Ahhh...this feels good - writing on my blog again! You know it's been 41 days since I put finger to keyboard(concerning this space).
While I was out, it dawned on me the last time I punched someone’s time card was when I was 4 months pregnant(18 years ago) with our youngest child. There's a reason for that - deep down inside I
know I was never made to work for someone else or something else for that matter. It’s not in my blood or makeup. My father has owned his own business (which he inherited from his father) since the day I came into this world 46 years ago. My husband comes from the same background…generations of entrepreneurs. Stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this! I said all of that as a segue to what I really learned while I was on my blogging break.
I must admit, I haven’t visited this place since I signed
off a little over a month ago. I won't lie...it felt good! I missed everyone - but
I didn’t miss blogging per say(well, at least everything that comes along with it). I didn’t miss freaking out when I couldn’t make
my deadline(because I had writers block). I didn’t miss making sure I joined
every blog hop in the bloggersphere to get new followers(who more than likely
won’t ever come back). Well actually I
stopped doing that months ago (I wanted to add it here to make my statement
more profound) – we bloggers do that you know. Lol! Neither did I miss constantly checking my Google analytics, finding the latest SEO tricks of the trade, trying
to get high page ranks, etc., etc. Lord knows that’s a job in itself and ain’t
nobody got time for that…well at least not me! And for those of you who do it,
do know I’m not knocking you. Do ya thing! More power to you! But for me,
I realized that blogging was not my side hustle and probably will never be.
I’ll be 46 years old next month. Why on earth would I become a slave to a blog?
I mean really? I started to loathe it just like an employee would an employer
who’s asking for more than they’re willing to give and not willing to
compensate them for. Yep, I had gotten there y’all…hating MY BLOG! But how?
This was my baby, the thing I started from scratch…from the ground up - that
has my fingerprint and DNA all over it…and I hated it! Man, something had to
change and change quickly!
You see, while I was out, I went back to my purpose for blogging in the first place – to
give advice to those who wanted it and to love on and encourage
those who needed it. That’s it. Nothing more…nothing less. This blog is my
ministry. Something my husband and I have been doing full time for over 18
years now. And something we see ourselves doing until the Lord calls us Home.
That my friends, is where my joy lies! Helping, encouraging, loving on and being
a blessing to anyone who wants it. Yep, that’s MY happy! And when it’s time for
me to hang my hat up on this blogging thing…I’ll know it and I’ll do it. Until then, this is a place where all my friends can come to and know what
you’re going to get. No pretense and no “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch
yours”. Nope, none of that here. Just a genuine desire to be a blessing and to
make a God connection with those I may never see in person, but have grown to
love and appreciate nonetheless.
Yeah, I might have missed out on all the giveaways,
opportunities to gain more followers and grow my social media base, but you
know…it really doesn’t matter. Life is so good to me right now and I've got so much on my plate to even care! Sure, I may do
some giveaways, grow my social media following and heck even join a few blog hops here and there - however, it won’t be because I
HAVE to…it’ll be because I WANT to! And when it's time for me to take another break(which may be once a month now, lol) then I will. And if my FB fan page stays at 910(give or
take), that’s fine too. If it surpasses the 1000 mark, hey I’ll take that also!! Don't get me wrong, I am sooo appreciative of the growth of my blog, considering the effort -or lack thereof- I've put into it. For that my wonderful friends, I owe YOU a BIG thank you! Who knows, “Prowess and Pearls” could one day become a household name(hey, whatcha
laughin’ at…it could happen you know)!! But, I’m not going to jump through
hoops and pull teeth to get there. People will follow me and come visit me
because they want to and they genuinely like me and like what I have to say. And that my friends,
makes this blogging thing a breeze, makes it easy as breathing air…
And I'll do it at my own pace, because this space here...is the vision God gave me!
And I'll do it at my own pace, because this space here...is the vision God gave me!
