It has been more than five years now since I ventured into blogging at WordPress. It took me almost a year before I was able to add something to my lone post (a short poem, if I remember) because I didn’t even know how to navigate the site. I didn’t even know how to pick a nice theme that would go with what I planned to write about. Blogging at Friendster and Multiply before opening one at WordPress was quite easy but I was not able to save all my blog posts there when the two platforms bade goodbye for good. Sometimes I wish I could recapture what I wrote there but thoughts are fleeting, you’ll never know what would inspire you, something good enough to share, something good enough to write about, something good enough to inspire others too.
I started Dreams and Escapes because I wanted to share my journey as a cancer patient/survivor. I dreamed of inspiring people who are traveling the same journey with me, maybe not on the same road but with the same destination, that of getting well and living life without that extra baggage of thinking that we are not hundred percent fit. I was pleasantly surprised that a lot of them found my blog and they come back to update me on what is happening in their lives. That alone is one blessing that I treasure so much. Through the years, it has evolved into an online diary (well, sort of). Through the years, I have shared so much of myself through my short posts and I deeply appreciate the views, comments, likes and finding new online friends.
Life is hard. Who said it isn’t? Life is one long journey of faith, hope and dreams. Into each life some rain must fall so they always say. Sometimes though, that bit of rain becomes a deluge and it’s hard to see the sun shining through. Sometimes, you swim into it without knowing how you will reach the shore. Sometimes, you just stare and remember in some distant past how life has been. You wonder how you stayed standing still. You wonder how you got through the storms. You remember the days you cried. You remember the days you laughed with tears of joy.
I always look forward to this day. September 8 is Mama Mary’s birthday in the Catholic calendar. For the past three years, my blog has registered a tremendous leap and all because of my various posts on Mama Mary. WordPress must be wondering where all these viewers are coming from because they have sent three messages since last night saying that my stats are booming and my blog is getting lots of traffic. And all because of Mama Mary. Though one can’t measure how popular or how good a blog is, having more than a thousand viewers at any given day is so amazing.
Life may be hard but the lovely moments always stand out. The meaningful experiences always teach a lesson. Here I am, standing still.
WordPress says:
Well you are a good writer Arlene and you inspire a lot of people. More good health to you!
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Thank you so much Lou! Good health back to you too.
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Praise God! Your journey is inspiring and I am certain your thoughts and feelings, which you have so generously shared, have meant the world to anyone struggling with pain and suffering. Looking into the abyss of the unknown is terrifying and you and others like you are standing in that Abyss lighting the way for others to navigate their way out. I pray abundant blessings upon you as you continue your journey of life!
Tina
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Thank you so much Tina. I am also inspired by your comments. Thank you for the prayers, that mean a lot.
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there’s a lot of wisdom and inspiration drawn from your blogs, Arlene! thanks for sharing such a wonderful gift. keep on blogging!
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Hi lolaWi, thank you!
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Congratulations on five long years of blogging. I am pleased that you ‘found’ my blog, as it means that I am able to share thoughts and ideas with you Arlene. Even though I do not share your religious faith, I am inspired by the power that it gives you. I hope that we both have many more years to enjoy reading about our very different lives.
Best wishes from England as always, Pete.
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Thanks Pete! I do enjoy reading your thoughts too. I draw strength from my Catholic faith.
Five long years of blogging…hopefully I could still blog for another year or two. It’s really nice to meet online friends thru WP, exchanging ideas, learning from each other’s posts and being transported in another world.
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[…] not help but wonder how I was able to stay standing still. Those are my favorite words nowadays, standing still. Standing still amidst the vicissitudes of life, standing still amidst the trying times that you […]
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