Recently, Mitzi from ~Southern Style~ passed on to me the Blog of Substance award. I have been considering this award since she gave it to me. It was so kind of her to think of me and pass it along and I am so thankful to her for doing that....but, with that award, I started seriously thinking....
What is a Blog of Substance?....and.....Do I have one?
My initial reaction is NO.....I don't have a Blog of Substance.
Mitzi definitely does and the other recipients that she honored definitely have blogs of substance....but mine? No, I don't think I do. She bestowed the honor on me for being a fan and I'm definitely that. She writes a wonderful blog and I'm always excited and uplifted to read what she has to say on there.
Are my readers excited and uplifted to read
what I have to say?
Probably not..... I can't even believe that I have readers.
Am I passing on anything useful to those who
choose to stop by my little home on the web?
No, I don't think so.
I have a few nice pictures and some good recipes that I've enjoyed preparing and photographing; but...
Am I passing on anything of substance?
Is there anyone that passes through my little home on the web that is inspired, encouraged or uplifted by anything that they have seen or read on my blog?
Would I be inspired, encouraged or uplifted if I were a visitor to this blog?
No, I don't think so
Answering those questions honestly leads me to question where I am going with this blog and what is my focus....
Why am I blogging in the first place?
That seems to have been the question for the last year anyway. I'm still not sure how to answer it. My blog started because my son started blogging and encouraged me to give it a try. I was feeling a little scattered in my thoughts and was reflecting on my life and thought...
Why not give this blogging thing a shot?
I felt like there was something creative inside of me that was waiting to be birthed and thought this might be the outlet for that. Once upon a time...many, many years ago.....I wrote a little bit. I wrote some poetry and I kept a diary and wrote from my heart the things that mattered to me at the time.
I could do that again, right?
This blog was all about "discovering Candace", whatever that means. I think I made one post and got really nervous. This is so public......
Do I want to birth whatever this is in such a public forum?
I don't even know what "this" is or how to even go about birthing it.
What if someone sees me do it?
What if I embarass myself ?
or worse....
What if I embarass my husband or my kids?
and...
Who would want to read anything that I had to say anyway?
So I didn't write anything again until this year. At that time, I was feeling that I still had some discoveries about myself that I needed to make and I remembered my blog. I remembered that I started it for me.....not for someone else to read.....but for me....as a way to find my way and organize my thoughts and tap into whatever creativity that I might have been gifted with. This wasn't about someone else...it was about me and my journey. With this came a new vision and new energy to get back on the road and try again and that led me to where I am today.
I'm still not sure where I am going. The final destination is so unclear; but I feel like I'm supposed to be on this journey. I believe that I am on the right road and I believe that if I persist in this journey, wherever it leads, someday soon along the way, I will find my voice. When I find it, I will know where I'm going and my vision will be less cloudy. I will be more comfortable and gain more confidence with each step that I make.
and my blog?
It will be a Blog of Substance, if for no one else in the whole world except for me.
I never dreamed that when I started this that I would have almost 100 people potentially read what I write and take a small glimpse into my world. Never in all my life would I have thought that was possible. Had I known that when I began this journey, I might not have started it at all. I'm pretty shy and prefer the one on one friendships and personal relationships rather than to be out in front of the crowd. Perhaps that is part of the journey for me ~ to get me out of the shadows and into the light so that I have more confidence in myself and find more value in who I am and what I can contribute to this world. I am excited about the journey. So far, it has been a blast! I really enjoy meeting new friends so much when they stop in for the first time and when I see a familiar face stop in and take the time to say hello and respond to something that I've shared, it brings more joy to my life than you will ever know.
So to get on with the acceptance of the Blog of Substance Award that Mitzi so graciously shared with me, there are a few rules, as always......
The first one is without a doubt not just a rule but something that I say from my heart.....
Thank you, Mitzi.....for this award.
I am honored and humbled that you thought of me along with the other wonderful ladies who truly have blogs of substance. I, also, thank you for challenging me with this award. You have caused me to seriously think about my blog and my life and to set some new goals for myself. For all of those reasons, I truly thank you.
The next "rule" of acceptance was a hard one for me.....I am to sum up my sum up my blogging Philosophy, Motivation and Experience using five words.
journey
discovery
sharing
community
friendship
This is my journey of discovery in which I am sharing a little of myself with the community and enjoying friendship with those that I meet along the way.
They are...
Thank you all so much!!
Finally, I am to pass the award on to some other bloggers. In this case, these are bloggers who, in my opinion, are truly deserving of this award. Their blogs are full of substance and they are all bloggers who continue to encourage me daily to blog whether they know it or not.
