I received an email recently about Facebook, Social Media and my Blog, one I can't seem to shake from my brain.
The article talked about so many things, but the part that really resonated with me was the impact social media has had on people's lives. For me, Facebook and Social Media is all about sharing my images, and keeping in touch with family and friends. I enjoy reading little snippets about their lives or seeing a current picture of them out and about, having fun! I never post anything negative or unkind. I never talk politics or religion. I keep it light and fun.
The article talked about the double lives that people live, sharing information that is not really true to make their lives seem better, more joyful. That Facebook is a competition of sorts, people sharing information, vacation photos and pictures of their homes that have in some way been fabricated or enhanced. That it is a contest of sorts to see who has more friends, who gets more likes on a post or who gets the most birthday wishes. Let me tell you, I was shocked...I had no idea.
That all got me thinking about my blog. My blog is the story of my life, plain and simple. Nothing more, nothing less. I write about my day to day adventures, recipes I enjoy, the things I create and my knitting projects. I enjoy sharing images I have taken and all the special moments in my life. My life is not perfect but I do not write about the bumps in my path or the mountains I have climbed. But rather the joys I have experienced on that path and the view from the top of the mountain. I do not want to give anyone the impression that life is easy for me, it isn't. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 12 years ago, I live every day with pain, seizures and a host of other symptoms that affect my activities of daily living. When I am feeling good, I write a few posts and save them. When I am not well, I have specific things I do to try and lift my spirits....and I don't write in my blog. I find that focusing on the good days and remembering the happy moments, make the bumps in the road seem much less significant! Living with MS has changed my life completely and not for the better. But I am stronger than I ever thought I could be and I do appreciate everything more than I ever did before.
I hope I never gave anyone the impression that my life was perfect, or that everything here is perfect. That I am always happy or that I never struggle. I struggle...but all I will share here on my blog is my joy, this is indeed my happy place...
I remember once that my sister told me "I was lucky" and then she apologized for saying that and I never understood why she apologized. I am lucky, I know my life is pretty darn ordinary and yet pretty darn extraordinary!
And because I never write an entry without sharing pictures, here are two of the hubs and I in Ocean Grove.
Ocean Grove is one of the Jersey Shore beachfront communities that we love. We went for a short walk on the boardwalk on October 10th, after the Fall Festival they had in town. It was a beautiful day at the beach, not a cloud in the sky and it was warm, 70 degrees.
40 comments:
I read with interest what you had written. Yes you do write an up beat blog where everything seems to be rosy. I know that life is not always like that and sometimes when we share our down times, it helps others feel they are not the only ones going through challenging times. It can be a great encouragment to others to know that life is not always a bowl of cherries.
Oh Debbie someone said the same thing to me. I admire you so much I do know somewhat of what you go through and I am so happy you post all those happy moments thoughts. We need that, we all need that. Your blog pulls people through there own struggles. I do not know if you know that but it does. I do not believe anyone has a perfect life and that is a fact. I think if everyone shared all the heartache and pain they go through instead of their good times imagine how depressing that would be. Imagine how many people would give up hope of their lives getting better or something worse that they never believe and give up hope that they can have happiness in joy in their own lives no matter what their body or mind has challenged them with.
You give us hope and joy and NEVER NEVER believe anything else. DO NOT give that article another thought and ignore the thoughts of those who do not know., Those of us that know you know and love you for sharing with us the good times.It makes US HAPPY to see your smiling face.
Man that sounds preachy but I NEVER want you to doubt the good you put out there in the world (my world) my dear Debbie.Thank you. HUGS HUGS xo B
Believe it or not after that big long speech I forgot to comment on the title.Keeping it Real. You do everyday you just don't need to share it. HUG B
I love those smiles. Both shots are great.
I wonder what MY life might appear like to those catching a glimpse here and there through my blog or other posts? Now you'll have me thinking about it. I need to write. Just started book 4 of my 6 Ways series. Couldn't sleep last night. Got up and wrote a chapter between 1:30 and 5:00 AM.
Debbie, I think of you as a shining example of how to be positive about life. I'm aware of your MS, but I don't dwell on it when reading your blog; i just enjoy what you share. Never worry about what you write, just do it for yourself. We each choose what we portray on our blog. I share photos, but not many personal things or pictures, but it gives me great pleasure to do it so i'll keep on. I think of your health issues every time i read your blog (every day), and send you good thoughts - perhaps because i have my own health issues. Take care and keep sharing!
