There are at least 80 million blogs out there in the world today. Sure, many of them are “spam-blogs” (splogs), and many are blogs created to chronicle an event in a person’s life (like a move across the country, or a new exercise routine), and then get discarded once the event—or the novelty—is done.
With all these gazillions of blogs out there, it sure can seem like a lot of noise.
So, does the world need your blog?
If it’s a spam blog, the answer is clearly no.
If it’s a blog about your cat, well, good for you — but sharing with it anyone but your cat isn’t really necessary.
But if you write because of something that you have a passion about, then I’d say yes — the world needs your blog. Very much.
Why?
Because you are a shining star in the firmament of the universe.
You are a jewel like none other.
You are a rose in bloom, honeyed and resplendent.
Let me ask you something, honestly: Did you read that last bit, or did you skip over it? Did you really take it in, as if I was writing to you (yes, you), or did you brush it off as banality?
As Horton said, “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant; an elephant (ahem, monk) is faithful one hundred percent.” I really do mean it when I say that you are special, precious, and unique.
How can I say that, when I don’t even know who’s reading this?
Because I believe — not as an airy-fairy dream, but because I’ve seen it in everyone I’ve ever met — that you have a special purpose inside of you. You have a light burning inside you to share with the world. It’s your contribution, your precious gift, your offering to the world.
And the world needs that. We need your gift. We need your voice. When you share your passion and your purpose, letting yourself be moved by the stirrings of your deepest yearnings for life, joy, connectedness, and expression, then the world benefits from your contribution.
Just as a symphony wouldn’t be complete without the contribution of the violins, the world around you hasn’t experienced fullness until you’ve given what you have to give.
So, does the world need your blog?
If you’re just adding to the noise, then no, probably not.
But if you’re sharing the music inside you, then yes. A resounding, full, and overwhelming yes.
Image by MyklR.
And thanks to all those who commented on the two previous posts so far: Pixelhead, Wendy Piersall, Joanna Young, Dawud Miracle, EM Sky
Amen to that!
So well said Adam. Mahalo for the encouragement you so generously have given us, and at the same time I cheer your words on eliminating the spam and the noise!
Thanks, Adam.
You said it well!
Thank you Adam!!
What a great treat. I just a “hit” that I needed to stop on over and see what was happening at Monk@work. And what do I find? Exactly what I needed to hear!
Many thanks!
Maybe, someday, I’ll be brave enough to present a blog of my soul.
This is what a story with a heart looks like. Really cool post. And yes, I did not skip that bit about stars and music. It is really hard when you can be drowned by the noise that is all around us. Still, it is such a comfort that today, one can start somewhere in expressing what yearnings one has inside of him.
I will surely continue blogging. And if the time comes that I feel tired or unappreciated, I will just look back at this and look at what’s inside of me.
Let’s keep the music playing.
That is so beautiful I’m forwarding it over to the writers on my ‘other’ blog. Thanks Adam.
agreed
Oh Adam,
Anyone that can write words that bring a smile to the face and a lift to the heart has a special place in the Universe.
You know that I will have to keep reading your blog now, just for the poetry in your soul.
I surround you in pink light.
Thanks for a great post. It’s good to be reminded that our words, our writing does matter – but also to take responsibility for not adding to the noise.
Joanna
Adam, thanks for the universal encouragement. My only question I guess is what if the music in side me isn’t playing to the same tune as other people? What if the things I say and the view points I hold don’t even matter to other people? I am speaking from my heart, so I am then still a shining star in the firmament of the universe?
Check my site out if you want, but if not no worries, I enjoyed this post a bunch.
http://birchtonstreet.blogspot.com
Would you still think I was a shining star in the firmament of the universe if my opinion was that you were created by Almighty God and I wrote about it with all my heart?
Joe
Solid post. Very encouraging.
I feel so justified…!!
thank you. they say it in latin – bonum diffusivum sui est. (good is diffusive in itself). I also think that blogs want to share the good in us.
my one is in yahoo’s 360 under jdrosel.
I walk as close as I can to the woods each morning with my faithful companion. The steps I take are surrounded by birds singing in the trees. I watch them in flight. Water moves nearby and my canine wags her tail. All is as it should be. We are blessed.
Hi Adam,
This was the first post of yours that I’ve read, and I must say that it’s very encouraging, thank you!
All the best,
JoLynn
Dear Adam,
I also raise my voice in gratitude and thanks for this beautiful post.
I have to say I was a bit nervous (though intrigued!) when I read the headline. I was surprised to find within me an old, familiar voice bring up feelings of inadequacy.
But when I read your words
“you are a shining star in the firmament of the universe.
You are a jewel like none other.
You are a rose in bloom, honeyed and resplendent”
I indeed felt you were speaking specially to me and my spirit was renewed.
Of course, I can’t speak for you Adam, but to Joseph Down, I would say Yes! Your blog matters, and what you have to say matters!
Joseph, you would be surprised how many lives you touch. Believe in your gift. What a blessing you are to others for your bold self-expression.
You are a shining star, Joseph. Why would your belief in an Almighty Creator negate that?
I think you have been listening to people who don’t support your dreams. You are definitely among loving friends here at Monk at Work who honor you for you, even as you’ve seen here in Adam’s post and all these beautiful comments.
Thanks for the insightful commentary. I plan to take this to heart and I hope all my fellow bloggers out there do the same.
Just the encouragement my heart was thirsting for today! And you used “resplendent” – one of my favorite words!
As is so often the case, it feels like You’ve spoken for me once again, Adam. Thank you!
I get lonely when I don’t write, so I’d be writing in a journal anyway. This way I get to add some color and put some of the deepest parts of me out into the world. It’s a way of honoring them. If what I write resonates with other people, that’s great. But that’s not the main reason for doing it.
Blogging is like an addiction. Driven by the craving for attention by some, for others the money, and yet other might have their own drivers. ‘Adding noise’ to fulfill the addiction can be the downside of the addiction to some I guess. Good, solid reminder in the article though. Thanks.
Writing from the heart is the only way that I know how to write. Thanks for the beautiful words of encouragement. Have a glorious day.
thank you! A beautifully written and touching post! A reminder to keep searching for my passion and purpose, and stick to it..
Don’t give in to tendencies to write because it’s long due, or because it might influence your ranking or whatever. Just stay true to yourself.
‘keep on sharing the music inside you’.. wow!!
Adam…great post!
If everyone believed this…
“Because you are a shining star in the firmament of the universe.”
…the world AND the blogosphere would be a MUCH brighter place.
Thanks for spreading more JOY into the world with your words!
Stay passionate,
Kam
Hi Adam! This is my first comment on your blog.. I have subscribed to your blog and newsletters.. curious to know what you have install for us..
I was wondering whether is it a good idea to compile what ever that I have wrote on my blog and make them into a book?
By the way, one of the reason I start blogging is to practice my writing skills and see what is my readers’ response on my post.. so far, the response is very encouraging.. see my blog
http://lonelyhurts.com