belong | The Why About This

One year of residing in the greatest,

creative and supportive artist’s colony of all

Blogland!

I wrote 2 blogs in 2011, one blog in February, 2012 and began “officially blogging on June 23rd, 2012. This is what I wrote to all of you on that day, one year ago. It stands as true today as it did one year ago.

WHY DO I CARE?

Well now that’s an interesting heading, “Why do I care?” I guess the next question should be “What do I care about?”

The answer to both is a simple one. I care because I just do. In some innate way I feel myself as one human being on a planet filled with human beings that it is my right and responsibility to care about all things that impact me, mine, and ours. That includes everyone out there, everywhere. All the rest is about what and how I care to make things happen that improves our lot in life.

At least I give it my best shot. Some days I do really well in the caring department. Other days not so well. But each day is a new day to do a better job in the caring arena, and so it goes. I guess the next best questions are “Do you care?” and depending on your answers “why?”

“Caring is akin to being human, at least I’d like to think so” – *pennyquote

Posted on June 23rd, 2012

Thank you, every single one of you bloggers out there (and you very special ones – you know who you are) for all your support and love.

Thank you for caring, thank you for sharing your amazing and wonderful diversity of creativity, thank you for becoming my friend and most of all – Thank you for BEING YOU!

It’s because of you, I feel like I belong to a special group (bloggers)! please take my I BeLOnG poster with you when you leave,

I’d be honored if you would place it on your blog site – My own colored sketch that I drew, and then designed for all bloggers, everywhere – it’s yours (no linking – this is a gift)!

All my love,

~ Penny

To All my fellow Bloggers’

I wrote a post awhile back called Why I blog. In it I mentioned that the original meaning of the word blog was a chronicle or a written diary (web log – blog), but I also stated that I believed blogging had evolved.

The new breed of bloggers are a creative group of people who care and want 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. Now it is a personal connection between like-minded people and a medium of exchange in the finest, truest and most meaningful manner.

So I decided there were a few letters missing from the word BLOG. Those letters are ‘e’ and ‘n’ when blended with the word BLOG you get the word BeLOnG. This is the word that I feel describes the blogging community. A place where we belong. That’s how I feel when I write a post, upload a photograph, share music, videos, recipes, anything that I want to share. When I hit the publish button I feel I’m a part of something so much bigger than I. I feel I’m making a difference.

When I follow and visit other bloggers I feel connected. When I read their posts and share in the comments then I know I’m a part of something enriching and vibrant. I finally feel I’ve found a place where I fit in. Where I belong.

In the last several weeks I have been honored in a variety of ways and I am humbled by the caring appreciation bestowed upon me by this wonderful community of bloggers.

The response I have received from all of you is gratifying and overwhelming: Reblogs, the links sharing me on twitter and Facebook, the mentions on other blogs, an original poem dedicated to me, (thank you again mixedupmeme) the wonderful comments, the nominated blogger awards (I apologize I am behind there, I think there’s 4 or 5 more to go!). I am so grateful.

I wanted to do something special for all of you. I wanted to give you a gift. Something to give to you that you could share in return.

My gift to you is the gift of Belonging Award. There are no rules. It is yours to take if you wish and share it in return with other bloggers when they visit your blog. Pass it along, that’s why I made it. To remind all bloggers they do belong. That’s it’s purpose.

To those who Blog, I honor you, you belong to the Blogger’s community.

Please accept this gift of Belonging Award. There are no rules. Just post it on your blog, share it with your followers and enjoy!

The picture I sketched some time ago. He is a Troubadour. In the middle ages the troubadour was a traveler. A talented and clever person who wrote and sang songs and shared stories with those he met in his travels, A little bit like bloggers today. Our travel method is a bit different is all. The words at the bottom say I BELONG with the word I BLOG superimposed over it. I hope you’ll share the story of the Troubador when you pass this award on to other bloggers who belong. It does seem to be the one thing we bloggers do well – Share!

With heart felt thanks, Penny