The Pulliam household has been doing this thing called "life", BIG these past few months. A few years back, I couldn't have imagined having this much fun, as I dreaded this upcoming season in my life(my second half of living). Having spent my entire adulthood raising babies, taking care of my family and working in ministry full-time, I had a hard time seeing exactly what my future held once the kids were grown and my responsibilities as "household manager", slowly declined. I can truly say though, that my husband and I are having more fun NOW living than we've had our entire lives! No slight to our kids, because I LOVED my season of raising and nurturing them! But now they are embarking on doing what their dad and I did what seemed liked eons ago - carving their own futures, mapping out their lives and starting their own families. And that is all a mother wants for her babies(well, aside from being happy and healthy and safe from hurt, harm and danger) to name a few! :-) I guess the older you get, the more wisdom you acquire. With that acquired wisdom comes the acceptance and appreciation of the life that's been handed to us. With that acceptance and appreciation comes the ability to make of it more than what you'd ever imagine!
So I encourage ALL of you my friends…go back to the vision God gave you for your blog, your first love of why you started blogging in the first place. Because you love to write, because you love sharing and because you love giving advice to make someone’s life better. If you follow everyone else's lead and not your own...then how unique are you? If you find yourself in the corner pulling your hair out and fretting over this blogging thing...you may want to re-evaluate why you got into it in the first place. This goes for anything in your life! I admonish you to do what you love, but most importantly…love what you do! If you’re not experiencing either of the two…go back to the drawing board and recreate the plan! Love you and I’m so glad to back!
All Rights Reserved copyright© 2012-2014 Michell Pulliam “Prowess and
Pearls” by Michell Pulliam
I've been having similar thoughts lately. All the fluff just doesn't matter. Glad to see you back!
ReplyDeleteHey Bekah! Thanks so much...it's good to be back!! I think that's the sentiment of a lot of bloggers (I definitely know a few). :-) Have a wonderful week my friend!
DeleteI love that you're back, and I love that living life and being true to yourself is priority #1 :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jenn!! I love being back...thank you so much! Yes, it makes life sooo much easier when the pressure's off! ;-)
DeleteI am so happy you are back!!!!! Can't wait to read more- love you sweet sister!
ReplyDeleteAwww...love you back Ash!! So good to see your sweet face over here!
DeleteHi Michell,
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you back! Thanks for sharing this post because this was something I definitely needed to see today. Can't wait to read more.
Thanks so much Nakia! I'm so glad it blessed you sis! I've been feeling this way for a while and I'm so glad I finally just gave in, lol! It feels good! Have a blessed week!
DeleteAMEN!!!! I love everything you shared- so wise, and so TRUE!! I am praying through this discouragement that has a hold on me now with my blog, balance and life... and why oh why I work so hard and stay at the same level of traffic and followers. It is hard work- and three years plus- I wonder. BUT, as you said- I do it for more than that reason. I know God has a plan for my work... through my blog, in ADDITION to all the ministries I lead in life. I just pray for direction constantly...
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you are back Michell. I have missed you so so much. I love you dearly, my beloved blessed friend!!!
Awwww...I just LOVE you girl!! YES He does have a plan for your work my friend! You are a gifted writer and I truly believe it will be heard by the masses!!! (just don't forget me once you become world renowned), lol!! But seriously, I'm in agreement with you sis that He will guide you every step of the way and there will be clarity with each step...in Jesus' name!
DeleteMissed you too Chris and I'm so glad to be back and sooo glad to have you back over here! Love you more girl!!!
Welcome back Michell! I have missed your open and honest sweet truth sister. You have, and always will be an encouragement and precious leader. God has blessed us with so much to share and inspire others, and THAT'S what we are called to do! ♥
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring! Love ya! ♥
Denise
http://refinemelord.com/
Awww, thanks Denise...you're so precious my friend! Thank you for your words of encouragement...they blessed me! Yes sis, THAT IS what we're called to do! Love you!
DeleteHi Michel, good that you had the time away to really put things into perspective, but happy that you are back. I've given thought so many times to parking up my blog indefinitely, but somewhere deep within I know that it is my online ministry and God is just not hearing me to laying it down...something like whosoever will try to save his life will lose it, but whoever lose his life for my sake will find it again. My blog is allowing me through every post, to find my life again because a bit of me (whether past, present or future) is included.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day and look forward to interacting with you, supporting and encouraging each other. God bless you!
