Aug 5, 2008

A Minute of Reflection

Jenn at Sweet Pea Stitches has written a post on her blog that has hit home with me, and I whole-heartedly agree with. I encourage the stitching community to take a few minutes and read what she has to say and consider the impact of what a few kind words can do.

Have you ever seen an award on a blog that says: “If I read your blog, consider yourself awarded” or “If you read this, consider yourself awarded.”? First, how would I know if you read my blog if you don’t leave comments? Secondly, how many people would actually “take” an award and post it to their blog. Could you see me making a post that says: “I visited so-and-so’s blog and she said since I visited, I could take the award for myself, so here goes!” I think not.

Kind words come in the form of a comment left, a link to someone’s blog, or passing on an award. It’s easy to just say “if you read my blog, consider yourself awarded.” or “I can’t just pick 5/7/9”. It takes less time to pick a few blogs or make a few comments, than it does to put together an exchange item. Yet, the impact is the same... You’ve made someone’s day. And it only takes a minute.

With the closing of LNS’s and large box stores reducing inventory of stash, our stitching community is becoming smaller. It’s up to us to encourage and keep it alive. You can do that by leaving comments, passing on awards according to the “rules”, or taking time to post to a group. RAK’s and PIF’s are nice, too, but let’s not forget the online interaction. It only takes a minute.

When I started my blog, it was for me to keep track of what was going on in my life and to show off my stitching. I never dreamed that I’d have a “following”. Nor did I write it for that purpose. Based on emails and comments I receive, it seems I do have a small fan club (For the life of me, I know not why!) Whenever I get an email or comment telling me how much they like my blog, it makes me feel good. It only took a minute.

I don’t have many “finishes” to show off and I don’t participate in a lot of exchanges due to time constraints, but I do take time to visit blogs and give encouragement if I can. Hopefully, I can make a positive impact on someone’s life, even for a minute. Everyone likes positive reinforcement and a little brightness to their day. Since we can’t see the other person, How do we know they’re not having a bad day and that ONE comment may turn it around? It only takes a minute.

Who knows? Maybe something I say will impact another in a positive way, and I love that thought! So go ahead... “enable”, uplift, and encourage another. It only takes a minute.

20 comments:

Terry said...

I read Jenn's post and agree with her and you. You both have nailed it; an award or a comment makes the recipient aware that their blog is read and appreciated. We all have busy lives but it's nice to stop for a minute or two to read what's going on in our friend's lives. I don't have a lot of finishes but I sure have fun trying to get there! Glad you survived the bad weather with minimal damage to the yard.

Stitcher said...

Well said Meari.

Hugs Chris

Anonymous said...

Amen!

I enjoy reading blogs and leaving comments. And, who knows, maybe one of these days I'll start one of my own. LOL

Carolyn NC said...

So true! Glad you escaped the worst part of the storm.

window into our life of love, joy, and adventures! said...

I read and agree whole heartedly with what was written! I try to up lift someone everyday for you really don't know what kind of day they are having!
I learned this lesson years ago and I have never forgotten about it. A close friend has a dd that I loved and one day out of the blue I called her instead of Mom......months later dd confided in me and told me that because of my phone call her thoughts of committing suicide were changed because she saw that there were people who did care.
So as busy as I am I try to reach out and say hi, even in the blogging world! But you have reminded me that I can do much much better!
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy reading blogs, especially yours Meari, but I'm guilty of only the occasional comment. I guess I thought people would think "Who is that?" I love being part of the stitching community and will try to be a better citizen. Thanks for the push!Nancy D.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Very, very well said!

imnverted said...

Hear, Hear!!

leaving comments on other's posts is helping me come out of a shell. Plus its so wonderful when I receive comments in return on projects Im working on.

Spread the warm fuzzies!

Velda said...

well put. And just for the record, several times you have said something to me that has helped and made my day better. Just so you know :)

Barb said...

Well said Meari. I also enjoy reading blogs. Sometimes I comment and sometimes I'm not sure what to say so leave it alone. But I know what you mean. I love reading comments to my blog it makes my day so leaving a comment for someone else may make their day.

Jennifer said...

You were one of the earliers welcomers to the blogging community that I encountered, although for the life of me, i can't remember if you found me or I found you. Not that it matters - just that you stopped by my blog and left a welcoming comment really made my day and helped me feel like a part of something. I know I am not the first you've done that for, and certainly won't be the last, which is probably what accounts for your following.

You have a very warm, welcoming online personality, and it's hard not to connect with someone like that, or feel special that they've noticed you. And you know, I bet you don't even think about it much, it's just part of who you are. :-)

Chiloe said...

I AM your number one fan !!! :-D I always read you but don't have time to comment sometimes ...

About the awards, I felt bad when I didn't get any but I'm still puzzled by then (because I felt bad when I didn't get any - and in that way, I understand people who don't want to choose). I still don't know what to think about them because some people don't get them and I feel bad for them. I prefer to support a blog by leaving a comment to the person. Like you, I feel a compliments on a progress, a support when the person doesn't feel well is better than an award. anyway, it's an interesting topic.

Lisa said...

This kind of post makes me come back for *more*. I enjoyed Jen's post, too, Meari, so much so that I posted in response to it. It is really thought provoking.

Remember, its the *little* things that matter: the heartfelt comments, taking the time out for that personal interaction, supporting each other...thank you. :-)

Nic said...

I must admit I don't comment as often as I'd like to on people's blogs. Part of that is because I use a reader, so it isn't straightforward to comment and the other is the time issue. I feel bad just saying 'well done' or 'that looks lovely' - what is it adding? Perhaps I need to reduce the numbers of blogs I read and to use a blog roll ...

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

I have always believed that giving someone a compliment or just a simple hello or smile could change someones day.
I fully agree with you all on this one.

I guess that is why when it was my birthday and the 9-11 attacks hit that same day.... that I have always asked others to give someone else my birthday gift of a smile, hello, general greeting that would make their day.

You never know when the person you are about to make smile... is on the verge of suicide, murder or even a event not of their control that will change them or us forever.

Nancy M said...

Great point Meari, I try and leave comments to every blog that I read. I know how much I enjoy reading comments on mine, I hope that leaving my comments makes that person feel the same way. I think you get to know the person better if you send multiple comments and continue following their blog.

Jenna said...

You're right. Even a quick comment can really brighten my day. It's just nice to know that someone's reading sometimes and that we're not chatting away into the ether...

Sharon said...

You know I am one of those people who was awarded and didn't give any in return. I comment quite a bit and though I have no problem with the idea of uplifting other blogs-trying to pick 5 out of the 160 plus I have in my google reader is hard.

However, I think in the future I will link more blogs as I post! I like everyone else love to get comments. Passing on the award is a nice thing to do-but having people come back over and over again and commenting is one of the highest compliments you can receive.

Shebafudge said...

You are so right! I love reading your blog and will leave more comments on the ones I read. Thank you for sharing your life with us all!

Kathy said...

Amen to that!!!