Hello Debbie, I know about your pain and MS and I am happy that you can blog about your happy times. I do not think anyone's life is perfect. We came home from our vacation to well and water problems, not a happy time. But, that's life! It has it's ups and downs. As far as FB goes if someone does not like your post or photos they can move on, I enjoy both your blog post and FB photos. Ignore the negative people and enjoy your life.
Hello Debby!:) I knew about your struggle with MS, and admired you even more for the joyful posts you share. Please don't think we share the same opinion of the shallow people who have to invent things in there lives to impress others. I didn't think that of you at all, and know that life isn't perfect for anyone, least of all people with health issues. I really enjoy your posts Debby.
Thank you for writing this heartfelt post Debbie. It is beautifully written and knowing, as like many others that you have your struggles with MS, makes me admire you even more for the happiness you bring through your blog. It is a positive and joyful place to visit, and I for one love coming here because of it. I also rarely put any negative things on my blog. There is so much sadness in the world that I truly believe people welcome a place to go to that takes them away from all that. No, life isn't always roses and the naysayers may disagree, but a daily dose of upbeat is good for the soul, so thank you dear lady. You are definitely good for my soul :) Keep on doing what you are doing. We love coming here.
ps sweet photos of you two.
Thank you for sharing with us. For me, I try to keep my blog real with were my thoughts and heart is. I have a hope that maybe some day years from now my Grandchildren/great grandchildren would sit and read them and feel they knew me. Always enjoy your pictures and the last two were perfect!
Debbie, if it were not for your encouragement, I would have stopped writing this blog long ago! YOU are the reason I have tried. Thank you.
As for your blog, it is YOUR blog and you can write any thing you damn well please. You develop a readership of people who LIKE the way you write. Period. I have spoken.
I think that all of the time Debbie, I have always thought you are the most brave person I know. Thank you for sharing. A very nice post.
I totally understand where you're coming from, Debbie and agree l00%.
You are always a bright light even on a cloudy day, and that's what I
love about you. I also enjoy the pictures you post as I find that you
are one of the best photographers I know. :)
xoxo
Hello Dear Debbie !
Thank you very much, that you write a blog about everything you share with us.
I am happy that I can come to you.
I'm glad Your love and joy.
I feel sorry for because of illness.
I send greetings to you and your husband.
Greetings from Poland.
Lucia
I feel the same way about Facebook, and I'm all about having a joyful time of it. just like blogging. I was raised to never complain. keep things private, don't talk politics or religion especially with friends and family. So I'm all about sharing my day to day, and bragging about a few folks that write books or etc, and to promote and introduce them to the world. My favorite thing in life is learning about new things to improve life, marriage family, etc. like your postcard exchange with hubby. I've been doing that with the grandchildren, teaching them about sending real mail and getting some back. Your couple thing is something that I'm going to try, (although my hubs probably won't last at it) but I can. I'm happy you are here just as you are to brighten our days, and make blogging worthwhile! Happiness rules over all!
Definitely something you see often in the blogging world, but I love your thoughts on it. Thanks so much for coming by my blog today! Really sweet pictures of you and your hubby! Have a wonderful day!
Alexis @ www.chemistrycachet.com
The joys you share here encourage and strengthen me DAILY. I never leave here without the thought to remember gratitude, appreicate the gifts that surround us and take nothing for granted. You are a genuine treasure in my life, and this space reflects beautifully the heart with which you live your life. Sending, as always, a big - HUGE - hug!
That 70 degrees sounds heavenly. We're still scorching at 90 by mid afternoon. I'm so ready for winter!!! 'Cause we're NOT having any Autumn. lol
I so enjoyed this post. Yes, yes....I realized that there are so many out there with the social media that lie through the keyboard and think they're living a better life or yanking someone's chain to get attention be it sad/glad/or indifferent. And the 'friends' in fb astound me....some have thousands that have never met!!! How can those call strangers friends? Who know what is lurking behind the computer monitor?!!!
Don't get me going.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by to visit with my hawk and owl pictures this week!
sorry....it should read 'who KNOWS'
Debbie I love your blog!! Especially your beautiful photography!! Always uplifting to me!
Only the naive follow any give blog and assume it is the sum total of anyone's life. Even cooking blogs spare their audience about all the burnt or fallen goodies and post only "pretty" food. One of my favorite quotes is to essentially not believe everything your read on the internet - attributed to President Lincoln. I appreciate all the journeys you do share and totally respect that no journey is without its own bumps and bruises. Keep blogging on and thank you for always bring a smile to my face.
