The Heart of a Really Decent Blog

I read lots of blogs every day.  Sometimes they occur during a morning quiet time or while I'm on a conference call. I don't use an RSS reader like I used to because I just don't have the time.  But blogs keep me engaged and the ones I do read leave a dent.

These are the ones that keep me coming back and add value to my life.  They make a difference- plain and simple.

For example, I've learned to facilitate meetings smarter as a result of Manager Tools.  I've also become a more simple person as a result of Zen Habits.  I could go on and on.

I've found a kinship with the bloggers I follow because we have one thing in common, although our topics may differ: joy.  At the heart of blogging is the sheer, simple desire to share and create.  When we do this, joy is the result.

There is a magical distance between having an idea and then creating a blog post to extrapolate its core.  Imagine being able to do this once, twice or more during a given week.  This is why experts argue that leaders are missing a huge opportunity if they don't blog. Imagine then the unique bridge with potential readers.  Genuine friendships can form as a result.

To me it's simply about joy.

*photo by funky64

Get Going and Get Blogging

One of the easiest ways to be creative is to blog.  It's nearly free and takes so little time that it's any wonder everyone isn't blogging.  But they aren't and that's too bad because it's a wonderful outlet for ideas and conversation.

I thought I would compile the posts that TDS readers have enjoyed the most related to blogging in the hopes that you'll try it out or encourage someone else to do so:

How Much Soul Does Your Blogging Provide?

When God and Blogs Intersect

How Twitter Can Make Life More Contemplative

Confessions of a Lazy Blogger

5 Facts About Blogging

How Authors Can Benefit from Blogging

*Photo by smemom87

How Much Soul Does Your Blogging Provide?

This is of course the key question to blogging- what difference does it make? Pope Benedict XVI is asking the same question of bloggers.  I'm inspired by such blogs as Shrinking the Camel, Michael Hyatt, Productivity at Home and Scott Cheatham.  These folks make a difference because they inject something human into their blogging.

Something soulful, you could say.

More and more, I see a value to Facebook for adults but very little positive from it for young people.  The amount of vile commentary that spews daily from one person to the next on the walls of Facebook is enough to concern any parent. Where is the soul?

In whatever your doing, inject some soul today!  Talk about prayer.  Mention the existence of God.  Share your faith with someone in need.  Demonstrate compassion.  It's never too late to be soulful in whatever you're doing.

*photo courtesy of salt of the earth

What I Learned from a Two Week Digital Fast

Prior to Easter, I was feeling a bit strained so I decided to "go dark" (in software developer's language) and go offline for a few weeks.  I figured that with Holy Week and then a vacation with my family, it was the perfect time to hit the pause button and unplug.

Little did I know that I would enjoy it so much.

With Twitter, email, voicemail and weekly blog posts, it's safe to say that I'm pretty well connected.  Here are some things I learned as I now gradually ease back into digital life:


  1. It's not that difficult. You just do it, plain and simple.  For those who feel they can't, try it.  You may be surprised.

  2. It's helpful to tell folks that you're going offline. My blog post from March 29 explained to readers that I was shutting things down in order to reconnect with the Lord and my family.  Those are hard to argue with and friends were very supportive.

  3. You enjoy time with family and friends more. When you're not worried about Twitter or email, time is freed up to have quality time with those you love.

  4. You're not fully out of reach for emergencies. With my role at work, I can't afford to be 100% out of reach so some folks know how to get hold of me.  That's just how it has to be in the digital world and it's ok.  No one abused the sabbatical by calling me every twenty minutes to see how things were going.

  5. You learn more deeply about the importance of sabbatical. Honoring sabbath is still a relevant concept and makes a whole lot of sense.

  6. It's good to gradually enter back into the fold. Like all fasts, it's good to ease back into things.  I chose Twitter as this means and started posting items last week.


So how do I feel now that I'm back online?  More energetic, more ready to tackle the challenges of life.  More connected with God and family.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or tired, why not try a digital fast for a week or two?

*Photo by totojaunjo

Easter Break & Blogging Sabbatical

"Sabbath keeping is not about taking a day off but about
being recalled to our knowledge of and gratitude for God's activity in creating
the world, giving liberty to captives, and overcoming the powers of death."

— Dorothy C. Bass


Christians around the world entered into Holy Week as of today, Palm Sunday.  For literally millions of believers, this week above all others is considered "set apart", that is to say it is holy by virtue of what took place this week two thousand years ago.



For me, work has been crazy lately.  As I checked in earlier today with my mentor, I had to admit that "busyness" is not necessarily godliness.  Still, we press on and keep positive.  I like to think of this as God's week and my family and I will be traveling and spending a lot of time at church.

In the spirit of taking a sabbatical (or practicing sabbath), I'll be stepping away from blogging until mid-April.  I need a break.  For those wondering, "Is Mike okay", the answer is a resounding yes.  Everyone needs a break and it will enable me to come on back with more gusto than ever before.

See you in a few weeks!

*Photo by unhindered by talent