Why? Because relationships involve two people, and no two people are alike.
So how can any relationship be anything like another?
You have to write your own manual. And that manual is one you add to every day. There’s no end to it.
Relationships are complicated. What works in one relationship won’t work in another. They’re the hardest things in the world to get right because they involve people, and you can’t control other people. You can’t make decisions without them, and you should never make decisions without consulting them.
You think there are perfect relationships? I have to tell you. There is no such thing. If you find someone who says they’ve never argued with their partner, they’re not telling the truth.
In every successful relationship there are always times one or both partners feel like they want to give up. Start over with someone else. But that’s not how it works.
Sure there are situations in which there are totally irreconcilable differences…abuse, cheating, untreated drug or alcohol abuse, to name a few.
But more relationships fail because of lack of communication and a true lack of commitment than the reasons I mentioned above. Without each person being able to communicate to the other, being able to express their feelings, and being ready, willing and able to truly listen to what the other has to say, it’s much harder to make the relationship successful.
Trust is also vital. If you can’t trust someone with your feelings, how do you expect them to trust you with theirs?
Where is your relationship right now? If it needs some work, there no time like now to get started on repairs.
And if it’s going along beautifully, you’re truly blessed. Because in each relationship there’s always a little something that can be improved.
Amazing to discover I’ve been blogging now for years, since 2013. Nine years. That’s a long time!
What started out as a hobby to talk about my crafts (which were basically wine cork creations and diaper cakes) has now grown into a personal blog in which I talk about not only my crafts (which have now expanded into jewelry making), but all kinds of other topics ranging from stories from my childhood as well as now, family memories, personal stories, some political commentary, family recipes, life and relationship tips, as well as whimsical stories about those pesky flamingos my husband and are so fascinated with!
I even started a series called “Matters of the Heart” about my husband’s journey through his many heart issues, which has now grown to 31 installments, to not only tell his story but to bring attention to the problems of heart disease and how it can be controlled. After three aortic heart valve replacements in some 38 years, as well as his other heart procedures many of you have never heard of, I think we can both expound on that topic and give advice to others who may be going through similar experiences.
I’ve always enjoyed writing, and even published a memoir about my mother and dealing with the grief following her death. I didn’t write it to make money any more than I blog to make money. For me, writing is cathartic as well as relaxing, and if someone enjoys reading what I publish, and it maybe helps them through something they’re dealing with, then I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to do.
Blogging isn’t difficult, in fact, a lot of times when I begin to write, I really don’t know how the blog is going to end until it’s finished. Writing takes off like that, you see, if you really enjoy it.
I have more plans to blog more of my favorite recipes, and about one of my favorite hobbies, which not surprisingly, is reading. I’m planning to do some short book reviews about some of my favorite books and authors, that is, if I can take enough time from my reading to put them together. I promise to try, though!
A number of my blogs use pictures, especially the flamingo ones. My media library in my WordPress site had so many images that I was getting to the point I couldn’t control them all, so I finally decided to invest in a plug-in that allows me to organize them into categories, and sub-categories, and even (horrors!) sub-sub-categories.
For a blogger who’s been at it as long as I have, I really needed to get my site under better control, and I must say although it’s time consuming, it’s a good thing. I think. And finding I have almost 3,000 images in my library, many being duplicates, makes it a daunting task. But all this organizing and reviewing all those images is already getting me inspired to write some more flamingo stories, so watch out!
My blog has also changed names several times. In the beginning I had three different ones that I was writing for, but it became way too much to handle, especially working full time, so now they’re all combined into this one that I re-named “Just Living Life” which is really what I’m doing. Living my life and enjoying what I do.
Feel free to scroll through any time you wish, or as often as you wish. You can also sign up to follow my blog and you’ll be emailed a copy of each one when it’s posted. I do not keep a mailing list nor do I sell or give my followers’ email addresses out. I get enough unsolicited e-mails each day, as I’m sure you do as well. I’m not going to contribute to filling your in-box with things you don’t want.
So when you get a few spare minutes browse through some of my blog topics and see what you think. Feel free to comment on them as well. I know as I’ve been doing my media categorization project I’ve come across quite a few I’d forgotten about, and most likely will be republished from time to time with some updates.
And if you get inspired and find the desire to start writing, then go for it! I warn you though, it can become addictive!
Some people have asked me why I write a blog if I’m not making any money on it. It’s very simple. I enjoy writing. I write from my heart. I write about what’s important to me. Sometimes it’s humorous; sometimes very serious. I write about my opinions, my thoughts. I share stories. And I have fun doing it.
If my writings make a difference in one person’s life then I have accomplished what I set out to do. If my writings make you upset or angry, then I’ve made you think. And that’s another accomplishment.
If you can identify with some of the stories I tell, or just laugh a bit with them, then I’ve added something to your day.
If you find yourself trying some of the recipes I occasionally post, then I hope you enjoy them. Some I’ve made, and some I have yet to try.
The new blogging category I am getting ready to introduce talks about my favorite books and authors, and I hope when I start introducing those blog posts you may be interested in reading some of them as well. And if you don’t, then that’s ok, too.
Sometimes my blogs are based on things that people I know are going through, or that situations they find themselves in. I usually tell that person I’ve done it, but sometimes not.
Blogging is fun, and it can be addictive. Sometimes I wake up in the night with an idea, grab my phone, and begin to write before I forget my idea. After I’m done, I go back to sleep.
Saturday blogs like this one are usually light hearted, just fun stories or ideas, or perhaps crafting or recipe ideas. After all, it’s the weekend. Don’t we deserve a little down time?
If you don’t like what I have to say, then don’t read it. No one is forcing you to. Or write your own blog. In fact, I encourage you to do so. I use WordPress and they have a number of free options to choose from, although my format choice isn’t free, nor is my domain name that I have hosted very economically by GoDaddy. WordPress is an easy platform to use, depending on what theme you select. And there are a lot of them. And a really good thing about WordPress is the ability to schedule blogs in advance. I imagine other platforms have that ability as well, but this is the only one I’ve tried.
So…why do I blog? Because I enjoy it. It’s my way of talking to my friends as well as the world, It’s my chance to let my voice be heard,
