Producing Less, Experiencing More

This is the mantra that I have tried to live by these past few weeks as I took yet another break from blogging. There were several reasons that I intentionally stopped blogging. I mean, you did notice, right?

It’s all to easy to think we are living in confessional community because we openly share things in the blogosphere. At least, it is easy for me to think this. But as a follower of Christ, I hope and strive to be living in confessional community with those around: my wife, mentors in my life and those in my small group. Not only did I have more time to do this since I was writing (producing), I actually had to live in confessional community to feel like I was living authentically as opposed to blogging my heart out and then thinking, “What a day of openness”.

Blogging can become our identity. I don’t know if it was for me. Okay, maybe I really liked being refered to as a blogger. I mean, it was a dream of mine to write, discuss and share – and it is still a dream. But, I wanted to make sure I was someone who blogged as opposed to a blogger. At least that wording helps me prioritize my identity.

Understanding why I write. I love writing. You may love food or breathing or singing. Okay, I love all those too but most of all, I think love writing. Writing on my blog sort of turned into me writing for the approval or affirmation of others. Comments, subscribers, unique visitors – not inherent evil things (unless you are Amish).  But lately, not just in this area, I have been trying to examine why I do the things I do instead of just trying to do things well. I think we all desire to be known and know others yet that can sometimes morph into a full on fixation with the idea of celebrity. Not good, but tempting, isn’t it? It is for me, anyways.

A season of busyness. I was worried I would lose my audience. And yeah, my Google Analytics said it had gone down 99.60%. But then I thought, it’s not that big of a deal. I was adjusting to a new schedule with Hannah as well as finding a groove as a Campus Missionary in Training with DC Metro Chi Alpha – anyways, I am trying to list excuses as to why I didn’t fulfill the self-given expectations to write. I guess the point is, I shouldn’t have to excuse myself.

With all that said, I was hoping not to write about why I wasn’t writing (so ironic, huh?) but I guess I kind of found a loophole by writing about why I wasn’t previously writing.

And I hope to still live by that mantra. For me, it’s less about producing a polished product than it is connecting with people and I think I lost sight of that for too long.

Producing Less, Experiencing More