The Followers Thing, Part 2

The response to my post on The Case of the Missing Followers 

generated a lot more conversation

 than I ever anticipated, so I thought I'd add a few new thoughts here. 

Well, new for me, at least! 

I'm learning that there's not much one can do 

in the blogging world that hasn't been done

 before (and usually better), so just bear with me

as I re-invent the wheel here.

Okay, so way back when, I promised that I'd always 

try to be brutally honest, even at the expense of my so-called reputation. 

This time is no different.

I've confessed to unabashed booth envy, s

o I might as well own up to suffering the occasional bout of blog envy as well. 

There are just sooooo many insanely talented folks here in our midst 

that it's been known to bring out the ugly little inner green beast on occasion. 

But it's not the sort of envy that creates a "why her, not me?" mentality....

rather, the kind that inspires and motivates me 

to create better content and to just be an all-around better blogger.

So when I see a top-notch blog with an abundance of followers, 

it's an encouraging sign! It reaffirms my conviction that the cream usually rises to the top, 

and that excellence is recognized and rewarded.

Which leads me to why we blog in the first place
and what we hope to achieve from it.

While some of us incorporate career aspirations into our blogging (guilty as charged),
many blog simply for the joy and fulfillment it brings.
Both are valid reasons, and I'd like to think that I'm a combination of the two.

My backstory: for many, many years, writing has been my first love.

In a perfect world, I'd have finished up a journalism degree
rather than going into medicine, which is not to take anything away from what I do for a living;
I love my job and my patients, but as I've said before,
writing feeds a need deep within me that nothing else ever has.
But would I love to also be able to earn a living through my writing?
Heck, yeah!

Likewise, I've had a passion for decorating and antiques and junking for ages,
so I'm thrilled to be able to combine these two passions in one venue.
But again, would I love to be able to earn a living as a shop owner?
I think we all know the answer to that one!

Through blogging, I've also discovered a newfound passion 

I never dreamed I would embrace so fervently... photography and photo editing. 

Who knew it could be so darn much fun? 

Not me, so that's been an unexpectedly pleasant surprise along the way.

But the greatest joy of blogging thus far has been the friends 

I've been fortunate enough to make. If I lost every follower I have tonight, 

I'd still count it as a gain for the friendships I've been blessed with. 

I won't name names, because there are just way too many of you to single out a handful, 

and to list them all would take all night. 

But just know that I'm a better person having "met" you, 

even if we haven't come face to face yet. 

We will, God will make a way.

This post feels like one big, long ramble, so I'm hoping it doesn't read as one! 

I'm hoping to tie things up in a pretty burlap bow here in just a bit!

A thought I wanted to incorporate into this post 

was the saying "To thine own self be true..."

That speaks to me in how it pertains to blogging, 

because I feel that being authentic and transparent are two key ingredients 

to connecting with readers.

The adjective crafty will never be used in conjunction with my name, believe me! 

So if I attempt to mimic my uber talented friend Dawn at The Feathered Nest, 

you savvy folks will see right through me 

and high-tail it over to the genuine article. And rightfully so!

I can only be the best Anne, and trying to be a pale imitation of anyone else 

is a plan doomed to failure. If you deem me worthy of following, 

I want it to be because you genuinely like me (channeling Sally Field here, folks), warts and all.

I can hear snoring in the cheap seats, 

so it's time to pull the plug here!

Again, thank you for your friendship, 

your comments, your inspiration, and above all,

for changing my life for the better.

That is what blogging has meant to me!

~Anne