Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Psst—Does This Make My Blog Look Substantial?


When I heard the news that I was going to be an official “Blogger of Note” (BON) at Words of Wisdom (WOW) today, I was flattered to think that anyone would consider anything I have to say to be substantial. WOW is right. BONs mots, moi??! For a while I was left positively typeless. Click the WOW link above or the typewriter link on the sidebar to get to this great place that helps “bloggers of substance” to find one another!

When you connect with a person through writing, you know you are the truest of kindred spirits. That’s what happened with the person who nominated me, Becky Povich. We first met through our writing, but Becky is one of those people whose warm, fun spirit shines though both in writing and in person. Now when we occasionally get together for a cup of coffee, we usually end up laughing so hard that coffee comes out our noses (well, okay, mostly mine). So thank you to Becky, who was a BON herself on Monday.

This blog has changed a lot since its inception, and it’s still changing. Life is like that, though, right? It was originally a way to help me connect with others who shared a particular set of difficult circumstances, but a funny thing happened. The more I launched my message that I will survive into the sea of blogdom, the easier it became to survive. We’re all, of course, surviving something. Sometimes we do it by being silly, and sometimes by being serious, and sometimes by just trying to figure it all out. That’s the art of being broken: as soon as we celebrate the brokenness, it ceases to be truly broken and becomes merely…art. Isn’t life wonderful?!

So now this blog is less about being broken and more about being silly and being serious and trying to figure it all out. It’s about the art, about writing. No, that’s not quite true…it’s about rewriting. It’s about taking a look at the poopy things in life and saying, I will rewrite this. Not rewrite it in a way that changes the truth or covers bad behavior, because that’s how evils are allowed to flourish in the first place. But rewrite it in a way that tries to find the art in it. Art that heals.

That’s the intent, anyway.

I’ve loved words as long as I can remember and have tried to embrace that love as long as I could grip a pencil. Even though my topics are all over the place, I’m trying to keep certain ones scheduled for certain days so that it’s easier to skip what doesn’t appeal to you. I hope you are, in some way, a kindred spirit.

Because it’s our link with one another that is the sea, the art, the hope, the healing, and the divine. Thank you for bothering to reach out, however briefly, and read my little message. Thank you for casting your own laughter and wisdom into the sea for me to find (and I cherish them!—just read the quotes). And thank you to Sandy and Pam for not only helping us to find one another, but for making my random, bobbing “bloggle”…oooh!...could it be??!! More substantial.

-Tammy (wish I knew how to do those cool signatures! I’m shamefully tech-challenged. So just imagine one, ‘k?)


WOW is a place for bloggers who enjoy reading and writing great content to find each other. ~Sandy and Pam, Words of Wisdom

21 comments:

  1. Oh, yay! I'm the first one to comment and congratulate you, just like you did for me! Thanks for the sweet words about me, too, dear kindred spirit of a wild and crazy girl friend! Have a wonderful BON Day!!

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  2. WOW! I think we are a quote today! I find that very flattering and thank you for your kinds words about Words of Wisdom. We hope you have a fabulous day.

    Sandy (half of WOW)

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  3. What a cute post. I love the look of your blog. And that Ray Bradbury quote is perfect. Thank you.

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  4. Congrats on being a BON, dear Tam. What a wonderful post. Love the quote, and adore the picture! I'm so glad your kind, loving, and very talented spirit has touched mine. Teri

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  5. I'm becoming one of your new followers, hope you don't mind. But how could I not after such a well written post. Congrats, Ms BON :)

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  6. Tammy,
    Congratulations! You have an official BON because your posts always seem to have been dipped in glitter, they sparkle with words of wisdom and humor and they always catch the eye, the heart the soul.

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  7. Congrats on your BON status! It's so great to discover new blogs through WOW. I'm following and I'll return.

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  8. Congratulations on your day. Very nice to meet you. I will be back.

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  9. I'm here from WOW and so glad to find you. I really enjoyed reading your lovely writing. I'll be back.

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  10. P.S. I love the Mary Oliver quote. Actually I love everything about Mary Oliver. :-)

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  11. This has been sort of like a virtual birthday party...only without the aging part! Becky, thanks for the BON day and being you. The world needs a bigger dose of Becky, so get that book done quickly. Sandy, thank you again and glad you enjoyed being an official quote. Thanks, Jenny, and you are one talented writer. Ter, thanks for not only discovering that I'm not really obsessed with toast, but for showing up and commenting...and mostly for being one of those people I feel so grateful for knowing. Jules, I'm thrilled and flattered! Thank you! Linda, you have a way with words that is magical and are a lot of fun to boot. Welcome, Katie, and I'm so happy you stopped by! Just Breathe, very nice to meet you, too, and thank you! I'm still working on checking out all of YOUR amazing blogs, too. What fun!!

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  12. Congratulations on being a BON! I like the idea of rewriting the "poopy" things in life. Boy, have I got my work cut out for me!

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  13. Thanks, Pat. Here's to no more poopy.

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  14. I appreciate your nice comments, Deb. And thank you for reminding me that I've been meaning to read Mary Oliver's poetry. I just found that quote somewhere and love it so much.

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  15. Congrats on your BON day. I'm enjoying your varied posts, and the way you can keep so many of them really short. That's a good skill to have!

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  16. Congratulations on your BON day! I surfed about a bit and really enjoyed reading around here but I have just got to say, the 10 things for losers to do at Easter had my coffee on my keyboard. The photo alone killed me. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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  17. Congrats to you, fellow BON! Can't wait to get to know you better...

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  19. Okay, trying this again without the mixed up words this time.... Thanks, Blissed-Out! And thank you aworkinprogress and Melissa B.! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Awork, you really touched my heart, because I thought no one liked my favorite post. Looking forward to checking out your blogs!

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  20. Came over via your BON award which I found through Meg at The Members Lounge who I found through BlogHer and..... I just love the interweb! Your photos are fabulous, your quotes are thought-provoking and your writing.. oh, my dear, your writing is just delicious.
    a/b

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  21. Ashleigh, your comments are delicious. And so very appreciated!

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