Saturday, March 16, 2013

Anticipation, Fear, and a Goal

Those little red bubbles that pop up. You know the ones, on your iphone. They tell you that you have missed a call, have a voicemail, have notifications on Facebook, tell you a text has arrived and the like. I get those on my phone from time to time.
Don't get me wrong. I like having a cell phone that is "smart" and all, but sometimes I like to choose to be unavailable. Just because I can respond right away doesn't mean that I have to. But I like seeing those little red bubbles nonetheless.

In the past 15 or so days, those little bubbles have begun to hold more anticipation. Especially when they hover over the email symbol. Will it be someone commenting on my slice? Will they think it was silly? A waste of time? Rushed? Well written? Amusing? Insightful? The possibilities are endless.

Last year at this time I was almost paralyzed with fear about linking my very secret blog to a place where a plethora of other people could read and give feedback. This year I am so much more comfortable in my own writing skin and voice. I don't feel the hesitation of words. I think. I choose. I write. (Perhaps I should re-read more...)

The feedback that I have received here has been priceless. The tones are always supportive, encouraging, and more than understanding. I appreciate how others have taken the time to invest in my work. In me. In my learning.

This leads me to the flip side. I have been utterly lousy at reading, investing and encouraging others on the same journey. It feels selfish and unworthy to take the support but not pass it on. I know that is part of the challenge, and to that end, I have failed so far.

My new goal for the rest of the challenge is to post earlier in the day so that I have (and make) more time to read and encourage others.

Hopefully someone else out there gets excited about the little red bubble above their email symbol. Maybe, just maybe, my comment will be what awaits them.

3 comments:

  1. Lauren, I too am a late night slicer. Maybe I will join you in your posting earlier goal. This is my first stumble upon your blog. Looking forward to reading more. ~ Theresa

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  2. This sounds like a terrific goal! The first couple of years I sliced, I don't think I was very good about reading and commenting on other people's slices. I've gotten much better over the past few years, and now enjoy that part as much as the other! Maybe just find two or three slices and comment on those for the rest of the month. Or set a goal to comment on everyone who comments on yours.

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  3. I know what you mean about those little red bubbles...but no worries. I think that one thing we all learn from this challenge is that it's ok to do what we can and let that be enough. :)

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