Much ado about nothing

Well, well. The hiatus blog post was an interesting test for me: Giving myself permission not to feel obligated; checking whether I would experience withdrawal or loss; seeing how it would feel, in general, to be distancing myself from blogging; gaging whether it would seriously hinder my professional writing time or abilities; figuring it out by putting it down in black and white.

Although it has only been a couple of days, I have noticed that it was much ado about nothing. Just as I drift in and out of reading other people's blogs when I have time or inclination, so will others react to mine. And I can blog at different times of the day. What a discovery! If the muse arises, I might blog in the afternoon or evening, once or twice a week, less or more, whenever I choose. I have been able to wake in the morning, reach for coffee and write my chapter before blog surfing or blog-a-doodle-dandy-ing. This is not to say that I am not addicted to it. I most certainly am. Happily so, I might add. Addicted to the community, other bloggers' lives, and the need to express myself. Not only that, I have noticed that nowadays when I sit down to write professionally, it flows much more easily than in the years before I became a blogger. Yes indeed. That means that writing nearly every day on my blog has loosened up my mind, fingers, brain and writing skills, and strengthened my confidence level. It is true, dear readers. You know all those authors who tell us that a person should write something every day? Well, their advice has proved right for me.

It was so much fun receiving all those supportive, "We'll be here when you get back," type comments. I felt bathed in a community of understanding and acceptance. For Danny's "gulp," pretty much summed up how I was feeling about sporadic blog-posting. Thank you from the bottom of my grateful heart to everyone who commented. I am blowing you cyber kisses and sending out smiles and hugs. Your support strengthens my soon-to-be-58-year-old soul - daily.

Comments

[Rhea]

Well, this is great!

[tamarika]

Thanks for the birthday greetings, Heidi and Winston! I wonder what was happening to the comments on TypePad. But anyway, here you both are and I am delighted and grateful.

Tamar,
I am very moved by your comment. And I will definitely have more time this weekend to read and appreciate your post. Shavuot has always been one of my favorite holidays - not only because it often falls on or near my birthday - but because (back when I was a ganenet in Israel) of the children in white clothes, flowers in their hair and baskets of fruit and flowers everywhere!

[Winston]

I think the comment box ate my words. Better than when I have to eat them...

Anyway, I was just saying that it is a wonderful addiction to have. I feel as comfortable, sometimes more so, with my friends here as with the flesh and blood types I bump into daily.

Happy soon-to-be birthday!

Now let's see if this one gets lost too...

[Heidi]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAMARIKA!

(Apologies if this shows up a second time--the site was grumpy earlier)

[tamar]

Dear namesake! While you were out... I pushed the Send button on my keyboard to publish a blog post (seemingly forever in gestation). A post that I partly dedicate to you for the courage you gave me to speak deeply personal truths in the blogosphere (as to myself). Since I stumbled on your blog about six months ago, I witnessed your guts to do this hard work here. I love your process and openness and the curious similarities in our names, careers, and paths. So, while you might not blog any days, I (perhaps others) do blog a bit in your name or spirit. Toda raba raba. And chag sameach on this wonderful celebration of the giving.. or getting... or both... of the Torah!