When asked by an older gentleman how he could start to learn traditional Chinese painting, Tao Ming Kang of Suzhou of the New District Shishan Community Center simply answered, “to start you must have already started.” My efforts with blogging are the same. To start I must have already started. I started journaling in 7th grade (1975). I had three volumes written by the time I was 40ish. They were stolen from my car; though I would love to have them again I am sure there are things in them that are better forgotten.
“Blogging” what is blogging and why should have I started before? Well, it is a modern trend. It is a way to get the world (or a small piece of it) to know you. It is a livelihood for many. It is a way to spread new ideas – both good and bad. It is a place to promote those who you think are deserving. It is a place to beat someone over the head with simplicity and mind numbingly narrow views. These beg the question: what is blogging to me? As you can see from my mission, I don’t take the obvious, common routes towards… well life.
In the early 2000s, I did a Native American sweat lodge weekend. It was taught by an Alaska area tribal elder. At the end of the weekend, he offered me the following advice. He said I was like a person standing with one foot each in two different canoes; it will be hard to make forward progress until I decide which one I belong in and let the others drift away. Well not sure I am now or ever will be ready for just one canoe but, I do have a mission to help focus me – a little. 🙂
So let us see what inspires me as the days – weeks – months pass. Maybe, there will be more here. Maybe this is all you will ever see. Maybe, there will be something magical that will surprise you. The only way for you to know is to check back from time to time. I look forward to your visits.
Dale Strickler 