Taking a short hiatus from things can be good, now and then. I’ve wondered what to do with this blog: the guest posts have given me a wonderful respite, allowing me time to get better as well as well lend time to write when I felt like it, as opposed to just churning out something to post.
So…a huge thank you to all who have already guest blogged here, and to the ones that I still have in wait. I’m going to set up that schedule soon.
As to right now, I again find myself questioning directions for the next segment of my life. I am tired of all the negative chatter that surrounds us; doing something, anything, is preferable than sitting in a corner (to me). I am not sure if this is the proper forum for achieving any goals.
Is blogging just another Tower of Babel?
I took on the mantle of blogging just a wee bit more than a year ago: “get an internet presence!” was what my (then, hopeful) agent said to me, as well as others. In that year time, I am still not sure what greater good this has done for me or anyone else. So…
Now that I have that down, I need to take another step back, post the guest posts I have in hand, and figure out “What Comes Next.”
One thing: I commented on Bonnie Copeland’s (My Rivendell) The Foundations of Character post about what I feel breaks down character. I do think we are lacking in character, overall, and bend to who shouts the loudest. I called it a “non-community of yellers”, the age we’re living in.
Listen—really listen to someone’s POV. Place your own concerns aside for the moments it takes to really click with where someone is coming from. Communicate back: don’t condemn, place judgement (moral or religious or political) and LISTEN. Ask questions “Why?” or ask for clarification.
Does it take time? Sure, a bit more. But…we’d all be better off if we agreed to really hear what someone else has to say, really try to care why they feel that way.
Thanks for all of your support. It DOES mean a lot.
bornstoryteller 
Feb 28, 2012 @ 12:28:53
Hey, Stu! I don’t know what’s been happening to make you discouraged about blogging, but there definitely are ups and downs associated with it. Taking breaks is good though overall, blogging is great for a lot of things, even personal development … at least it is for me. The main thing is that when you transition into the next phase of blogging, you do it for yourself and to accomplish your goals, not for your agent (who I’m sure is a lovely person)! Don’t do anything that feels like a chore. We met around this time last year and I am happy we did. I hope I see you around for some time to come!
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:52:29
Adriene, thank you for your support and friendship. I’m not giving up, it’s just, as Li mentioned below, I’m more wondering: what happens next?:
Bornstoryteller has morphed in the year+; and I’m still trying to figure this all out.
Thanks.
Feb 28, 2012 @ 15:31:17
Breaks are definitely healthy! I hope you are reinvigorated!
I truly enjoy this blog and it appears as if many other people enjoy your ideas, as well. I often wonder about the future of blogging though. Where is blogging headed when everyone has a blog? I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s just a good question to ask every once in awhile.
Thanks for writing this! Xx
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:53:46
Thanks so much Emmy. I’m gratified to hear that you feel what I write has meaning.
Feb 28, 2012 @ 18:53:54
I think most people hit a sort of road block when it comes to blogging after a time. While Tale Spinning has given you an outlet for your fiction, BornStoryteller has focused mainly on the arts and the ways that creativity have enriched both your life and the lives of others. You’ve introduced readers to other writers and resources. You’ve done a fine job; but I suppose you’re asking “Where do I go from here?” Or maybe you feel that you want more discussion, more interaction than the post/commenting format? If so, maybe you could choose a subject and head the title with “Open Forum” or something, and specifically invite all readers to engage. (Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth 🙂 ) Or…ask your readers what they’d like your opinion or thoughts on. (Again, they may or may not respond.)
As for the break down in societal communication, I agree that there’s too much noise out there, and too many people “shouting down” rather than discussing. The art of listening – and sometimes just being still – is fast disappearing, and that’s a shame because then we miss out on the gentler side of life. 🙂
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:54:51
Li…you hit the nail on the head: where do I go from here? Not just in blogging, but also in the changing landscape of America. Lots to think about. Thank you.
Feb 28, 2012 @ 20:28:47
Hi Stu,
Blogging can be a bit overwhelming at times especially if you don’t really know where are heading ‘now’. There is a lot of noise and very few people listening to what is really being said. I am grateful for the mention but even more so for your comment. You have a lot going on in your post here. First let me say taking a step back to evaluate or re-evaluate is always smart and needed more often than not. It helps us focus and be more productive. Using guests posts to do that is brilliant (oh and I’m totally stealing that idea! lol)
As for character..there is more posts coming about that and your comments have me wondering if there might be another along those lines as well. Part of having character is, in my opinion respectful behaviour and listening plays into this. There is after all, a big difference in listening and actually hearing! The concept of true discourse is not yet lost I think, it just needs to be dusted off and valued for it’s own sake.
Keep well! Can’t wait to read more about this from you.
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:55:48
Thanks Bonnie. The noise is what I was referring to: a lot of chatter, but…what if we’re all talk, no action. That is what’s on my mind as well.
Feb 28, 2012 @ 23:04:31
(Yabbers in a corner and makes silly faces) You’re the best sweetie. Always love hearing whatcha got to say and boy howdy I’ve always wondered if Snuffleufflegus would make a good steed. 😉
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:57:33
Maureen, the picture expresses my own “yabbering in the corner” feeling: there is a lot of mixed metaphors to play with. I appreciate the support, and wish YOU”D get back on a more regular writing basis. Miss my daily laughs.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:16:45
I totally see where you’re coming from, cause I’m right there too. I have a blog…so now what? But is it getting me to my goal? Should I forgo it altogether and go in a different direction? How the crap am am I supposed to know what the “right” course of action is? Good luck to you, you are extremely talented. I hope you find your right path that will get you where you want to go!
