Saturday, March 14, 2026

From a Committed Incoming Senior, Blogosphere U

In September of 1970, I began my 16th continuous year of formal schooling when I started my senior year as an undergraduate. Tomorrow begins my 16th continuous year of blogging. What has this incoming senior at Blogosphere U learned over fifteen years?

* Write it down immediately. What I write in my blog notebook frequently comes to nothing. But many tiny fragments often facilitate the assembly of something. And when I don't write it down immediately - whatever "it" is - I usually have more trouble retrieving it when it's needed.

* Be ready to accept help from anyone. I was almost finished with Blogosphere Grammar School before fully internalizing this lesson. Since wising up, I've made use of many sharp insights, several grammar tips, and a few potent challenges. It has all helped me as a thinker and writer. The feedback has come from faithful readers, frequent commenters, occasional lurkers, anonymous critics. Thanks to all. 

* Manage expectations via the lament of notable writers. Accepting my continued toils in obscurity has been made easier by learning of writers I admire who ponder their legacy. If folks like these - whose work is widely known - have these wonderings at least I'm in good company when feeling sorry for myself. 

Committed to blogging? Since I've now been at it for almost 20% of my life, that's safe to say. I am aware, however, that the verb committed has multiple meanings. Oh well. What practice are you committed to? How long has your commitment endured? What has that commitment taught you?


2 comments:

  1. As always, interesting questions. I am committed to Nia as a practice, as you know. It has been 14 years since I started teaching but the practice started before that. I would say "organically" and I can't give you an exact date. What has this taught me? So many things....The importance of The Body's Way, incorporating body/mind/emotion/spirit in my daily life. Sharing the Joy of Movement. Making an impact even if it is only one person on a given day. Gratitude for what I have learned and experienced that has helped me cope with the ups and downs of life.

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    1. Ines; Thanks for the comment and especially for taking the time to answer all three of my concluding questions which gives me enhanced insight into your NIA practice. BTW, I hope you recognize yourself in this post, i.e., "faithful reader", "frequent commenter", especially "...grammar tips..."

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