From the rain
I’m a writer, but I have a joke with many of my writer friends that I’m the quintessential writer who doesn’t write. A writer who doesn’t write! Although I make my living as a feelance writer, it’s been many years since I’ve done very much personal writing, and I want to change that.
In the past few years, a lot of people have suggested that I create a blog. But, funny enough, like most writers I know, I’m also a real introvert. (Yes, I know I’m incredibly outgoing, but according to the Myers-Briggs test, I’m not an extrovert!) I don’t share the desire to tell strangers about my life and have real trepidation about sharing what I think are somewhat insignificant details of my life with others.
And yet writing in journal after journal allows me so much safety. When I think back on the greatest moments of my life, they are often when I have taken huge risks. This is a risk for me. Stating to others that I intend to write more leads to a sort of accountability--even if only a few people ever look at this.
The name of this blog, Dance of the Dragonfly, has meaning for me as well. I’ve always been attracted to dragongflies, for no real reason. That’s made me curious. Recently, I found out a little about dragonfly symbolism. I’m going through a period of monumental change in my life and there are many things that ring true for me about how I want to live and be in this world. The dragonfly combines the grace of a butterfly with an aspect of change and growth. It just seemed fitting. "Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so."
Along with wanting to establish a routine and forum for writing everyday—or at least as often as possible—I also wanted a way to document my journey. I’m currently in school to become a counselor through the Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS) at Bastyr University. I’d like to have a place to integrate what we are learning and to talk about some of the incredible books on our 23-page reading list. And then there are pictures and stories of Koya, my crazy adventures, and travel photographs I would like to share with others…
I’m curious as to how this will unfold. How much will I share? Will I disclose personal things—things that matter? Will I play it safe? Will I actually write more than I do now? I guess only time will tell. I can’t wait to see…
posted by Elizabeth at 8:47 AM
4 Comments:
Elizabeth! This is so cool of you. I feel honored to have you let me know about this. I can't wait to see what happens for you, too.
I think that a blog can be different from a journal, but since I haven't written in the latter, I can only conjucture--and that's this: in a blog, you're subconciously changing the script to "satisfy" the audience. Whether that's good or not depends on what one is writing about, I think.
Either way, I'm sure you'll have fun with it :-).
Recogitare
Yes, I guess that naturally happens. However, in being aware of it, I hope to write about things that interest me and filter what I write as little as possible because of who I think might be reading and how they might react. I think for me the challenge is not so much about being genuine, but more about me being willing to share myself fully. For example, right now, spirituality is really important to me and I’m learning a great deal from teachers and friends, but I don’t want to limit exploring that to only with people in my program or people who share the same interests. That being said, I think I will have to work up to sharing more personal things and my own creative writing.
And, it is kind of fun. I can see why you like it...
Marlane,
Thank you. I feel honored to have you as a friend as well.
E
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