I decided to take the plunge into Blogging 101 as my yearning to write grows while my ideas dwindle. This is my first assignment: writing about who I am and why I’m here.

For some reason, I’ve never been interested in keeping a personal journal. The paradox is that I am very much a private person, yet I’d rather create a public post than write privately. I suppose it helps me feel connected even though I don’t know if anyone is reading my prose. I do write poetry and collect quotes for myself; sometimes I share those as well. I like being part of a writing community.

A blog about nothing (sounds too Seinfeld, I know) is very liberating. Years ago, I started a blog that encompassed stories, recipes, poems and product reviews. I noticed other blogs with a clear theme and thought my blog looked too scrambled and needed to be revamped. But my thinking has changed.

In fact, if my blog has any theme at all, it is change, which is why I like my tagline: As the seasons change, so do I. Throughout my life, I have rotated careers, hairstyles, eating habits, dress sizes and discussion topics. I want the freedom to write about whatever is inspiring me, bringing me down or driving me crazy. I treat my keypad like a friend who never tires of listening and never judges.

I like connecting with bloggers who have the courage to say what I can’t, have similar experiences, are able to make me laugh and are able to make me cry. For readers who know me personally or think they do, blogging is a way for me to share a side of me you may not have known or understood.

I find it easier to express myself in writing than speaking. The spoken word does not come with edit or delete keys. Once the words are out, you live with them forever. I’m a human word processor. I type, assimilate, erase, rephrase, deliberate and…eventually…finalize. Even with all that processing, I still sometimes get it wrong.

If my written words influence someone to change perspective, giggle, empathize, smile or identify with my stories, or just get to know me better, then I deem my blog to be a success.