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I feel like I’ve been away my usual blogging for so long and connecting with all of you. I actually found myself feeling down and frustrated yesterday because my blogging life hasn’t been as regular as it usually is. I’m one of those who likes consistency for both myself and with others. So, I decided before the “One World, One Heart” event is over on Feb. 17th, I needed to touch base with all of you before then. While the “One World, One Heart” blog event has been fun, it’s not the same as having a more intimate and close connection with those of you who I’ve known for a while and like to talk to.
It’s funny that my first blog event I participated in (The Practical Magic Blog Party), I was feeling really insecure and overwhelmed with the new experience of it all, but I’ve learned a valuable lesson this time around with OWOH. Pace myself, let go of any expectations I have of who’s going to like my blog or not, or if they’ll follow my blog with Google friend connect. A lot of people assume that just because people are “following” your blog through Google friend connect, means that they’re actually reading your blog as well. That’s not necessarily the case. While it’s nice for people to acknowledge they like you by following you, I’d rather have people who actually read my blog and subscribe to it through an RSS reader or by email. And even then, it’s not about a popularity contest. I do like to be “followed” but I’d rather you like what I write on my blog more.
I have one very good friend who’s also participating in OWOH who was upset for a while because she wasn’t getting as many new followers as she’d like and they weren’t leaving comments. She’s talented, warm and interesting and I wanted to let her know that while I understand her feelings of frustration and hurt, those who are loyal readers are far more important than those who are “following” her blog. I know where she’s coming from though. When she was a little girl, she often felt alienated and lonely because she was so different from her peers and that loneliness has been hanging around her like a dark cloud reminding her of the pain she experienced when she was young.
I often feel the same way, because I was also one of those little girls who never “fit in” and felt like something was wrong with me because I felt so unlovable and “different”. If we’re not really loved and supported by important people in our lives when we’re young, as we grow up, we can still carry these wounds of loneliness and insecurity that pop up here and there. We forget to become our own best friend and forget all we do have to offer and forget how perfect we are in our imperfections. I know it’s not easy to do that though, especially if you don’t have friends who hang around with you through both the good times and bad times, in your every day world or through the blogosphere. I hate trite sayings and axioms, but you know the one about “you can’t please everybody all of the time, you can only please some of the people some of the time.” It’s true though isn’t it? It’s out of our control if people like us or not. What we can control is how we feel about ourselves though.
OWOH had reminded me of why I blog in the first place. It was a big scary step for me to let all of you into my world when I first opened this blog as I thought to myself, ‘why would anyone want to read about me and my life when I’m so messed up and uninteresting?’ I started blogging for a few reasons, to push myself past a fear of being so open and honest with myself and others and also to give my creative muse a place to be heard.
The amazing gifts I’ve received from blogging are more than I could have possibly imagined. The frosting on the cake is that through my blog I’ve met amazing friends who seem to like me for some crazy reason 
and hang around to see what I’ll say next. I’ll always have that little girl inside of me who doubts herself and feels unlovable, but those old memories are becoming more distant and few between as I keep blogging.
So, I hope you haven’t given up on me or think that you’re unimportant to me, just because I’ve been participating in OWOH. I’ve been thinking of you each day and getting a little anxious because we haven’t connected like we usually do. As I said, I am enjoying OWOH, because I get a chance to make new friends, see some really beautiful art that talented people have made and explore blogs that I would never have heard of otherwise. But, you are important to me and I value each of you whether you’re just beginning to read my blog, have been there since the beginning or jumped in there sometime between.
And on a final note, just because my giveaway is part of the OWOH event, doesn’t mean those of you who have a blog can’t enter for a chance to win. And you might also have a fun time, seeing all the blogs out there participating in the OWOH event. So to my friend who knows that I’ve been talking about her here, so many people like who you are just as you are, not for what you do or what you give, but because you’re beautiful inside and out and and if people can’t don’t appreciate that, their loss. Some people are going to come and go into your life and those who hang around you for the long run, are far more valuable than those who just come into your life and then skip out.
I want thank all of you for continuing to hang in there with me, even though I haven’t been writing my usual posts. And Miss Bella and Sele are getting impatient to have their say and connect with their adoring fans 
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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I use to be concerned as to who was following me or even wonder why some added me and never bothered to read or comment.. Here on blogger i discovered a few added me because they have ads on their pages..they have no longer come back to my pages… After I discovered that, I made up my mind to rethink adding people who just add me because they want the foot traffic..As far as followers, blogging has always been just for me and whoever reads it is fine..and its a + if a comment is left… Blogging should not be a popularity contest, those other sites are popularity sites which also attract drama queens and scammers…
chrissy recently posted..WHEN I GROW UP
I think you’re smart and aware Chrissy and you’re exactly what I’m talking about when I said that blogging has to be for the blogger herself and not to please others or make them feel like it’s high-school etc..It shows in your blog that you have pride in what you do.
Hey Wendy
We are thinking about you too! I am glad that you are still around and surviving the OWOH with grace and love. I am sure you will still be around and that we will continue to grow and blog together.
Love & Blessings
Faerie Sage
Wendy, I have been guilty of being MIA on my own blog, and I understand your anxiety of being absent from the blog world. Have no fear, we love you and are here to stay!!
Sending hugs your way (Mr. Meow sends some snuggles to your girls) !