They are...
Karen @ Karen's Journal
Judy @ Cranberry Morning
Eneida at More Faith Than Fear
Mary @ Life in a Small Town
Jennifer @ The Farris Wheel
Kayni @ Kayni's Corner Cafe
Jennifer @ Crazy Shenanigans
Raptor @ PaleoQuest
Thank you all so much!!
Thank you for thinking of me with this award. I do try to be real and put myself out there. Hugs :O)
ReplyDeleteCandace, thank you so much for thinking my blog is anything worth reading, and for the award. :-) I feel like you, in that it amazes me that anyone at all would want to read it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog, and enjoyed today's post about your venture in blogging! Thanks again.
Wow. Thank you. I am truly honored.
ReplyDeleteLove ya girl!!! I just came up with the PERFECT Header for you!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) Enjoy your award!
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome! Your honesty shows and you've made a difference in my life. Thank you so much! Hugs, Candace
Thank you so much for this award. I am honored and humbled at the same time. Like you, I question if I do have a blog of substance, and my blog started merely as an outlet to my emotions and stress. Still, I do hope that I am at least passing along "something" to my readers.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful Tuesday to you.
Candace, you are so thoughtful! Thank you for the award, and for sharing with such honesty about your blogging journey. You're doing great...keep up your good work!
ReplyDeleteMom, I am really grateful and appreciative of the compliments and recognition you have given me, but I fail to see how I deserve such a prestigious award.
ReplyDeleteSince YOU have received this award, YOU have earned this! All we, your audience, did was read your posts and offering friendship and advice when we deemed neccessary.
However, this blog is truly a blog of substance and any fears you may have of "embarrassing your family" must cease to exist because you have offered yourself to this world and there is nothing that can surpass such a beautiful gift as this, or even match it, for that matter.
I Love YOu and am SO proud of you for coming out of your shell. This is a gargantuan leap, but, I'm glad you attempted it, because, as evident by your recent award, made it.
Take Care and Keep Blogging,
"Raptor" Lewis
PaleoQuest
Thank you for the award! I am very humbled!
ReplyDeleteEverything you wrote about your blog: I could've written the same thing.
"Are my readers excited and uplifted to read
ReplyDeletewhat I have to say?
Probably not..... I can't even believe that I have readers."
SERIOUSLY??? I totally love this blog and look forward to what you have to say. You are totally real and fun with your thoughts and it's so great to read!!
PS...THANK YOU FOR THE AWARD IN RETURN!
Aw, thank you for passing this award on to me!
ReplyDeleteYou are all very welcome! I apologize for the delay in posting to you all. The only comment it has shown me today was Diane's. A few of you show up in my email and I think I emailed you back. Those that haven't heard from me yet, personally, will! You are all deserving and I want you to know that each of you have made a difference in my life. Thank you so much for your encouragement! Candace
ReplyDeleteHi Candace! Thanks so much for coming by my blog! It is always such a blessing to meet new people and to make new friends! I am now a follower!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jewel! So nice to meet you! I really enjoyed your blog and I'm so happy you have joined me over here. I agree that it's a blessing to make new friends. I look forward to getting to know you! Candace~♥
ReplyDeleteYES INDEED You are a blog of substance! Your photos are wonderful and your recipes make even a non-cook like me think about trying them!
ReplyDeleteKeep on blogging, it's good for you and it's good for us!
You sure know how to encourage a girl! Thanks so much.....truly.... :0)
ReplyDeleteCandace~♥
Hi Candace!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to pop by to say hello and that your blog is real and i love to read your posts! Keep it going :)
It has not been that long since I have started following you and I remember going through my friends followers and read about 20 and you were the first one I really wanted to follow because not only are you so open but your so sincere and honest. If something touches your heart..you post it on here to let us try to experience it along with you and maybe touch our hearts too. I read every post you make and yes I get something out of each one. I don't know you personally but when I get down and feel like I am caged up at home with 2 kids (I'm a homemaker) I read your blog and remember how important those kids are to me and wonderful life can be and if I didn't get to stay home I would miss them every second. I know this comment is long but I just wanted to let you know that I agree with mitzi your blog is a blog of substance and it reminds me of this famous quote
ReplyDeletethe more you love yourself
the less you are like anyone else
and thats what makes you unique
and to me candace you are truly unique
Oh my! You guys are such a blessing to me. You do not know how you've blessed my heart....thank you so much....really....you made me cry! Thank you.....Candace~♥
ReplyDelete