When bloggers share from the heart, it may not be easy. The heart feels a wide range and depth of emotion. There are many brave individuals who pen, or type, words straight from the heart, and are willing to share these with you and me.
In the same way, it may not be easy for someone to read either.
Each blogger, each reader for that matter, may need to remember a few key components when writing or reading words from the heart. The following are several themes I have discovered over the past several years of blogging. Perhaps you too have noticed these to be true?
Top 3 Things You Should Know About Writing from the Heart
- You can't please everyone. You will always offend someone.
- Everything you say can, and possibly will, be misunderstood.
- People bring their own experiences, beliefs, and preconceived notions or expectations to your words.
Top 3 Things You Should Do When Reading
- Don't take it personally. Most likely, the writer didn't intend to offend you. Writers share from their point of view and their own experiences. A writer is expressing a thought, experience, or notion that has happened to them or someone close to them.
- Get clarification, if needed. Perhaps you misunderstood the meaning or inflection of someone's online 'voice' or 'tone.' After all, interactions online are just that, on line. They are not in person, face to face, with the full benefit of hearing tone and seeing gestures.
- Know you probably aren't reading the entire story. Chances are the writer isn't sharing everything. There may be other people involved or experiences which need to remain private and not displayed for all. Just like when you speak to a friend, your friend doesn't share every single thought, word, or deed.
For all those lovely ladies who share their experiences from the heart in hopes of encouraging another, thank you! Your words are much appreciated.
~ Dorie
Perhaps it could also be applied to comments as well. For who hasn't been misunderstood in commenting?
Or, maybe I am the only one!
So true!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely say it applies to comments as well. I'm only a casual blogger, so not a whole lot of traffic comes my way in the form of comments, but I have read post after post where people really go at each other in the comments. They apparently have way more time on their hands than I do if they are having a cyberspace argument that solves nothing. Well written post and well received from me. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteVery, very true. There have been a few times when I've gone back to read a post and realized that my first take away was not what the writer meant at all. I try to now offend in my posts, and I do shy away from topics that I would love to write about, but that might cause controversy.
ReplyDeleteNow you are making me think that maybe it would be okay to write on some of those topics....hmm.
Thanks :)
amen sister! ;)
ReplyDelete