Thursday, February 5, 2009

Commentary

I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes a random comment from a random person on my blog just makes my day.

I am pretty easy to please- and what girl doesn't like a compliment? I do not know where I originally heard the advice, but someone once told me that when a person pays you a compliment, you don't undermine it by saying oh this old thing? or you don't think the pancakes are overcooked?, you thank them and and smile. It's called graciousness.

Since the number of blogs I read seems to increase by the day, I don't always have time or feel the need to comment. I'm there, reading of course, but I don't give my two cents everyday. I admire people who write everyday, but oftentimes I cannot get my thoughts together/insert excuse/I don't feel like I have anything to say at that particular point in time.

I originally started blogging so that friends and family in Texas would be able to read about my life in New York, but now I write because it is a release for me. It is a great way for me to organize my thoughts and to express how I'm feeling. What you see here is not the extent of my prose, either. I may not be the one who knows what to say when a tragedy occurs or when feelings have been hurt, but I can usually write it out. It's therapeutic. When I'm not writing to you, dear Internet, I am old-school with a pen and paper. If something is frustrating me or occupying my thoughts, I'll start scribbling.

This blog isn't totally anonymous- I have friends and family who read this and then there is the question mark. Those of you I don't know, who have ended up here one way or another. It is strange to think that I read the blogs of people I do not know and who I've never met, and yet I feel compelled to keep up with their daily lives. It is even stranger to think that there are people out in the world who do the same with me.

It is one thing to get an email from say, my mother, about a post (which is sweet- love you mom!) and it's a completely different thing to read a comment or an email from someone who is responding solely to your words- who does not know you personally in the face-to-face sense, but who has found a connection with your thoughts on a page.

I am officially rambling, and I know I do not speak for all bloggers- but just know that your thoughts don't go unread or unappreciated either.

And if you have ever made my day, then thank you (smile).

"Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own."
-Carol Burnett

14 comments:

erin - heart in ireland said...

I'm the same way, I love it when I see an email saying I have a comment from someone just stopping by (or even the regulars). I started blogging so long ago to keep in touch with camp friends and pretty much the first 7 years of blogging was restricted to friends only and then when I moved to Ireland I started this blog - where for the first while I still wrote in my old one and just copied and pasted/edited a bit for anyone to read, but now this is my primary one and I copy and past to my old one. But recently I've been getting more involved in the blogging community and I love it. I still blog for me - because there is nothing I love more than being able to go through and read old entries.

Happy Friday :)

tootie said...

I can relate. Comments make my day!

And, I'm like you - if I'm not writing on the blog, then I'm writing with pen and paper. (Although, truthfully, my journals have become pretty neglected since I started blogging.)

Anonymous said...

I'm guilty of reading your blog and not commenting (I sometimes hate leaving comments), and even though we don't know each other, I really enjoy stalking...I mean, reading, your blog and knowing how life in Texas really is! I've always wanted to visit Texas - that's on my list of vacations to take this year.

Anyway, thank you for writing. You are a great writer and it's been great getting to know about your life.

xoxo,

KT

Anonymous said...

what an appropriate post to read for my first visit to your blog! thanks for stopping by mine and making MY day with a comment! I too read blogs without commenting sometimes... I have days where I just want to read and NOT chime in and days where I want to be a part of the convo. When I first started blogging, I felt like I had to obsessively comment on every single post of the blogs I love, but it got so out of hand that now I just follow this rule: If I have something to say, say it. If not, don't worry about it.

And you know what, I really hope people do that on my blog too. I don't mind if you are someone who just reads and comments every now and again... I would hate for anyone to feel comment pressure!!

Wow, this is long for my first comment on your blog. Ha!

Kelli said...

Ohh I love when people leave me comments too! It makes me feel good so I usually try to spread the cheer. I do have a little extra free time these days so I usually leave a little comment on everyone's blog that I read unless I just really don't have anything to say. I'm sure when I start working again that I probably won't have as much time to comment though. Until then I will be spreading the cheer I guess. I love your blog btw :)

Anonymous said...

I love reading comments on my blog and leaving comments on other's blogs.

I don't comment here enough (sorry!) but I really enjoy your blog and think you are a talented writer. I'll make my presence known here more often from now on :)

CIP said...

I know exactly what you mean in this post. I read a million blogs, and I don't always comment, but I'm right there reading.

Andhari said...

I love reading and giving comments too. People have such interesting lives, and the way they can be there for you when you're down, only by leaving emphatical comments. That's such an eye opener for me.

Laila P said...

I've just found your blog and I'm really enjoying reading it. I thought this would be the perfect post to comment on and tell you that :)

Plus I agree, I love random comments from strangers! And it's really weird how people all over the world can read about your day, your thoughts or whatever you decide to write about. And fascinating to read theirs!

erin - heart in ireland said...

I've tagged you with a blog award :)


Hope you had a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I think blog comments are one of the highlights of my days. I love that people read, relate, attempt to understand and share things with me through my blog.

It's especially fun when I find a new reader and then a new read as a result (which is how I came to your blog, I believe!).

jlc said...

Omg that's sooo me! For instance, your comment before totally made my night!!

Sure I'm still waiting to hear from the hubby, stressin', eating chips and watching the Grammy's. But it's nice to know others care about your current situation. :)

almost loved said...

I can relate to this post. I like reading comments on my blog but sometimes I just don't have time to write comments on other people's blog.

*krystyn* said...

I try to comment when I find a new blog (like yours) but I don't comment on all that I read everyday.

I love reading my comments, but I don't get too many since I had to go private due to mean commenters in the world.