Blogging is a spiritual exercise. Doesn�t matter what the topic is. If you are passionate about your topic, then you are connecting with something very powerful when you blog.
I�m not talking about someone throwing up a few posts and then forgetting about the whole thing. I�m talking about someone who is seriously in it for the long haul. Someone who reads other blogs in their niche and is active in commenting on them. Someone who is actively involved in the conversation and is genuinely trying to bring real value to their readers. For this type of person, blogging transcends the idea of �daily posting� and becomes a sacred activity for the author. Because we generally blog on a regular basis, the exercise takes on the feeling of a ritual.
All writing is spiritual; the simple act of putting words to paper or pounding them out on a keyboard has therapeutic value. But in particular, the concept of blogging takes this a step further, because of the connections and widespread audience that the internet provides.
We�re not talking about old-fashioned religious ideas here. Instead, we�re examining the spiritual principles that apply to every successful blogger:
1. Connections with Others – Blogging is about more than just writing to be read. It�s about relationships and connecting with fellow bloggers. It�s about conversations and communities. In a spiritual light, we might refer to this as fellowship or brotherhood.
2. Goal Oriented - If you just start a blog on a whim, and don�t have any real direction or goals for your blog, chances are good that things are not going to go very far. Successful blogging requires the dedication and focus that can only come from a high level of discipline.
3. Helping Others - Regardless of what your blog is about, if you are experiencing any kind of success with it, you are undoubtedly helping others in some way. A successful blog is a useful one. You are providing real value to the world. Your blog is part of the solution.
4. Living with Purpose – Highly successful bloggers are virtually guaranteed to share the following in common: they are passionate about their blog�s topic. This formula for success is right in line with living a purposeful life. How so? Because a dedicated blogger with a passion for any subject can make a huge impact on the world, especially if they are helping others with their blog.
5. Faith - It takes guts to put yourself out there. To give of yourself every day, holding nothing back, takes at least some level of faith. It also takes faith in the process itself. To keep writing, day in and day out, for an imaginary audience that you hope will materialize.
6. Hope - Blogging starts as a personal journey � In the beginning, it�s just you and the blank screen, with no visitors in sight. I had a bit of hope that an audience would form and that my message could make a difference to people out there. This hope was necessary, because at first, I did not have an audience. In spite of this, I managed to persevere, and an audience slowly developed. This was exciting for me, and led to another spiritual revelation:
7. Awakening – As my blog grew, I transformed along with it � My message started slowly changing as my audience began to grow. I realized that my message actually was having an impact. People were leaving comments and reaching out for help in a way that I had not anticipated. What I was writing became more important to me, because now I knew it was making a difference. I no longer had to hope that my blogging could affect someone and make a difference. Now I knew. Not only did this delight me, but it also gave me a chance to grow in my own spiritual journey.� It was a direct example of improving your life through writing.
Perhaps the last spiritual principle we could include would be love. At some point, a dedicated blogger who believes in their message with real passion will eventually reach out to the world through pure love. No hidden motives�.just a genuine desire to help others. Perhaps that is not on the list so that we all know we have something to strive for.
Recommended Reading
- Overcoming Addiction
- Spiritual Recovery from Addiction: Zen Buddhism
- Holistic Addiction Treatment Center
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello, I have been reading your blog daily, going through older posts, checking daily for new posts, re-reading things sometimes 50 to 60 times because of something that stuck out to me, something I related to.
I am currently struggling with alcoholism, and have been drinking heavily since I was about 16, and I am 25 now. In the past three years of my addiction, I have also taken up the habit of abusing benzos (klonopin/Xanax), chasing these drugs down with my almost daily alcohol intake. Not good, to say the least. I am lucky I have not died so I have heard due to this kind of behavior. Yesterday afternoon I woke up in a confused, anxious, guilty state of mind after a night drinking and taking pills (most of which I don’t remember)…my first thought when I finally started to calm down, was to take more pills and start drinking again…then something hit me. I really cant say what it was at all, just this feeling came over me…a really comforting feeling, it almost brought me to tears. I immediately went to your site and started reading through everything. I wasn’t looking for anything particular while I was reading through it, just reading. I started to feel better about things. That night I didn’t drink or take any pills. I slept for 10 hours. This morning I woke up and decided that I need some help. I am going to go to my first AA meeting later today (my first meeting not court ordered, I had to attend nine a few months ago for a DUI I got back in December).
Today I checked your site here at work, and read this:
“Awakening – As my blog grew, I transformed along with it – My message started slowly changing as my audience began to grow. I realized that my message actually was having an impact.”
So, without continuing this already long comment, I will leave it off here saying this: Your message has definitely had an impact on me. Through your personal story, and other posts I have been reading on here, I am inspired to change my ways, get the help I need and live a better, happier life. I know ultimately this is my own personal choice to get better, but you have been an inspiration to kick start my recovery…I am not even 24 hours sober yet, but I am already excited. I know it will be hard work on my part to recover…but its something I am more than ready to take on. That’s all…thanks.
Sounds exciting, James. I wish you the best in your recovery. Sounds like you have really made a decision this time….
Hey Patrick,
Thanks for all shout-out today. It was really nice of you. I did a post on you (sort of) today. You inspired me. It was one of those bang it out in 20 minutes flat posts. I love those kind. :)
Hey Patrick. Thoroughly enjoyed your blog once again. I read a review of your blog and you spoke of maybe starting a “community” I think if you have the time to do this would be a wonderful idea. This way people of “like” mind could find a place to meet and work on their sobriety in a different manner than the standard AA way. My boyfriend and I keep saying we need an “updated” AA the young clients that we work with are searching for something more than standard AA meeting. This could be the beginning of a new an improved “ADDICTS ANONYMOUS”.
Keep on blogging…………
Lisa M.
Update your Blog you Zen ninja flipsy nipsy. Just kidding, good stuff my brotha from anotha motha.
What’s up Rev! Don’t make me flip out on you ninja style! Yeah I have been working on some secret projects lately, but believe it or not it involves writing quite a bit about addiction and recovery. So I suppose it is all good, and I always have more in store for the Spiritual River readers, at least those who are dedicated enough to stick around for a while…..
James, your story sounds similar to mine. I am currently one month in to a three month outpatient rehab. Yes, this journey will be harder than you could ever imagine. If I can help you in any way please just take this advice: dont try to moderate your drinking. It is an endless pointless internal battle that will suck your energy and hope dry. Ive tried the social drinking and have done well not getting out of control. But thats not the point. Its freeing yourself from a useless substance. I will be praying for you. You will beat this.
This blog is a blessing. Thank you.
Hi there Kay, thanks for stopping by. I agree that moderation is a dead end.
Let’s say it this way: if moderation works for you, then why are you here?
AH HA! That is the ticket right there. I am an addict because I failed at moderation. Couldn’t do it.
God bless Kay and good luck….