We are between eclipses and astrology continues. What about where we are beyond that, when not lost in translation? I have been taking my time and focusing my energy on taking care of my home and my personal needs so that I can support those who I care for offline – attending workshops and working on my center, developing technique and building up my qi. I’ve been more dedicated to my private practice of journaling, meditation, and spontaneously creative breath work. 🙂
Before, when I started this blog, I was more “out there,” dispersed and now, it’s clear to me, that my immediate environment – the neighborhood, etc, are more my proximity, is where I literally dwell, even from a shamanistic perspective. I think part of it is because I was actually moving in 2012 (blog started in 2011) and then I moved again in 2013, and then nearby to the previous location in 2015; since then, I’ve gotten settled, reclaimed more of myself from fragmentation, and have started running ‘deep’ once again. I’ve been going through transformation in a number of ways as I interact with all sorts of teachers in person, and when I meet with clients or patients in person. It’s really about re-forming myself, finding places where my illusions keep me from the present moment, and deepening my practice of self-work. Getting good results is inspiring; it can also be a reminder to me that I need to keep at it.
Also the shifts have a lot to do with me getting much more physically healthy and being busy away from old focuses, and into new ones – or at least increasingly into the endeavors I started more recently, a couple years ago. As a result, blogging has not been a high priority for a while now. The poetry isn’t coming as regularly, but maybe it will return again.
I have some questions about the purpose of the internet and blogging right now as it relates to where my needs and those of others’ intersect.
I do believe that many bloggers are here to make a difference, as a main motivation. To me, that’s one of the keystones of blogging. What to do, though, when one is getting their ‘connectedness’ offline primarily. What to do when wanting to show people that caring is happening, but the focus is more deliberate now, and definitely self-centered.
When I get a text or two in reply to me, and I’m told, “you made me smile,” I feel like that’s a complete moment – that was making a difference. When I think about how I will use my newly acquired and honing skills, I think: YAY! Where can I be of service… next? I love that my work is offline!
Those bloggers who I most want to connect to, are people who want to make a difference, and already are making a difference. I see it all the time. Not living online daily, while knowing that there’s this online world, with online connections that are taking place, and people are interacting and supporting one another. It’s really a brilliant thing!
So ~ This is a gratitude post.
Also some questions:
- How can blogging best serve people who are only part-time or 1/4 time (or less) bloggers?
- How can we maintain relationships that have infrequent interactions? (i’ve had years of this and I love those friends/family dearly!!)
- How can we keep connected for the teamwork purpose of creating a healthier, happier planet with people who aren’t being left behind?
- How can we allow for people to be free from the internet for whatever period of time they need, and then be ‘welcomed back’ again?
- How has the internet and social media transformed and shaped social obligations?
Fiesta Estrellas 
These are good questions Ka that I don’t have answers for. My connections are primarily online and although helpful, I’m aware of wanting deeper in-person connections. Thankfully, blogging and social media give me some connection and a sense of community. The community has been very welcoming and supportive overall, while very fluid as to who is connecting which has changed a lot over the 6 years I’ve been blogging.
Brad, your response made me smile 🙂
You just highlighted what makes blogging so great: supportive community, fluidity of contacts, and connections which may change and evolve. You have written previously about the importance of all different levels of social relationship, which I really enjoyed and continue to consider. One of the enjoyable aspects of questions is that we can let them seep into us and work on us. I don’t have the answers, and answers is not my department. What I do have is curiosity.
Now, for you, I am excited about what you might discover in your longing for more: being aware of what you seek. May it lead you in all places back to your heart, and thank you for touching mine! Asking on your behalf for deeper in-person connections 🙂
Thank you for the loving comment and support Ka. This is what makes blogging compelling for me. 🙂 I like your idea of allowing the different kinds of connection to seep in and work on us, hopefully for the good. 🙂
💗
Beautiful thoughts and questions Ka which each of us need to ask ourselves. When we know deeply what makes us happy and is right for us , that’s when I discover flow and synchronicity in my world 💚💕
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your comment, and for adding how you discover flow and synchronicity in your world! Yes, there is so much flow and serendipity right now for me, and watching the shifts happen very gently…. directing and redirecting into that space and flow of resourcefulness and connection. Have a wonderful week!
