I began blogging one year ago on January 15th.  I never set out to blog.  I tried it at the insistence of a friend and found myself compelled to continue.  I have written a post almost every week for 52 weeks.  This is my 50th post.  It has taken a lot of time to write these posts.  At times, when I have allowed myself to drop down into my feelings, it has been painful to write them.  These posts do not contribute towards my career.  I do not share them with family or friends.  But none of this seems to dissuade me.  I continue to write them and occasionally wonder why. 

When I started blogging, I knew what I wanted to write, but I did not how to categorize or tag my posts.  My posts are not informational; I am not engaged in a discussion of religion, spiritual beliefs, creative writing or psychology.  But I am not journaling in these posts either; I am not just poring out the details of my week in a random way.  It was only recently that I realized that, for me, blogging has become a spiritual practice.

Each week, I try to find a quiet hour to blog.  I almost never know what I am going to write until I begin.  I do it in the spirit of Deena Metzger’s book, “Writing for your Life”.  But I also do it as a spiritual practice modelled by a shamanic teacher who taught us that our spiritual evolution is tied to our personal development.   

These posts have helped me to process my life  They have provided me with a venue to explore thoughts and feelings in a way that is not always allowed or welcomed in our society. They have forced me to find words for feelings that are messy and complex and difficult to convey.  They have allowed me to examine my life in the context of my spiritual beliefs.  They have allowed me to give voice to thoughts and feelings that I needed to express.

These posts have helped me to find my voice.  They have given me a safe place to express myself and to be heard.  They have given me the opportunity to reach like-minded souls who are struggling with similar circumstances, experiences and feelings in their lives.  People who are trying to make sense of their lives; people who are trying to live with a sense of purpose; people who are trying to become more loving people, to hang on to the light, by working through the pain, fears, disappointments and challenges presented by life. 

These posts have brought new friends into my life.  They have elicited affirmations, encouragement, empathy and support from people I have never met in person.  People who are wise, compassionate, empathetic and caring.  People who have given me strength and hope on dark days.  People who have shared in my joy and pleasure on good days.  People who have celebrated my victories and shared in my pain.  

I thought that blogging would be an empty experience; one of superficial self-absorption and isolation.  But I have found it to be quite the opposite.  It has become a spiritual practice; a time to connect with myself; a time to reflect upon my life; a time to connect with others who are engaged in a similar process.  What a beautiful surprise!!

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