Awww, Mr. Meow, it’s so nice to know that a fine cat like yourself is our friend along with your mommy Leila. Both my sister and I send you lots of purrrsss and we have to remind our mommies that as long as they give us treats, WE’LL still love them and that’s all that matters, right? >^..^<
I was wondering why you didn’t have any posts popping up lately in my Blog Reader! Love those kitty graphics!
Debra She Who Seeks recently posted..Buddhists Love Cats Too
I got over the feeling of being unlovable (except to kids and dogs, apparently) when I realised that I really AM unlovable, worked out the reasons, and came to terms with it. Being rejected doesn’t seem to bother me these days, and yet I still get stung when somebody pretends an interest and then pushes me aside in favour of somebody else. That can happen even with a blog. Just ego, of course. I’m even starting to get past that one. Is any of this relevant?
See that’s the difference between “feeling” unlovable and then actually “being” unlovable. I mean just because not everyone is going to fancy us doesn’t really mean squat. I’ve gone back and forth between wanting to be more “popular” and then having a few people who really love and appreciate me for who I am. And where did you come up with the idea that you’re unlovable, Jeff? And having animals and children loving us, you and I both know is way more important than some silly grown up’s to love us.
I like your blog no matter how often you write, how many followers you have or whatever… Just like it!
Tink recently posted..Blessed Imbolc
Hi Tink! You’re so purrrfectly wonderful to tell us that you like our blog. Even though mom doesn’t post enough about us.
I’ve been busy with OWOH also, I kind of warn people that for the majority of Feb. I might be somewhat MIA. I also just put up today my FIRST blogoversary post (which was actually saturday) PLEASE everyone come visit, I have lots of giveaways from vendors, and one from me. I even reached out to 2 Pagan.mystical shoppes on etsy that I have purchased from hoping they too would donate something. they are the only 2 shops that didn’t even respond. THAT was disappointing.
Wendy we all love you and your blog is terrific except for one thing…NO REAL PICTURE OF YOU!!
If I can have my picture on my blog with me being a BIG girl, and not that attractive, certainly you can also.
That to me is right up there with GROWN UPS that say oh please don’t take my picture, to me that is a form of vanity, it might be the reverse or a parallel form but it is a form nonetheless. IT IS A HUGE PET PEEVE of mine.
WHO WE ARE is on the inside, the OUTSIDE is just a SHELL.
To me that was one of the things that made me realize I had finally grown up.
ok, sorry off soap box now…but you know me, I have to be honest.
so if you want your blog to be better let’s see your smiling face!
Love n hugs,
Sue
PS….to all of Wendy’s friends, come visit me for the OWOH giveaways (I add one for each 50 comments) you’ll get to know me better, and might win something
Susan G recently posted..Welcome to One World One Heart @ Pieces of Fate
Susan, you always make me laugh with your “tell it like it is” attitude. You know I don’t have a chance for other’s to take pics. of myself until I realized that I can have my computer snap a pic of myself. So, I promise soon, I’ll have my “wanted poster” added to my blog. Thank you for telling me that you want the real me. And I don’t think you’re a “big” girl, I see you more like an Amazon Goddess and being statuesque and like a queen. I visited your blogoversy post yesterday, but the official one wasn’t up yet, so I’m going to head on over now. And good for you that you went out and found vendors, Congrats. on your blogversary : )
Wendy,
I had NO idea you followed me. I decided to stop by and see your blog/website, and saw this post, then realized I had just been here a few days ago for the OWOH event.
Like you, I don’t care if anyone follows me or not. I didn’t join OWOH to get followers. I joined to give back to the blogging community. I am sorry your friend is insecure. I think most of us, as artists, are. I hope your friend sees this as an opportunity to make lasting friends, not increase her statistics. I know I have over the years.
I wanted to personally invite you to join Tea Tuesday. Please notify Kimmie at Art In Red Wagons of your intention to join us. She holds the links and will be glad to add you, providing you post most Tuesdays. Her link is on my sidebar. You can’t miss it.
Since I have now seen a bit more of your blog, I will definitely be back. And if you join us each Tuesday, it will assure the fact that I will add you to my sidebar (with your permission, of course).
Thanks for dropping by. I really hope you join us, because I could do with some sunny weather right now!!
Bleubeard and Elizabeth recently posted..One World One Heart Event has arrived!
Glad you popped up with a post.
And a great one, at that. xoxo Theresa
What a lovely post! And how I can relate to that little girl! {{Big Hugs!}}
Hi sweet Wendy,
Of course, I can't read each blog on a daily basis, but I signed up so that I have the chance to find the blog again and visit it at my leisure (which I did with most blogs during OWOH anyway).
When I started blogging, I got almost no comments and certainly no one was "following me." Actually, I saw my blog as a way to share photos, a bit of my life, and my (digital) artwork with pen pals. Over the years, more people visited my blog and signed up as followers. I have never had a giveaway in which I made it a requirement for people to follow me. For me, that doesn't feel right — just my personal opinion. Through OWOH more people have signed up as followers, but I guess that's mostly because *I* signed up at *their* blog first.
My list of favorite blogs on the sidebar of my blog isn't finished at all. I guess I have to write a disclaimer, so that people don't think I find their blog less appealing. Oh well…
Anyway, take good care, Wendy.
Hugs,
Birgit who not just follows you, but also reads what you write!