 – Home

Today’s Assignment

“To kick of this course, let’s introduce ourselves, share an image that means home, and get to know our cameras.”

I love every inch of my home both interior and exterior. However, when the Florida weather allows (not too hot), I spend most of my waking hours on our rear lanai.

In this space, surrounded by my Container Healing Garden and the towering green trees of the Rear Conservation Area, I find peace, joy and happiness.

My Home – Facing Street

My Container Healing Garden

Rear Conservation Area

August 2014: Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard

Chronic Pain flare-up

Despite the fact that weeks before this scheduled trip, I was dealing with a pain flare-up in the right knee; I was going on the annual Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

I have struggled with chronic pain since 1993 related to diagnosed conditions of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyaglia. Over the years, I developed various self-management tools to control the pain levels. However, my bone-on-bone knee pain needed either an injection or surgery. And, neither was available before this vacation.

Since there was nothing I could do to make the “Pain Go Away”, my only option was to “Grin and Bare It”

Wheelchair Transport Through the Airports

Since Hubby was not going, he ordered a wheelchair to transport me through the Orlando Airport. This is a long walk through one terminal, a short train ride, and a longer walk through a second terminal. Trust me the need for a wheelchair was the topic of more than one discussion in the days leading up to my departure. Finally, I gave in.

My son picked me up at the Milwaukee Airport and we were off to meet-up with the daughters. After the traditional hugs and kisses, they said, “Mama, you are limping.” While the limp was noticeable, I am certain Hubby had telephoned with his concerns.

After discussing the pros and my cons of a wheelchair; I lost and they ordered one for the next leg of my trip.

When I arrived in Milwaukee, I was an “Unhappy Wheelchair Traveler”; but, I left as the “Grumpy Wheelchair Traveler” as my 14-year-old grandson pushed me through the Milwaukee and Boston Airports.

Was it not just a few years ago that he depended on me to push him around in his stroller? I was not ready for this.

Having someone push me around in a wheelchair was not a pleasant experience; and, I felt —

Stressed
Powerless
Depressed
Angry
Embarrassed

The Airline Flight

On the airplane and seated comfortably; I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and let go of the negativity.

Through Self-Talk, Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance; I embraced and accepted the gift of wheelchair transports from my hubby, son, two daughters and grandson.

No longer did I feel —