I’ve been giving some thought to the word blog. Where it came from? What it means? How it sounds (Ick!) What I think about the word?
The original meaning of the word blog meant a chronicle or a written diary (web log – blog). That was then. But this is now. Blogging has evolved for the private individual and the enterprising soul.
Blogging has become a personal highly interactive form of communication. Where not only our written thoughts and ideas are shared, but also our creative muse, whatever format this takes.
The new breed of individual blogger cares, and wants to be nurtured in return with comments and words that will further them along in their endeavors, their hopes, their dreams, their goals, their disappointments, their pain, their successes, their joy, their laughter. Blogging has become much more than a written diary but now is a personal connection and a medium of exchange in the finest, truest and most meaningful manner.
I think that blogging and bloggers are pretty wonderful. But the word, I’m convinced it’s not the true word to describe who we are and what we do.
And then it dawned on me. There are a couple of letters missing from the word blog. So I’ve added them and here they are:
BLOG + E and N= BELONG
Belong. That’s how I feel when I sit down to write, upload a photograph or share some thoughts, ideas, art, music, food, anything. I feel connected. And when I’m reading other people’s words or viewing their visual images I’m filled with a feeling of making a difference with my comments. And when I read their comments to me that inspire and make me feel better about myself, then I feel a part of something enriching and vibrant. I finally feel I’ve found a place where I fit in, where I – belong!
And now in closing a final photo of my guys who define belonging.
The Why About This 
The top picture doesn’t work, unfortunately.
I agree. Or maybe the whole lot is missing two letters – WE BELONG 🙂
There I think it’s all better now, I reinserted it. Just a photo of my computer 🙂
Yep, it works 🙂
🙂
Great post, and I LOVE that picture.
Thank you, one of my favorites also.
I have had many varied ‘social interactions’ in my life but never ever ever have I been part of a collective of like-minded, talented, empathetic, caring, encouraging, loving, intelligent, varied and awesomely unique individuals!
It continues just take me by surprise (and sometimes tears of joy) when I read comments left to me or to the fellow ‘belongers’ I’ve had the priviledge to follow so far.
Beautifully written and so very very true! Thank you for putting a name to what we all have felt here!
Hugs&Blessings!
Thank you Christina, this means so much to me coming from you. 🙂
So cleverly written. I love this…and the photo too!
Thank you Patty! Hoping those migraines become fewer for you soonest. Hope your day is going well for you and yours.
I agree with everyone’s comments. I certainly feel enriched and inspired every time I read your posts. I am in awe of your thought about BLOG + E and N= BELONG. Thank you, Penny!
Thank You Amy, this is what I’m speaking of. This great interaction between like minded caring people. Thanks for the kind words.
I don’t mean to promote my post, but I did mention a presentation that I think you may be interested. Here is the post http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/its-an-age-of-vast-promise/. I made a link to the presention about “An age of vast promise”.
Thank you. Yes, I agree with you. This is a wonderful medium for letting people know you care about them. Thanks for being a nurturer…they are so very much needed today!
Great post, it really encapsulates how i feel as well about the whole blooging thing as well. I am also proud to be a nurturer!
Thanks Robyn, your praise means a lot to me. I like to think my context allows the meaning to be interpreted according to each persons reference point. At least I work towards that goal. With that in the back of my mind I pretty much just write what I’m thinking and how I’m feeling on a given subject. Again thanks, I hope your day is proceeding in a smooth and gentle way.
Oh my, Oh my, Oh my… Penny this is a fabulous post!! You have captured the essence of exactly what this endeavor has meant for me. I will need to share this on my Facebook Page so all my friends and family can gain better insight into this world I’ve inhabited. So agree that you are very talented at expressing powerful messages using minimal words… so appreciate you friend ~ Much Love and good wishes your way today ~
I love the way you think. It is a wonderful thing this sense of belonging to the blogging community.
Thank you Michelle I appreciate your kind words. I agree. Here’s hoping this is a good day for you. 🙂
You summed that up beautifully. Great detective work!
We BELONG 🙂
Hi Rosy, I’m pretty sure we “bloggers” feel the ‘belong’ aspect of blogging just happen to be stuck with the word blog. I do so which it had a more melodic sound to it, though! Thank you for your kind comments, hope this day is a good one for you.
So far – so good on the day. Hope yours is a good one too! 🙂
Thanks.
It definitely was shortened by someone along the way. I am now convinced 🙂 – WP spell check underlines ‘blog’ in red every time I type it! How odd, I used to think. But now I know why.
Thank you Lesley, Yes I agree with the “underlining” thing. As you stated, even WP spellcheck knows it’s not spelled correctly. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, have a great day!
I laugh because as for the spellcheck – If you have posts with spelling errors WordPress eliminates them as candidates for ‘Freshly Pressed’ – I have yet to have a post that has no spelling errors according to their dictionary 🙂
Brilliant! I wanted to say everything my blogging~friend BoomieBol said, she always beats me on the comments LOL
thanks Len, that’s happened to me a time or too. Much appreciated, hope your day is going well for you!
When I first read some of your posts I was amazed how you could come up with so many great ideas in so few words.
Now I am no longer amazed because I am sure it is just U. One can’t keep up the quality of writing unless it is just them.
I like the BeLOnG idea. I don’t think I am quite there yet……to be honest. I think I can do the blog part, but the belong part has not come yet.
Note to myself: Quit looking at my stats. 😦
Thank you, mixedupmeme, for your very nice comments, if you’re not there yet, you’re awfully close. You and I found each others blog site, started reading and sharing each others posts and now we are commenting, in a comfortable but personal way about what has been written and how we feel. There is a connection happening, even as you comment and I back to you. It’s a cool feeling. Keep posting and commenting, I will enjoy & follow. (ps – I look at the stats too – sometimes more frequently than I should!) 😀
You don’t know how much the back and forth means to me.
Yes, actually I do. Your words are special and meaningful to me. Making my day a little brighter with our personal comments to each other.
I agree with the commenter above, brilliant. Blogging has given a lot of people a platform to nurture their creativity, communicate with people they otherwise might have never met in the realworld and encourage others…you are right in that it gives many of us a sense of belonging. This is a great post
Thank you boomie, I believe the comments I’m receiving on this particular posting proves the point. I applaud all of the bloggers who are reaching out and finding each other. This is great feeling. Hope you’re having a good one. 🙂
Brilliant post!
Thank you Stephan, your comment is appreciated.
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words and your thoughts on the subject. It is wonderfully amazing to me how really interactive and caring everyone is here. You have a great day too. 🙂
brilliant post! i love the way you have summed up this world of blogging i have not been here long but what you have put here is how i feel, i am still surprised to see how much people care and its lovely, i think belong is the perfect way to describe this 🙂 have an excellent day 🙂 xx