11-11-11

This may be a mistaken impression, but I think that often the term Veteran is only associated with those that have retired.

A Veteran, as I understand it however, is anyone who has served in the armed forces, especially those who have served in combat or completed a tour of duty. As such, many men and women are still serving today who are Veterans. Sadly, those who have served in unpopular wars are frequently berated and discriminated against. I recently blogged about the outrageous comments some post online. This is absolutely wrong.

No matter your personal beliefs, religious or political agenda, all of them deserve respect.

So today, to all who have served and are presently serving, thank you.

Authenticity

I was contemplating the other day why I blog. Honestly I started mostly because my good friend RS Emeline was doing it. I figured I could mess around with some stuff, throw some of my writing out there and help generate interest for her amazing writing and the wonderful YA novels she's writing. (Not that she needs my help, she's fabulous and capable all on her own.)

My enthusiasm for it lasted about a week. Then this blog sat idle for nearly a year until something RSE said prompted me to start again. I really enjoy writing, painting a mental picture with words, finding the right one to give you, the reader, the same mental picture I have. It's like trying to describe colors to someone.

"I just got a new blue shirt."

What color blue did you picture? Light blue, dark blue, navy blue? The English language is so robust in its descriptors...like having a fridge full of condiments <wink>.

"I just got a v-neck, short sleeve t-shirt as blue as the Aegean Sea." (Now, we're thinking more along the same lines.)

I also decided I like to blog because I feel like I have a non-judgmental audience. (Although, some posts have been misinterpreted as personal rather than introspective.) I can blog about emotional insecurity. I can share with you how incredibly blue I've been. How hard these last couple weeks have been and how this one doesn't feel any better. I can tell you I feel incredibly disconnected. I can also flip the coin and tell you how ridiculous I'm being because I have many, many things to be grateful and happy for.

Which brings me to authenticity.

Unless your blog specifically represents itself as a resource for something or as the virtual face of a business, I think you should blog what you want. I keep looking at this blog and thinking I should blog something happy or positive.  Problem is, lately I don't feel happy or positive. Therefore, I think I should blog what I want.

I think I should "blog authentically."  I think if I feel down and want to write about it I should.  I think that if I hear something controversial on the news and I have an opinion I want to share, I should go ahead and do so.  I think if I want to blog about politics or religion, I should.

Certainly I can be respectful in expressing my opinion, but I don't think that I should type on eggshells when I blog.

What do you think? Do you want to read what's genuinely on a blogger's mind? Or should they write what they think you want to read? Something that's "politically correct" or neutral or happy?