cruel to be kind

The lovely Maryam Scoble has her two week ‘anniversary’ and you can see from her writing, that she is the one in the family with the better writing skills:

Even in the first two weeks, I am beginning to realize, from personal experience, what a powerful tool blogging can be. I am amazed by how friendly all the neighborhood kids, even the most popular ones are. As soon as you walk out, they come one by one, take your hands and ask you to play. You go out with shaking hands, nervous and alone, baring your soul out: Here, this is my post. Tell me what you think?

Of course, part of the attention she is getting is initially from her husband’s readers. But – and that is the big but – people will only stay, if they read something worth their time.

Of course, it is hard not to blog or try to keep blogging out of your life when you have a husband like Robert. I could not imagine a significant other who would be against blogging or podcasting or not getting it at all. They need to be open for the possibilities and then, one they, you know you’ll get them:

In the past four years, I have watched my husband achieve his personal and professional goals and dreams by blogging. […]
It took me a while to catch on, but I am done watching from the sidewalk. I am having so much fun; if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and play for a while.

Blogging, podcasting and all those other tools are sure not for everyone, but for most of us.

I can say for myself, that I could not imagine being ‘outside’ without internet, blogs, feeds and podcast any more. I would feel lost and disconnected. It would be like going deaf and blind at the same time. I have met so many interesting people from all over the world, that I laugh into the faces of people who ask me a bit nervously if I am addicted and alone in front of my computer.

They don’t understand that this is not a TV. It is my connection to the big world out there. Like for example to Maryam. I look forward reading more of her and hope to see her in Paris in December.

And in the meantime, if you encounter people not really understanding your blogging: Show them Maryam’s article and tell them to stay on the sidewalk if they want. Or they could come and play.

Tags: the small things