Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

October 7, 2007

Giving Dots

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 12:26 pm

Connecting dots with The Idea Dude

Connecting Dots logo

Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Thanksgiving conjures up words like harvest, community, celebration, thanks . . . and giving.

Have you ever thought of your blog that way?

Every time we post, it is a gift. We determine what kind of gift we will be giving.

Gifts are meant to be free.

Free means no expectation that people will comment or link.

Gifts are voluntary.

We have no obligation to blog. Voluntary means when a blogger feels like giving.

Not everyone will like your gift.

A gift is not a contract to please. Voluntary means no obligation to receive.

While the act is immediate, the intent is timeless.

A gift posted now, could be read today, tomorrow, or 6 years from now.

That gift is a transfer of something from us to others.

What was it you were trying to say?

Gifts are given, not shared.

I used to think that blogs are moments and knowledge we share. Sharing somehow means we haven’t let go. Perhaps we should rethink. Are our words best shared or given without reserve?

A gift, no matter how big or small, is still a gift.

Appreciate the act of giving and the giver first, then enjoy the gift for its heart not for its value.

The best gifts are unexpected.

Perhaps it is why we continue to write and read. We find that story that inspires us, makes us laugh or, just as often, makes us cry. Little do we realize that those moments, in some intangible way, change our lives forever. Imagine you could erase every blog you read from your memory. Would you feel empty? Surely I would . . .

Then there is the reciprocity . . .

What is the harvest? the conversation, of course!
Blog posts are created in response to ours. Comments are left because we started a conversation.

This thankful dot went looking for dots to connect this week. Instead, of 1 or 2, I found the blogosphere. So rather than name a few,

This post is really for YOU!

dotdoticon-tiny

You made me think . . . why isn’t every day a Thanksgiving Day?

May the dots be with you! . . . and thank you.


Vern, The Idea Dude





Filed under Connecting Dots, Successful Blog |




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16 Comments to “Giving Dots”

  1. October 7th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
    Benjamin Bach said

    to paraphrase … Isn’t every day a Thanksgiving Day?

    Thanks, from Canada !

  2. October 7th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
    RayD said

    A refreshing outlook!
    When I started blogging, I thought about it as ’spreading’ (information, insights, stories), but ‘giving’ is a much better metaphor. Somehow thinking about blogging this way makes me focus more on the reader. In much the same way you think about the person you want to buy a gift for.
    Thanks!

  3. October 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Yeah Ben!
    I think as of now, it officially is! :)

  4. October 7th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Ray!
    Vernon wrote a lovely piece here. I think. He knows how to genuinely connect tht dots we all are. :)

  5. October 7th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
    irishlass said

    And sometimes blogging we receive incredible gifts. Yesterday I fell on a youtube video of San Francisco’s Market Street in 1905. My grandparents married there in 1906, my other grandparents arrived there in 1907. I felt incredibly connected.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cOb1RXL2Y

    I don’t even know what I was looking for when I fell on this, but I’m very grateful that someone thought enough of me to give me this gift.

  6. October 7th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
    Vernon Lun said

    Hi Ben, Happy Thanksgiving!

  7. October 7th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
    Vernon Lun said

    Hi Ray, it does give us a totally different perspective doesn’t it? Somehow more relevant and always personal.
    Vern

  8. October 7th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
    Vernon Lun said

    Hello Irishlass,
    To connect the present and the past in such an unexpected way is a gift across time.
    Vernon

  9. October 7th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Wow! Vernon!
    What a day of gifts this has been!

  10. October 8th, 2007 at 3:26 am
    Skittles said

    The URL for this post was left in my comments regarding a post where I said I hadn’t been posting much because I knew I couldn’t/wouldn’t reciprocate visits. (I’m enjoying some quality time with my hubby.)

    Thank you for this post.

  11. October 8th, 2007 at 4:11 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Skittles!
    Welcome! THAT is cool! It’s a gift that you left this comment. Thank you. You’re not a stranger here. :)

  12. October 8th, 2007 at 4:54 am
    onlineanjali said

    I was scouting the blogosphere ,feeling a bit low and wondering why don’t I have enough visitors and comments on my blog when I came across this gift :).

    Thanx ! so much…does put things into perspective must say !

    And yes now that I am here ,will surely keep coming back for more :)

  13. October 8th, 2007 at 5:11 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi onlineanjali!
    Welcome! I remember one time that I did just that and I found a most marvelous blog and a friend I think the world of. :)

    Thank you for telling me about how you got here. You gave me a wonderful memory. :)

    You’re not a stranger anymore.

  14. October 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
    Vernon Lun said

    Wow, Liz, you’re right, it has been a amazing day of gifts. Hearing from Skittles and onlineanjali and knowing the gift was received and reciprocated is just plain wonderful.
    Vern

  15. October 8th, 2007 at 9:20 am
    Benjamin Bach said

    Givers get . . .

  16. October 8th, 2007 at 10:54 am
    ME Strauss said

    Yes they do, Benjamin.
    The universe favors givers. :)

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