Hi Yvonne! I like that..."whosoever will try to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it". So true, the tighter our reign is on something, it stunts it's growth. When we loosen it, we free it to develop. So glad you decided to stick with it and find your voice...it's a great feeling isn't it!?
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by! Yes, I'm looking forward to connecting with you as well...blessings my "new" friend!
Welcome back!I keep telling myself to write like I don't have an audience and just tell the story. I'm trying. I started my blog without the faintest idea that blog hops existed. So entering in them is something I've backed off from unless I really really have something that applies.
ReplyDeleteHey Kenya...thanks! I know, that's when you put out your best stuff...when you write for yourself, with no apprehensions! Have a good one lady! ;-)
DeleteMichell, welcome back! It's always nice to take a break and reflect on things. :) I really enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie!! It was a much needed break my friend...thanks so much! :-)
DeleteWelcome back, Michell, and thanks for that word in due season. I, too, have been questioning the blogging thing this Lenten period. We'll see what comes out of my questioning! Hugs, Ali
ReplyDeleteHey Ali!! Thank you darlin'! :-D I know what you mean. I posted this last week and I'm still playing catch up, lol! I may just have to post every two weeks at the rate I'm going..hahaa! But seriously, I'm loving the freedom to do it when I feel like it...takes the pressure off! Love ya and ((((HUGS)))) back atcha lady!
DeleteSo glad you are back, Michell. I knew you would be. Like you said you have a message to share. I have yet to do a long break from blogging. But I think I will sometime this Summer for about a week. I cut my blog posting in half a few months ago and it has made a huge difference. More quality content and less stress. Enjoy the rest of your week, my friend.
ReplyDeleteHey Kimberly...thanks my friend! Good for you! Haha...you see how long it's taking me to respond to my comments! I.must.do.better! Lol! Have a wonderful week as well Kimberly!
DeleteGreat to hear from you again, Michell. Blogging is not always a business, but often a passion. Great perspective - and so wonderful to have people like you out there dishing out encouragement and love to the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteThanks Seana!! So true...and sometimes that passion needs a little stoking, and in my case, a BIG spark, lol! You're a sweetheart Seana...have a wonderful week my friend!
DeleteHey Michell,
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to hear from you! I missed your words of wisdom and encouragement. Your post about blogging and getting back to our purpose, is what I have to do on a regular basis, in my life, overall. It is easy to get sidetracked about our purpose. But, it is such a blessing to be "righted" in our steps, after being still. When we are trying to follow the path He has set before us, He will always steer our hearts back to Him. It is wonderful to be His child! Many blessings and welcome back!
Ahhh...I like that Cynthia..."righted" in our steps!! Yes He will, won't He...He'll never let us wander! Thanks so much for your sweet words my friend! Many blessings to you as well!!!
DeleteWelcome back, missed you.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is that I have always tried to keep my blog simple. Just stuff I seen in the world. I have no ads, no sponsored stuff. Just what I like and my blog has been growing in readership.
I had someone tell me that I need to make money off it and have been offered some stuff but I always say no as it is something I do for me.
Hey there Patrick...missed you too my friend!! I know what you mean, when you keep it simple, you can come and go as you please...takes the pressure off, lol! Have a good one!!
DeleteGood read...feeling the same sentiments. It's nice to be able to do what you want, not what you have to.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia! I have slowly made my way back to blogging, lol! But the break was definitely worth it. Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteBe blessed dear.
ReplyDeleteHi Michell, popped over to see if you had returned from your hiatus. Welcome back and well needed message you provided to us all. So easy to get distracted from our original vision.
ReplyDeleteso good to hear your voice again. you just keep doing your thing, michell. and we'll keep returning!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late, but I sure am GLAD you're back! Your post says it all!!!
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read this. I am fairly new to blogging so I am still learning but I already know what I do and do not want to do in this business. Thank you for the reminders.
ReplyDeleteHi Michell! It's been quite some time since I read your posts. Well, it's been some time since I blogged but I'm back again at www,anne-writersspace.blogspot.com. Hope you can come visit again :)
ReplyDelete