The essence of a blog

I've struggled since the inception of my blog in regards to whether or not I want it to be public or private. I realize that the very nature of a blog is that it is a public domain....but I initially began it so that I would have a place to journal. And blogger made it oh so easy to journal, much easier than keeping files on a computer that I have to go and dig out. And for whatever reason, hand-writing things has become too difficult for me (too slow, too painful, too hard to read). So here I am, with a smattering of thoughts and ideas for me to read and reflect upon. But it was only me.

And then I read other people's blogs and a big part of me wants to join the blogging world and put my stamp on things, not always leave my comments as anonymous.


Yet I go back to my struggle. My blog is composed of my thoughts...do I want those out there for everyone???

So I went back and reread my posts (yeah, all twenty of them...what can I say, I'm an AVID blogger!) and I decided that other than the names of my boys, there wasn't really anything I didn't want out there for all the world to see.

I've already decided I would avoid posting things that might later embarrass my boys as they apply for jobs or seek girlfriends. They'll have enough trouble with youtube and their friends at some point. But I was still uncomfy with having their identities fully exposed. I know EVERYONE else does, but I wanted a bit of privacy in my public world.

I solved my self-imposed dilemma by going back through my posts and editing the boys' names out and replacing them with their family nicknames. It works for me.

So look out blogging world...I'm here! I don't expect a million hits right away...but soon, soon :-)
Seriously though, I feel good about my blog and I feel like my thoughts have enough validity to be read by others, maybe even shared by others.

And thanks to all the other mommy bloggers out there that I've been reading. You've given me the confidence to share my slice of life.