Why Blog Now?

For the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about this whole blog thing. It seems that more and more people I know are posting blogs and it's just gotten me thinking. Part of me wants to resist how much we're dependent (reliant?) on internet interactions with other people. But then there's this other part of me that's grateful for how easy it makes it to stay in touch with and connect with friends and loved ones who are scattered across this country and world.

I've just gotten married and taken this new name "Hardy." (See definition above.) It's something I'm proud of and excited about and inspired by. I hope that the adjectives 'bold,' 'daring,' 'adventurous,' 'sturdy,' 'strong,' and 'courageous' are words that could describe me, if not now, maybe someday. It's a new chapter of my life and it seems an appropriate time to begin something new, like perhaps a blog.

I've also just finished reading a great book - Eat, Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's a memoir about this woman's search for..... all kinds of things. But it's wonderfully written and a fresh and inspiring look at spirituality, self and love. I've come away from this book thinking about all sorts of different things, but one thing it's left me with is the desire to write again. I don't claim to be any kind of excellent writer, and I doubt Penguin Books will be picking up my memoir any time soon. But there have been times in my life when I was a devout journaler and avid letter writer. I don't know that either is true of me now (unless wedding thank-you notes count), but maybe having an audience - no matter how small - will be what I need to try to find my own voice again.

So, it's the combination of those three things: seeing the rising popularity of blogs, feeling like I'm starting a new chapter in my own life with this marriage, and a little push from a woman whose story touched me personally that's provided me with the impetus for creating this blog.

I'm not really sure what role it will have or what its purpose will be. I don't know if Robert will ever post on here or not. Maybe someday I'll be posting pictures and videos of some little baby like many of my friends, but for now it'll just be a place for me to share with you about my life, my work, the things I love, and what God is teaching me. I hope it'll give you a glimpse into my heart.

cdh