Sometimes people ask me if I regret sharing things on this blog for the world to see. Regret my words, my choices, what I choose to share and what I choose to not share. Most days I don’t. I don’t regret it at all. This place has made my life richer, my story sweeter, my time better.
I share for selfish reasons (writing helps me think clearly), but also for other reasons. If my story makes someone else’s a little less difficult than what I’m doing is worth it. If my story, in all it’s beautiful mess, makes someone else feel less alone or weird, then it’s good. If my story makes you feel better about yourself or makes you laugh, then it’s worth it.
I don’t know if one day I’ll regret doing this. If sharing my family, my struggles, my fears will come back to bite me in the butt. I hope it doesn’t. I feel that my desire and gift for writing and creating is from God and I hope that I’m using it in a way that glorifies Him. Even in the shadows, if I’m not talking about my faith, God is still there. He’s the lens I see everything through and I hope that shows. So I put my trust in Him that this isn’t all for naught.
When I was little, like elementary-school little, I used to sneak into my mom and dad’s room and read my mom’s journals. It was completely inappropriate and a huge violation of her privacy, but I did it and I’m not proud of it. At the time though, I knew that something was wrong with her, there was this sadness that I couldn’t understand and so I thought her journals held all the answers. Most of what I read didn’t make sense to my little brain and most of it I don’t remember. But I remember parts. And I’m confident that if she had known she wasn’t alone, she could have been better, stronger, more confident in herself.
So maybe that’s my hope. That you know you’re not alone. Whether it’s because of your constantly messy house, that all your “fancy, dress-up clothes” come from Target, that you’re probably not that good of a mom on some days, or that you just feel that everyone does it better than you, please know that it’s probably not true. But even if it is, you’re loved and welcome here anyway.
When I think about hitting “Publish” on a post, I often wonder who will read it, will it matter, and what will come of it. And then I think about my daughters, years down the road, stumbling upon their mom’s blog and reading it. Knowing what it felt like to mother them, what I was afraid of, what I dreamed of doing, what I wore when they were four, and what things I was struggling with.
And I don’t think I’ll mind. They won’t have to sneak around to find my words and feel guilty for knowing them. We can have conversations and they can ask questions and have better lives than mine.
And then I’ll know for sure: no regrets.
Cute outfit and Map on the wall! : ) and a really great post. I think sharing is always good rather than keeping somethings bottled up. I love sharing what is going on in my life with people. I just don’t very often on my blog because I am not very good at bringing things in to typed words. lol
~Sarah
http://atowngirlslife.blogspot.com/
Thanks Sarah! And I agree, it’s always better than keeping it bottled up.
This is an insanely awesome post. Your mom probably wishes that blogs had existed back then. My mom would written one too, and she is a firecracker, so her posts would have been similar to yours. 🙂 But I think you hit the nail on the head with it. Often it’s hard for anyone to understand what writing does for the writer. I think you did a stupendous job explaining that here. ♥ you Mary. You rock (but not my socks off, because it’s still February, duh).
Thanks Barb and definitely keep your socks on! I’m currently sitting in my classroom wearing my winter coat while kids research. It’s frickin’ freezing and I’m so over it.
I loved your post! I feel transparency is refreshing…I don’t think we see enough of it in the “real” world.
Happy Wednesday…
alyssabarnettbeauty.com
Thanks Alyssa, I agree completely. It is so nice to hear others be real and it’s encouraging too.
I’ve not been able to get into reading this summer like I usually do. Well that’s not true….I’m into a series and the next book comes out in September 2014. Sigh. So I’m not wanting to get into any other book because I’m all wrapped up in the characters of the series. So in the meantime I’ve been reading several Trusty Chucks a week. And I love them! I don’t think I’ve read anything that I haven’t liked. And I get to glean a bit more about type-A personality Mary. I haven’t read in any order, just random selecting in the “While you’re here…..” section at the bottom. But I think this is just what I needed this summer-randomness and maybe some reality. So I’m glad you have “No Regrets”.
Krista, thank you for your nice comments and encouragement! You’re sweet. And I completely understand being in a rut and not reading anything. I either binge read books or don’t read at all. Waiting for a book in series is the worst…I hope the times goes fast and I’m honored that you’re reading my random posts in the meantime. 🙂