Why I write a blog

Right up front, writing a blog stokes my vanity.  I imagine my viewpoints, although often overlooked are actually what the world needs to pay more attention to.  Besides I express myself entertainingly or at least I find it entertaining.   I feel good just being able to express what I think is right.  Truly that is reason number one.

Another reason is to remember.  As I get older I can regurgitate a lot of old stuff, but everything is fading.  There are lots of unpleasant things and other stuff that bores me, but there is also stuff that changed my life in the right direction or at least made it more enjoyable.  My daughter Heather gave me a book that pointed out the best way to do better in your future is to remember the good and successful things in your past.   This honestly is reason number two

So these two factors drive me:  selfishness and fear.   But there is more.

Sometimes I imagine that my words can actually make a difference.  Change somebody's mind or at least open them  up to other possibilities.  Recently I used a George Bernard Shaw quote in my newsletter  “Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” that had been  retweeted by Butch Bellah.  Well I have changed my mind more than a few times and expect there will be more changes.  The hardest change requires me to admit "I was wrong".  I prefer "I discovered a different point of view and it makes sense."  Including persuading you to spend money to my advantage, changing your mind is reason number three--still very important.

Maturing might be over-rated because admittedly I am still stuck in some old ways of doing things and thinking.  Nostalgia plays a role in my life.  But I am also a bit embarrassed about some things in my past, but you won't have to read about too many of them.  There are lots of exciting and purposeful things to look forward to in the future.

One of the big questions from my viewpoint is "Why?"  Why are we who we are?  Why are you (and they) the way you (and they) are?  We don't usually think about it, but everyone is the result of everything else that happened up to that point.

Another question is How can we get more out of life?  Although you and I are the way we  are  because of things that happened in the past, can we make decisions that make us better and allow us to enjoy life more in the future?

Why now?  I think of September as the beginning of a new year, a new opportunity to change direction, re-examine the past.  You can do that anytime, but it is sometimes easier when you can rig an excuse or the natural order of things reminds you.

I would be derelict if I didn't give some credit to my enabler.  My daughter Heather set up a blog for me one year and although curious I ignored it.  She reminded me of it and with that extra boost I got my feet wet and discovered I really enjoy it.  Thank you Heather.

After all is said and done I am disappointed if I haven't influenced your thinking in any positive manner (that is, closer to how I think), but I am vain enough to just like spouting off and fearful enough that I will forget that I plan to keep on blogging.  Oh, if you see something that you disagree with or you think not worth your time--there is no extra charge.