Why I blog

In the process of a long conversation with my best buddy, over many beers and our fair share of delicious tapas, several epiphanies came to me. It would be romantic to claim that this had been a pleasant process, but it was anything but; it was one of those conversations where no small amount of demons were confronted, and the words carved a meandering and devastating path through our minds and egos. While I have not completely recovered from that night, I at least realised why I blog about the things I do.

The easy answers would be to voice my anger, displeasure, grievances, and doing so in the hope that my words will have a positive impact to my readers: the very basic premise of blogging itself, as a form of expression, story-telling, if you will, for this generation. But it is too simplistic, because the topics I write about are bigger than personal issues. At least, now they are. I used to do the personal stories, the inane mutterings committed to frustrated words that light up on a screen, a fireplace where I spit my flames of discontent. But as Mel noted, my posts have not been personal for some time, and this is a further indication of why I write. No, it is more complex than that.

It is infinitely easier to not ponder about the question, and to just write what I feel. But as I gain a sustained audience, which tells me I'm doing something right, a part of me wants to know what keeps you (that's right, you) coming back to this drab-looking place. I named the place my swamp, and you guys are willing to get yourselves dirty just to listen to what I have to say. That means a lot to me, and it again clued me in to something I could probably never realise on my own.

Words, like it or not, have consequences. They can deter, and encourage. They can bring hope, and dismay. They can disguise the ugly truth, and beautify prevarications. Words can mould opinions, and change actions. Words can educate and illuminate, and obfuscate and distract. They can galvanise, rejuvenate, inspire, and bring to the fore all the ideals and principles that we hold dear. They help to tell stories, and one of those stories may fill you with happiness and joy or utter despair. But perhaps more importantly, as my ego allows, they tell a story we can identify with. With every post, I can give a voice to those who do not have any; either through years of being silenced or a lack of eloquence, or even a lack of understanding of the issues, or bring attention to the wrongs that we would be remiss not to right by just standing idly by.

That is why I blog, because there are still a lot of work to be done, and with every story I tell, every opinion I can somehow influence, is a voice that I can help others listen to. It may be my ego talking, but it is honest; the big ego wouldn't allow it to be anything less.