Reflections of BlogHer ‘08
When I entered the blog realm last November, a mentor friend gifted me with a point towards Jen Lemen. From there, I connected with a passionate, sacred and spiritual blogesphere. I’ve been so happy hanging out there that when a chance to attend my first BlogHer conference in my hometown appeared, I said yes.
Due to the challenges of balancing a full life, and nothing to do with the amazing support BlogHer leadership offered, I was unprepared to meet the larger blog world. The first day became an exercise in courage both in extending myself socially (I had forgotten about how intimidating the act of simply walking alone into a crowded lunch room and finding somewhere to sit could be) and technologically (DIY, “monetizing blogs”, twitter, kirtsy: huh?).
By the end of the first day, I wanted to bolt. But since I have this belief that I’m a brave woman, I wasn’t going to let overwhelm chase me away. I realized that BlogHer ’08 was an opportunity to practice core intentions in my life: to connect, learn and grow.
I decided to sit in the uncomfortableness without trying to change it. I then took a good look at the session choices I had made throughout the day and noticed that I hadn’t been following my heart (note to self: can you please remember that this never turns out well?!). As I walked into the afternoon keynote on Friday, I was recovering.
Then, one by one, a selection of 19 women (and one man) from all over the blogesphere began reading their posts. Each expressed an individual voice, feeling and perspective. As I listened, I traveled through the fabric of these stories and found a thread of authencity that wasn’t separate from the passionate, sacred and spiritual blog resources I already knew. By opening to a larger range of different, I experienced an atmosphere of support for inhabiting personal truths and also an invitation to discover new meaning in a big, wild and free blogesphere.
I’m not going to lie and say from then on the pang before the big room disappeared. But by realizing choice, I did discover new ways of beauty full of insight.
Thank you BlogHer for providing such a large forum of potential growth.
Tags: Add new tag, blogger, blogging, BlogHer '08, gratitude, learning, life, practical spirituality
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July 22, 2008 at 7:13 am
This is a perfectly lovely way to look at it. It does provide opportunities for growth. Perhaps rather brutally – but it does provide the medium.
July 22, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Thank you for (cyber) introducing me to Jen Lemen. In her latest post, she reveals the wisdom and poetry that I’ve been struggling with to describe a recent event in my life. Thank you…thank you.
July 22, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I will be reconsidering my desire to go next time…..
July 23, 2008 at 10:16 am
Dear Lydia, I’m so glad you are finding Jen inspiring. I’m feeling especially grateful for her leadership in the blog world, just by being who she is. As usual, great to connect with you, but also great to see you here!
Sue, my dear friend, I don’t wish to discourage anyone in participating in Blogher. I have the utmost respect for the organization. This post is more about my personal journey and not meant to reflect on anyone but me. As you know well, I’m more the intimate setting dive deep kinda gal. But thanks for stopping bye and love you!
July 24, 2008 at 7:29 am
Staci, I like the way you describe that “I’m more the intimate setting dive deep kinda gal”. That fits perfectly why I would be uncomfortable in a large setting like BlogHer as well.
Came back to read comments and happened to see that.
July 24, 2008 at 8:24 am
Hey Chani, thanks for coming back. I really enjoyed visiting your home in the blogesphere as well. You response raises a good question: how do the deep diving intimate craving folks find a way to connect in larger settings? Because there is also something quite amazing about being in a room full of almost 1000 mostly women gathering together based on a passion for something. How often is that going to happen?
July 24, 2008 at 10:47 am
The only thing I can think of is by pre-arrangement.. and then perhaps others would find us?
Thanks for the two links you offered. Yes, they were inspiring. I think we can choose what our fundamental message/purpose is going to be. ‘Positive’ can sometimes be a mixed word because many will interpret it as a constant cheeriness. Sometimes “positive” can mean “I raised an issue that causes you to think differently.”
Much of my site – and my purpose and message – is to tackle the more gnarly aspects of western culture which I see as damaging. It’s a brutal worldview. I try to deconstruct it so that people can look at their own lives and perhaps choose a way of living that is more relationship/life/earth friendly.
That was the only thing I didn’t read in the dialogue (on the link you sent) was that sometimes we do have to raise difficult issues so that it can lead to a transformed way of thinking and living.
Most of what I write is fundamentally based on Buddhist/Eastern thought. I truly, truly hope it will help open minds to new ways, even if I do occasionally have to get a bit strong in my wording.
Interesting discussion going on here at your site! I hope some others will pipe in as well.
Blessings to you… thanks for your work here on this site!
July 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm
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