I had a completely different answer practically written to this prompt. And I have questioned why I am even responding to it. But, if you write a blog or any kind of writing really, aren’t you trying to make a change – or at least an impact – whether big or small on the world? I think I am, and I need to own that truth.
My other answer to this was very worthy, very grandiose and really a bit arrogant. It was in part written from my heart but also written from my ego, and I do try very hard to avoid the latter. I try really hard just to write from my heart. That’s what I’m going to do now instead. So, what change would I like my blog to make in the world?
Well, for a start I want it to bring people some enjoyment. I think there’s enough rubbish going on in this world that it’s nice to find something that gives you some pleasure. Maybe that’s because you’ve read something that resonates with the way you think. That always brings me pleasure, not to mention some reassurance sometimes that perhaps I’m not going completely insane with the way my mind works! I think if you’ve brought someone some pleasure in whatever way that is, you’ve made a small change that could make a big impact on someone’s life. If just one of my blogs does that for just one person…I will have succeeded.
I also hope my blog helps people who think like me about the world, spirituality, nature and all the other things I write about. That maybe, in a way, it can create a little bit of a tribe of people who think similarly. And maybe that tribe can grow so more and more people think about the world in a positive way, who see that there is a purpose in like-minded people coming together and expressing their thoughts. That perhaps, slowly, we can see some of the change we want to see in the world. It would be lovely if my blog played a part in that.
I do sometimes write from a coaching perspective. I might be inspired to write something from that angle by something that has happened to me, or because of the writing prompt and the thoughts my mind went to when I saw it. And I always hope in doing so that it helps someone out there. That perhaps there is a kernel in there that they needed to see that day, something that perhaps inspired them or something that helps them see things from a different perspective. And in so doing perhaps helps someone to change their approach to something they are going through at that time. If I can help one person in that way, then I have done a good job.
I have been very honest in my writing on here, sometimes uncomfortably so for me. But in my honesty, I have helped myself sometimes through something and I hope I have helped others. But I also hope that in so doing I have helped others to see that being so honest, being so vulnerable, isn’t a weakness. That it’s a strength. That if you have ideas that you suspect are different to the norm, that you can and should express them because maybe they aren’t and that’s it’s okay even if they are. Maybe more people than you think share them. Or if they didn’t before, perhaps after reading what you have written, they do now. That saying what you truly think from the basis of what you really believe and who you honestly are is the best thing you can do for you and for others. In not worrying what other people think, you can grow into your own authenticity which is a strength beyond measure.
I will be honest and say that I would love to be a part of a bigger movement that seeks to change the world. It needs it. That helps the collective to be in alignment, to recognise its connectivity to everything and help work towards a more harmonious world. That may come across as arrogant, but that it my strongest desire. There are times when I just want to stand up and shout out that we can live a different, happier way. That we don’t have to beholden to the systems that are keeping us bound to our ‘lane’ in life. And I will achieve that. I will be a part of that bigger, wider change because I truly believe that that is something I am having this human experience to do. Perhaps, in some small way, this blog is a part of that but I know there are other things I will be doing that will be more obvious and change-making.
For now, I am very happy if my mental meanderings touch a few people and help them. That they create a gentle change for people, even if that is just having spent a couple of minutes reading something that they enjoyed or in that moment struck a chord. Yes, I am very happy with that.
Louisa Simpson 