HOW DID I START BLOGGING? It is not a big mystery and not that hard to start blogging or writing a book. It is the dedication behind this endeavor as any other attempt to accomplish a goal. I truly started the blog on a whim by a former classmate of mine who had read my posts on facebook. Peggy Mercer who had written a blog and has written several children’s books as well as varied genres suggested I start a blog. Those of you who have heard this story is I asked her “What is a blog?” I had heard the word but had no clue. I was writing on my first novel and wasn’t even sure what to do with it at the time the conversation occurred.
With my work, I had learned to research online so what did I do? I googled “BLOG” and by the end of that day at the end of 2012, I wrote and published my first blog on blogspot.com That’s right 6 years completed and now my blog Sipping Cups of Inspiration has entered its 7th year. Can I count how many times I have thought about stopping the blog? Too many to count….still writing as you can see. What makes me keep going? It is an outlet of thoughts, a haven for sentimental journeys, a place to “hang” my hat and a reward of accomplishment of consistent writing. Thank you Peggy Mercer for your encouragement, you said I had to be willing to be dedicated to keep blogging.
One of the first blog posts that I can still find is the following
TODAY THE WORDS are OUT ON A LIMB. How many of us, when we were children, climbed a tree and sat on a limb? We seemed so fearless in those days and climbed, swung, hung by our heels, and thought we could fly at times. It amazes me when I reflect on those times how few broken bones came from those adventures. If now, we would see a child climbing like we did, we would freeze in fear and try to get them to climb down. Is the reality of fear the difference; we didn’t see fear then; we see fear now? Do any of you remember how farther it seemed we could see from the limb rather from the ground? It was empowering to say the least. Was it fearlessness or a lack of experience of how dangerous it could have been? One weak limb and down we could have fallen to the ground. We laughed and encouraged each other to climb higher or go farther out on the limb. Now for the deeper thought…..in our lives are we willing to go “out on a limb” for each other? How many times do we care enough to do something for someone that is unexpected? Do we listen with caring ears when someone is sharing painful thoughts or do we just “uh huh” them to death? Do we ask what we can do to help? Do we volunteer our help without having to get in all of their business? Do we go “out on a limb” for a stranger in need? I saw a news flash about a boy that when he was only 7 years old and had seen a homeless man with a sign that read “Need a meal” has built an organizational food bank with his friends (same age) and has raised over $20,000 and is definitely a person who has gone “out on a limb”. I heard his words and they stuck with me, “You are never too tall or too small to make a difference”. I want to be even more willing to help others and climb high enough to see the ones in the distance that can use our help and crawl out on the limb! Have a day that allows you to go “out on a limb” for someone who needs our help. If you are out on the limb needing help, find trust and hope in God as He is the Power who encourages us to go out on the limb to help you.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Romans 11:17
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.
There is something timeless about those first blog messages as when I read this one after copying it to this message, I realized how appropriate this should be the message I chose. I have recently been encouraging some people to write more, possibly start a blog, write a book, or even speak to audiences. Oh, I am no pro by any stretch of the word but I can recognize a talent of communication when I hear it or see it. I write because I love to communicate thoughts or innovate, motivate, inspire, and encourage. In other words, even from 2013, I love going out on a limb. If you only want to start a blog for financial gain, unless you have an awesome niche, I would shy away. Write because you love to write. LIVE LIFE, LOVE LIFE, AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST by doing what inspires you personally and through that personal love, you will inspire others.
Note to potential bloggers/writers: I will dedicate a few blogs on how to get started but wanted to preface this task with a personal message. More ideas to come soon……until we blog again……Arline L Miller, author and blogger of Sipping Cups of Inspiration.
(C) Copyright 2012-2019 Arline Miller, Sipping Cups of Inspiration, with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material, including photos, is sourced to original location if known for credit references.
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