Blogging can be hard. You put your words out there-- your ideas, your recipe, your whatever-- and you hope maybe someone will like it. And there's a lot of blogs out there, a lot of shops out there, and if you're like me, you wonder if it's worth it to add another blog or shop or enter-your-creative-endeavor-here to the mix.
Can I just say boldly yes. Yes, it is worth it.
Let me backtrack to explain why I can say that with such confidence.
In September I attended the Influence Conference and like most good things, it's still with me. Like a great evening you keep reliving, your favorite dessert you keep tasting, I keep rolling the truths of the conference around.
One of the sessions author Shauna Niequist came and spoke. I am a big fan of Shauna-- of her books and her words and just HER. To hear her speak was incredible and she said a whole lot of good things. But in particular she talked about the gift of words, of creativity and of art.
"The myth is scarcity," she said. "And the truth is abundance."
She continued: "We need more blogs, more shops, more jewelry."
And honestly, I agree with her -- for several reasons.
You are you. You are "your own brand of crazy," as Shauna put it, and we're talking crazy in a good way. You have a specific story, specific gifts and they are different from anyone else. I believe that God created us each so uniquely, formed us perfectly and the makeup of who we are can so richly bless others.
Our own brand of crazy-- our lives, ideas and stories can teach others, inspire others to big things-- starting a new business! or little things -- like trying something new with a wardrobe or recipe.
I know that I in particular have been so blessed by this weird little internet world. I have stretched myself and started a little business and felt the blessings of others who believe along with me. I have made real friends. I have been challenged by blog posts, I have read that posts that made me laugh, made me cry and taught me how to make a dang good salad. I love all the crazy that's out there because it reminds me that I am not alone in my crazy ideas or schemes. There are others out there sharing their crazy too.
I say all this because sometimes if you feel like you're pushing publish and no one is reading, or you're launching an Etsy shop and no one is buying, know this: you matter. You do your thing, YOUR calling, your brand of crazy that you were called to do. Your gifts matter whether you believe it or not.
And even if you don't see the impact, you are adding to this world. It can be a dark place sometimes and the words you type late at night or the art you create adds beauty and hope.
Final words of Shauna wisdom: "Do your own thing and your brand of crazy. If you shut that down, you will never feel that pleasure of being yourself."
xo, erika