Ka
wonderful encouragement
for connection, Ka!
yes, so many questions
which can be answered
by just doing it 🙂
Thank you very much, David, for your comment. I think you highlighted here what’s really true: just doing it…. it’s truly ‘how.’ Have a wonderful week!
I loved your post! I have often pondered and wondered about how to keep the balance. The online community has been a magical gift for me. The authenticity and the allowance has facilitated such deep connections, interactions and transformations. There have been blog friends who went on long break and resumed like there was no difference in our interactions. Yet it has been tricky for me to figure out how to feel content with time available online and offline …I just go with the flow without guilt now.
Hello Pragalbha,
Thank you very much for your comment. Balancing is a lot about moving, and varying inner responses I think. We are going with the flow as we move and, yes, we dance, we pause! I love hearing/knowing/seeing how the online community has been such a magical gift for you! Your authenticity certainly brings a lovely attractor factor 🙂 I enjoy asking open-ended questions such as this so that the contentedness can settle in as it needs to, and to include others in this exploration, because it appears to be a phenomenon and an interesting growth/stretch experience for us all. ❤
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Ka
You are very welcome. My pleasure to have this conversation with you 🙂
🙂
Hi Ka! Perfect post for me to “enter” after a bit of an absence! I struggle with the same questions and I wonder sometimes if I should keep my blog! I never thought that way in the past. My blog and meeting souls such as yourself has been such an integral part of my healing journey. The thought to end it hurts my heart. The main reason I think this way is because my life, too, has been taking all of my time…obligations mostly…and then I feel a sense of guilt for not being here…connecting…as much as I used to. But then I feel like I have to change these thoughts, because I believe that I can be away and then come back in and see this post of yours and know that we connect even when we don’t communicate by conventional means!!!
I think the key for me moving forward is to continue to my path with a promise I made and to fulfill it first and foremost. The second thing on the list HAS to be to take care of myself and my health. And then, in any given day, if there is time left over I do something I WANT to do…whatever that may be on that day. I have so many projects just waiting for me to be available…and for that I should be grateful!!!
I am with you, dear sister. I will always be with you. Take the time you need and do the things that you hear in your heart and everything will be exactly how it is supposed to be!! Much love and many blessings to you, sweet friend, Ka!!
❤ ❤
So so grateful for your message! I look forward to replying! ❤
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Each moment brings new choices. I thank you for your comment and appreciate what you are going through, taking care of yourself, in my opinion comes first – everything else will take care of itself. My husband and I will be spending the day at the monastery in mindfulness meditation. Holding you in my heart, as we are sisters, and will find more enjoyable ways to spend our time *while* healing happens… as it needs to when it wants. The blogs will figure themselves out, too. May you enjoy peace of the day. Thank you! 🌸
Ah…Ka! Thank you. Tears falling as I respond…good tears! I will be okay. I am always navigating the self-care as it is the thing I was not aware of until recently.
May your day be so full of sweet moments!
I will allow my day to unfold in peace from within. To you, my sister, I send you love ❤
Good tears 🙂 Thank heavens! Let them roll….
My day was full of sweet moments, and so grateful for the connection. I feel the shared love! ❤
I am so thankful for this post. It seems there are a few of us, maybe more than a few asking these questions. I have been less rigid in my blogging and online time lately and it feels right and healthy to step back a little. Flexibility and acceptance help. It always feels good to visit here.
Hello JoAnna 🙂
I am so thankful for your presence here. I”m glad that you feel good when you visit, because you always add something special. Ah, yes, with the internet, we have so many opportunities and so many choices. I find that taking a step back and considering this is a regular occurrence. I very much enjoy the ebb and flow of the nature and the needs and wants that arise that help us with the dance of ‘here’ and ‘there,’ ‘offline’ and or ‘online.’ Sometimes practical and philosophical questions meld, some breaks are longer than others. Maybe this break will be longer than the others, or maybe it won’t. I’m not sure I know yet, but I have noticed shifts within that bring me into new places that I find myself exploring anew. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Ka
Thank you, Ka. Going with the flow… I hope you have a wonderful week, too!