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:58:50
Marie: I don’t know if there is a “right” course of action, just maybe what’ right for that moment. There are always changes coming: it’s what we embrace or are overwhelmed by. Thanks…
Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:39:26
Hi Stuart–
Please keep up your blogging because, from what I’ve read so far, you are contributing to “positive chatter” in a way that has only become recently available to the masses. I found your blog via LinkedIn’s Teaching Artist Research Project and now I plan to be a regular reader, if only to connect with another voice in my field. As for the future of blogs, I believe that they will provide generations to come with “in the moment” insights into the thinking of our time. I hope they (blogs) become organized in a way to make such research possible. Do keep telling your story.
Mar 01, 2012 @ 09:59:55
Thank you for the new follow Rosalind. I like the thoughts of the collective for the future…here’s hoping we have a more positive, settled world to come.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 12:36:44
Most people forget why there was a Tower of Babel. It was a postulate of Nimrod, the all-powerful king of the time. (Think England in its heyday, Germany under Hitler, America???). So powerful, that he was about to challenge the Supreme Being by building a tower to the heavens. (Jack and the beanstalk?)
So, the SB decided to confound our language. Make it impossible for all of us to work in concert, conspiring to do things.
That is exactly what we have now. Even though, here in America, we speak a common language (barely), we don’t understand one another. We don’t listen. President Obama calls for taxes on the rich- who can afford them and don’t spend as much money to keep the economy going as the middle class and the other party screams Class Warfare. Representative Ryan says we need to reform Medicare (forget about the practice- it’s the concept)- and the Democrats start talking about having seniors dying due to the lack of health care. We have a commission that wants to reform our tax and spending practices- bipartisan (of sorts)- and both sides want to ignore or denigrate the findings.
How much worse is it when we are divorced from politics and talking among neighbors and friends?
You’re right, Stuart- communication requires listening, and talking. But the ratio between the former and the latter is way off base nowadays…
Mar 01, 2012 @ 10:02:55
OOooooo…great connection between biblical story and fairy tale; so many tales were passed along, and changed to make “sense” for the new culture that story hit.
We’re a culture of not talking the same language. It’s weird trying to get people to understand that many struggle with the need to survive when they don’t have to.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 13:12:18
Hi Stu! What I find, is the intrigue of your title: “Internet of Babel”. In my 4th grade drama class where we do illustrate the Word of the Bible, the wonderful and vast array of possibilities of just how to show the message (the process or the “many languages”) is the thrill! To all be bringing our “dialect” of vision to the play, leads up to the final picture of the Word of insight.The audience that is fortunate to “see” the end performance is getting the last bit of many voices that gathered to assemble the One Voice.
Mar 01, 2012 @ 10:04:09
Yvonne: now, that is what I would wish: we’d learn that it’s not babble what someone else says, but that we need to find a way to understand their POV. Thank you.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 13:17:48
Hi Stu! What I find, is the intrigue of your title: “Internet of Babel”. In my 4th grade drama class where we do illustrate the Word of the Bible, the wonderful and vast array of possibilities of just how to show the message (the process or the “many languages”) is the thrill! To all be bringing our “dialect” of vision to the play, leads up to the final picture of the Word of insight.The audience that is fortunate to “see” the end performance is getting the last bit of many voices that gathered to assemble for the One Voice.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 17:53:46
Stuart,
I completely understand what you are saying, but I selfishly hope you continue having a presence in the blogosphere. I have to believe that once in a while our babbles hit a nerve and promote the change we need to make this world a better place full of art, creativity and diversity.
Mar 01, 2012 @ 10:05:19
Lisa, I’m not going away…just trying to figure out “what’s next?”. Your feelings are reciprocated. Thank you.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 19:07:59
God gave us one mouth and two ears.
Stuart – I often use a blog to tell a story based on what is happening in my life, my client’s lives or the community. I listen to the lessons and then share them with others. My blogging challenge is to sort the many ideas
Mar 01, 2012 @ 10:06:24
Thanks for being here Roberta. I know that sharing is important: just now what to share.
Mar 01, 2012 @ 02:28:17
hmm interesting thoughts
its my first visit here
thanks for the post 🙂
Mar 01, 2012 @ 10:06:59
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you found this interesting.
Mar 09, 2012 @ 23:49:05
Your title “Tower of Babel” was so compelling that I had to save this post to read when I had the time. It was well worth it. To coin a cliche, you hit the nail on the head. In fact, several nails.
The blogging world has become too noisy with everyone trying to outshout the others. Initial enthusiasm about blogging can wear down when you find that it’s almost impossible to make yourself heard. (I know only one blogger who has got anywhere and when she published her book, she had trouble selling more than a few copies.) A handful of bloggers have built their towers to the sky and are so far above the rest of us hopeful bloggers, however good our content, will never reach them.
A “community of yellers’ is a great way to describe this society. Unfortunately, what the loudest shouter shouts and what people listen to more is often hatred, resentment, biased, creepy, ignorance, bigoted, exaggerated or blatant lies, etc.
And yes, please, let’s listen to other POV. Don’t pass judgment on what you don’t know. How come that a country with such a diverse population can be so ignorant and uninterested in other cultures? We’ve built our own Tower of Babel and it’s isolated us instead of uniting us.
Please, Stuart, we need you to keep on blogging and writing relevant and impactful posts..
Mar 10, 2012 @ 08:27:51
Penelope, I’ll do what I can. Thank you for the support, as always.