Organic Development

Tuesday, I wrote about what I hope would come out of my blog and how I hope it would be delivered. I concluded with the fact that I really don't have a clear cut idea of any of it. There are bits and pieces of the puzzle that have found where they belong, but the big picture is yet to be completed.

Since then (and really, since the birth of this blog), I've muddled through the development. A part of me felt the burden of having to publish a post, regardless of whether or not I was happy with the content. Recently, I've come to realize that no such law or rule exist. It was simply an unrealistic and completely absurd pressure I placed on myself — an act not uncommon.

Armed with my "revelation," I vow to defend myself from the pressure of having to publish a post. I hope to post stories of things you may be interested in knowing and I'm excited to share. Those posts will develop organically (because I hear organic is all the rage) and be shared accordingly. Whether or not my posts will be consistent is a horse of a completely different color, but I hope to eventually find something resembling consistency. Ultimately, I guess time will tell.

Sincerely,

Cybill

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Tuning My Blogger Voice & Finding a Purpose

I've had this blog for almost two months. In that time, I've updated when I can and what I know. I've shared some stories of moments spent abroad, of things that run around in my mind and of course, news about college football. However, I still don't really know where I'm going with this blog.  I don't know where I want to go with this blog. I still don't really know what I want to accomplish with what I write and what I share with all of you.

I often weigh what stories from my past, moments in my present and hopes for my future, I should share with you readers. On one side of the scale, I'd like to keep a certain level of anonymity. I'm not about to air out my laundry — clean or otherwise. But on the other end of that scale, I know when it comes to a blog and blogging, a certain level of vulnerability and candid humor works. It lets you know I'm real and by no means do I have anything figured out.

Aside from the stories I share, I toy with the many ways to tell them. My voice, my blogging voice, my writing style and however you read these words, have a major impact on whether or not you think I'm a crap of a writer. Those opinions dictate whether you'll keep reading, whether you'll visit this page again or you'll decide to follow my blog.

At the end of the day and when we've reached the end of the road, I guess it doesn't really matter. I don't blog to gain followers. I don't think I blog to be reassured that I'm not a screw up in life. I blog in hopes that someone may feel that it's okay not to have it together. And I blog in hopes that you enjoy what I've written. Whether that means you leave my blog laughing and thinking, "This girl Cybill is a hot mess if I ever saw one," or "Damn, I wish we were friends in real life," I hope you know I'm being honest and I'm as multifaceted and can be as verbose as it may appear.

I guess, I won't have all my questions answered today and this puzzle remains unsolved. But, I'll keep on writing. I'll keep on blogging. I'll keep being a little sassy and sarcastic with a side of encouraging and endearing (at least that's what I hope y'all are getting from this). In time, maybe I'll have things figured out...then again, maybe I won't.

Sincerely,

Cybill

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Recommended Reading

They can say what they want about people who assume, but I'm going to assume most, if not all of you, enjoy reading, to a certain extent at least. I'm going to go ahead even further and assume that just like myself, when you read something you really enjoy or something by someone close to you, you share it. 

You can call it spreading positivity, enlightenment or just the simple act of sharing, but I thought I'd share a little something with all of you. I thought I'd share something I read with my recommendation that you definitely read it. (Hence the post title.)

Most of these, whether they're a blog posts, an article or what-have-yous, I came across online. Some I bookmarked, others I forwarded to a friend and then, there are some forwarded to me. It's an intricate web linking minds through shared reading, an instant library with no due dates and late fees, it's the modern day spread of knowledge. I like to consider it something like a free education (unless you want to calculate the fees for electricity and wi-fi, but let's not get too technical).

At the same time, let's get things going. Without further ado, below are a few things I read that are definitely worth your time. I hope you're able to take something from it, even if it's just a fleeting chuckle or a half smile from a pull at your heartstrings. Ultimately, I hope you enjoy your read and your views on my literary prowess aren't too beneath you.

• Happy Wife, Crazy Army Life: I've mentioned my dear friend Colleen in a previous post. In this post, I'm happy to mention her as a fellow blogger. She recently started a blog to share her new life as a wife and an army wife at that. Living a few thousand miles northwest, she's embracing life and kind enough to share it with us. For any Florida State Seminole fans out there, you'd probably appreciate her latest post and can relate it on a number of levels. 
• Marriage Isn't For You: Now, before you mark this one as sounding too cynical for your palette, I definitely think you should give a try, a once over, a skim of sorts. You may be surprised as it isn't exactly what you'd expect. As PR goes, I saw this link appear on my Facebook newsfeed a couple of times, but it wasn't until my friend, Christine, sent it to me that had me reading it. I wasn't disappointed and I hope you won't be as well.
• What She Doesn't Know Will Kill You: I first came across this article years ago, I must have been in middle school, but as years have come and gone, this has always stayed in the back of my mind. I can't tell you exactly why it's been etched into my brain, forever cataloged as one of my favorite reads, but it has and thus, this piece by Matt Brochu is worthy of sharing. 

I hope y'all enjoyed your reads! What do you have cataloged as your recommended reads?

Sincerely,

Cybill

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