Grow Your Blog: Why I Share

I'm taking a quick time out from my California Dreaming posts to join in a wonderful opportunity to Grow My Blog hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full. I don't remember how I came across this Linky party but it seemed exactly what I needed right now. It's a funny thing writing a blog. I started this journey after seeing Lucy at Attic 24 and her wonderful blog about crochet. She writes as if she's talking to a friend and shares her world with her readers. Through her I discovered many other blogs that I read on a daily basis. I have always loved England and have been able to travel there a couple of times. One of the things about blogging that is so appealing is the ability to make connections with people on the other side of the world - and also right down the road. IT HAS BEEN A JOY!

So... I jumped in. Wholeheartedly. Finding people to follow me and read along was not necessarily that important to me. I've been on Facebook for years and I KNOW the people on there. They really are FRIENDS. Some who I see on a regular basis and some who I haven't seen in years. I thought they would automatically follow me on my blog - no problem. But, that hasn't happened. Some of my very best friends NEVER read my blog. However, I have some friends who ALWAYS read and just leave their comments to me on Facebook, which is WONDERFUL.  I really underestimated how IMPORTANT it is to think that someone, ANYONE is reading what I write. I've read all kinds of articles on growing my followers and I've tried several of them. Last year I sort of fizzled out... stopped writing. But The Drowsy Bee was always there pulling to me to write again.

I have started again! This time I'm trying to do things differently and for different reasons.

Why I Share:

- I have something to say. I have ideas, thoughts, inspirations, things I want to get out!
- I've always wanted to keep a journal or record of things I have accomplished and/or goals I have set.
- I love beautiful photography and I want to develope my skills.
- I want to REACH people - make connections with people.
- I want to be able to share my love of Jesus with people who may not know what He's all about.

I read a blog called Lark and Bloom written by Elizabeth and she talks about comparing yourself and your blog to others. How this is so easy to do and why we do this. It's not constructive. It's not what God wants us to do. I am working on this. I want to have this space be something that I am proud of, that others can enjoy, and something that glorifies God. This is going to be my goal for the year. To figure out WHAT I'm going to share and HOW I'm going to share it.

Thank you for taking the time to visit me in this journey. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you Vicki for giving the small bloggers a way to grow.  Most importantly, THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING ME! You are SO important to me and I am so grateful that you take the time to stop by and see what's going on here. Thank you for hitting the FOLLOW button!  And Thank you for leaving a quick comment. It really brightens my day!

Blessings to you all!