A Date With Me

Before any eyebrows start to raise or any inkling of snickering arises, this blog entry has nothing to do with the romantic style of dating. Definition of date: 1) a specified block of time 2) small, oval, dark, tasty fruit that when consumed in great quantities can lead to hurried and frequent trips to the throne where the Sears catalogue may or may not have to  be included. While both definitions apply at my house, this blog entry pertains to the question of why do I blog weekly? Because it's an I Ho Chuan requirement and no, that's not the answer. Yes blogging is one of the IHC requirements, but it's not the reason why I blog, it gives me an excuse to blog. Say what??!!

Journaling is not new to me. In fact, I have been journaling in various forms for many years prior to being on the IHC (then UBBT) team. As for blogs, I had no use for them. Waste of time to read someone's useless drivel on subjects that I could care less about. Then one day, I had this innate urge to start my own blog. Why??? I don't know, just had to and yes, I'd be contributing to the countless blogs of "useless drivel" that were already visible on the internet, but I didn't care. I wanted to write a blog dammit!! The author within wanted to come out! Then along came UBBT with it's "must blog" requirement. Hah!! One goal I know I can achieve. Besides I could put all those English/Grammar classes to good use now.

So why? Blogging/journaling gives a voice to a part of me that is wanting to be expressed. It's giving a voice to that part of me that would otherwise be suppressed and unheard. Suppressed thoughts, feelings, and emotions lead to dis-ease and eventually disease. So yes for me blogging is somewhat therapeutic, but it's also an outlet for my creativity. On my writing "pad" I get to say whatever is on my mind be it a concern, a rant, a thought process, a celebration, a whatever. I write whatever I want (key word is "want" not "should") to say on a subject and because of that my creativity increases flow. Translation: I feel a release, and I feel good. But what if the reader is offended by what I say? Then I have supplied that reader with an opportunity for his/her own thought process, "issue check" and growth. Besides, the reader has full choice to continue reading or not.

However, there is one more important reason as to why I blog. It's a weekly date that I set with me to be me. Come hell or high water, and sometimes the day varies, but every week I have a date with me. Moments of time for me by me. Right now I am watching a gorgeous orangey-red sunrise while writing this blog. Would I see that otherwise? Maybe not but because I am here, I am. That particular piece of me knows and is assured that every week the stage is set and the microphone is on. Here's the really cool, nifty, and trippy part: it's after the blogging process when the surprise is gifted. Often times I have realizations, a-ha's, and ideas that otherwise I would not have. Pretty cool, huh?

Now that I blog, do I read blogs? Yes and no. I subscribe to various blogs that interest me but I don't necessarily read every word, I get the gist and a lot of times there is a recipe attached. However, there is one exception: I do look forward to and read the IHC team (past and present members) blogs vs. getting the  gist. They're personal and I honor that and their courage, openness, and sometimes goofiness. Plus it gives me a change to know them from a different angle that what I see on the mats and that is time well spent.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon