One Year of Blogging Brings...

In the year since Beginning to Blog I have discovered so much. Sometimes I feel like a Pirate~ss sailing a stealthy ship, I've collected so much that the hold is bursting at the seams...The treasures I've collected are diverse and so very precious.

I have cast aside my fear of the technological. Though I still do not "love", or sometimes even like, the internet and all it encompasses, I am comfortable with learning how to do some of the techie tasks that keep this blog current. Some HTML, embedding and codes...A year ago I would have said a widget was something cruel and childish. I have taught myself, through teaching myself to use this medium, that I can be taught. That, (if you follow what I mean!) has been one of the most valuable lessons...

I have discovered a passion for photography...I have always dabbled but now...Now I am learning to get the artistic look I want in the photos I take. I have learned the value of "jumping in" and "just doing it"...I have found that I am apt enough to figure out the settings I need. I do not need the camera on automatic, or aperture priority. I am fully manual and that has made me proud and confident. I can get beautiful results with film and digital cameras. It gives me the courage to begin learning to use a darkroom next...

I have learned to express myself better. Both written and spoken words...While I still "blush" when I speak (I'm blushing now because I thought of it!) my words are stronger and more succinct. So the blush fades faster as I am not searching and stumbling...Next to get over the public speaking PHOBIA...Toastmasters is on the "To Do" list of 2010, though I may save this for December 30th or so... ;)

There are many important little things in the hold too. My favourite lip balm came to me through an exchange with a glittery type of girl very early in this undertaking...A beautiful birthday card from a beautiful lady...A book, the sending of which has touched my heart because the gesture was so encouraging...An exchange that left me with two cool urchin beads and kind words about a piece of my artwork...A comment inquiring about my "sad" words...A message with an email address for better communications...

But...

The Best MOST Wonderfullest thing about the year since beginning blogging is YOU. You and your words (your comments and your blog posts) have taught me that the world isn't as bad as I had thought. People are kinder, more generous and good willed than I ever could have known without this blog.

Everyday now I wake up to a kinder Earth.

An Earth where people are willing to connect and encourage. Where kind words are commonplace, and the gestures follow. That is the most amazing gift I've ever been given. The proof that good, great, people are everywhere...Just waiting to improve life, lives...

Thank you from the very depth of my heart♥ and soul for allowing me to awake with a smile because I know someone out there has inspiring words, photos, deeds to share which everyday improve my view of humankind. I needed hope, and You've given me some.
xoxox
♥