More on writing a blog

I started this blog in 2017 as a way to publish my writing, if only for a small audience on the internet. I greatly enjoy nurturing turn-stone, not just to present my views through short essays and an occasional poem, but also to know what I think, since forming my thoughts into words clarifies them for me. Also, writing is a way for me to make sense of my life, to compensate for dribbling away too many years pursuing wild geese and fulfilling questionable obligations—a way to save myself, for I have come to realize that no one else can do that for me.

Having a blog brings up the challenge of deciding which of my ideas I want to write about and to consider why I want to write about them. As far as what to write about, I first choose topics that interest me and that keep with the general theme I have set for turn-stone of how to be human and humane in this complex and uncertain world. I choose such topics because I am something of an idealist who wants to use my essays to bear witness about things in our society that cause us forget, ignore, or not recognize the obligations we have to each other—as individuals and collectively. Of course, I realize that my standing to offer comments on that subject is shaky since I am as guilty of forgetting, ignoring, or not recognizing those obligations as anyone. Nevertheless, I want to bear witness as a way to affirm my own sense of right and wrong, to remind myself that I am a “piece of the continent, a part of the main,” and that the bell also tolls for me. Unlike religious proselytizers, however, my goal is not to convert readers to my thinking but rather merely to encourage them to consider what I say. I claim no sole ownership of the Truth, only of my own views on what makes sense to me. Of course, to paraphrase the writer Jim Harrison, my perspective might not do my readers any more good than spending the night in their basement freezer.

Having a blog also raises the question of the danger of writing something that might offend someone, particularly about politics. It is not that I would want to intentionally offend someone, but political divisions in the country now are so great that political differences can end friendships or damage relationships with neighbors, co-workers, or social acquaintances. Many of us are hesitant to discuss politics unless we know and agree with the views of the other person. This is a topic I discussed in a another post (https://turn-stone.com/biting-my-tongue/).

Although it might sound arrogant, another reason for turn-stone is to make a special case for my vision of the world, to share who I am through my words. I have come to realize, however, that is an act that makes me feel uncomfortably vulnerable at times. I freely acknowledge my own ignorance, however, and admit that my opinions sometimes change as I learn and live more. I take heart from Emerson’s view on the subject in his essay Self Reliance: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul simply has nothing to do.” I don’t claim to have or be a great soul, and I admit that often I find it quite easy to see both (or even more!) sides to an issue. That certainly gives my mind something to do. And it provides plenty of fodder for my turn-stone posts. Again, I take comfort in something else Emerson wrote on the subject: “Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day.”

I admit that when I reread my posts, I am generally comfortable with what I have written other than the editor in me always wants to tinker with the wording. My long-term goal with turn-stone is to have my writing published elsewhere—on other sites or perhaps as a column in local papers or journals. I suppose I should use the term dream instead of goal since I doubt what I write would be of interest to a wide audience. Let me know if you have suggestions or connections in that regard. I would appreciate them.