Your blog or even your Facebook page is 'you'. What you or I write in our spaces is entirely up to us. I do enjoy reading your posts,but I also realize that your life is no bed of roses,as most of ours are not. Keep on sharing what it is you want to share.
Your blog spreads happiness, joy and LOVE. And that is REAL.
sharing information that is not really true to make their lives seem better,........ this is something common & true especially on FB.
you shine your big, bright, smiling light here in every post, whether you share a pic of yourself or chuck or not. and it brings us joy when you share your excitement of seeing, experiencing, tasting, knitting everything. :) love you, debbie.
i'm not surprised that some people see blogging and/or Facebook as a competition as some people see EVERYTHING as a competition. I have never considered you as being one of them! I always feel you are sharing parts of your life out of kindness and love. Keep on sharing as I enjoy what you have to say and show us!
You always share such fun and lovely photos and your smile always brings a smile to my face. I love that the blogs and facebook has allowed me to travel to places I have never been and see things out of the eyes of others and share my love of all sorts of crafting with others. I do notice there are some on facebook that use it as a platform to object to everything they don't like and it just brings a person down. I have so enjoyed your travels and your beautiful knitting projects, that is what sparked me to share my vacation and our trip to the gardens, thought others might like to see places that they may not be able to get to in their part of the world. Keep doing what your doing, and love the picture of the back of your two snuggling on the beach, that needs to be framed :)
I live with MS too, and also prefer to remember my good days and the joy that life brings. Love the last pic of you two.
I read your words with great interest, having come across one of your comments on another blogger's page, and wondering what a visit might bring. Balance in all things, I think, but overall, I, too, like to keep my posts full of the happy events in my life. MS is tough. That you can celebrate the good days is something I really admire. And, the two photos of you and your hubby warmed my heart!
Lindo gostei de ver este belo casal.
Um abraço e bom fim de semana.
http://andarilharar.blogspot.pt/
Translated: Gorgeous enjoyed seeing this beautiful couple. Best wishes and good weekend.
I love coming to your blog and reading about your life and I know that what you write here is not your whole life. It's what you want to share; the joys of your life not the downside, which we all have. I'm sorry to hear that you have MS. Many of your days most be very difficult. Your joyful attitude is an inspiration to me.
Debbie, I totally get it, and I see your writing and photos as honest, forthright, and full of your joie de vivre -- despite being in the grips of this MonSter!
Debbie, I totally get it, and I see your writing and photos as honest, forthright, and full of your joie de vivre -- despite being in the grips of this MonSter!
Amazing post Debbie.
I always enjoy my visits to your blog, reading about the good things you've done, places you visit, special moments which mean so much. I'm a firm believer in being positive, although at times it's not easy.
Your posts, your photo's are so good to read.
Those two photo's are just lovely.
I'm going to repeat what an earlier comment said because it is so true ...
" Your blog spreads happiness, joy and LOVE. And that is REAL." ... and I am so pleased I found you and your blog.
All the best Jan
Amazing post Debbie.
I always enjoy my visits to your blog, reading about the good things you've done, places you visit, special moments which mean so much. I'm a firm believer in being positive, although at times it's not easy.
Your posts, your photo's are so good to read.
Those two photo's are just lovely.
I'm going to repeat what an earlier comment said because it is so true ...
" Your blog spreads happiness, joy and LOVE. And that is REAL." ... and I am so pleased I found you and your blog.
All the best Jan
I agree with everyone, Debbie, do not give that article a second thought. We all know life is full of ups and downs and you are truly an inspiration to all of us. I look forward to all of your posts, your blog that I only occasionally get to see through my email, as I do not have much time for email anymore, but I still like to see what you put in here; so yes, I do check it once in awhile. My life would be completely dreary if it wasn't for your posts and pictures as it seems like I do nothing but work. So keep it coming! Those of us who know you, realize your life has its struggles, too, so you keep everything in perspective and gives us the boost to keep forging ahead despite what life throws at us!!! Kudos to you, Deb, I love you :)
What a wonderful post, Debbie!
You are truly such a wonderful spirit, and inspiration. xo.
I thought about this and wasn't really sure what to say. - First it's odd that someone would feel the need to say that to you at all. - This is your blog and you should be able to put whatever you want on it. - I'm sure anyone who reads blogs knows that people don't have (picture perfect) lives or they should realize that. - Yes sometimes reading about what people go through can be helpful but like you said sharing your joy is important to you and for someone not to understand that is just wrong. - You just keep doing what you've been doing and don't worry about anyone else.
I like the real you just fine. :) Love the photos.
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