Why do I blog?

My friend and fellow blogger, Bethany of The Good. The Bad. The Ugly. recently asked this question of herself and then answered it. She challenged her readers to figure out the answers for their own blogs. Ever since I've seen the post, I've been wanting to respond with my answer. This is my third attempt to do so. The last two were deleted before they could even be called posts.

I think I can now finally sit for two minutes and put my thoughts together. So without further ado...Why do I blog?

Hmmmm. I don't know. Just kidding. I love to write. I love variety. Together they make the perfect combination for this thing called blogging. Originally I started in order to practice the skill of writing. I've wanted to write a book for years and have started probably half a dozen, but that's it. I've only started them. I can't seem to find "the book" that I want to write. I'm not sure what it is that God is preparing me for, but I really believe that writing is part of it. I figured in the meantime I would just write...so here I am.

Along the way, new reasons that I didn't foresee have popped into my "why." I have discovered that a number of my friends blog. I've been able to keep in touch and even further our friendships through this medium. Also, there is a huge sense of community among bloggers. Reading and commenting on others' posts brings new people to my own posts and vice versa. It is amazing, yet hard to believe, that people from all over the world have read my blog and that I can read the daily thoughts of someone ten thousand miles away.

In order to be completely honest I must address another reason. Keeping an online journal does touch upon the narcissistic. You have to think highly enough of yourself and feel confident enough to put your thoughts down and not only be okay with others reading them, but actually expect them to. Fortunately, that is exactly what happens all over the blogosphere. (For the record: I hate the word blogosphere.) In the end, people do care. Of course,the first people to read (and return!) tend to be family and close friends, but most blogs find their niche and slowly but surely, the people who are looking for just those words that only you can say will find you.

My final motivation is the simple act of entertainment. I really enjoy amusing others. In the end, I'm not the type to contemplate the deeper things in life and then post about them. I know others who can, and they excel at recording their thought processes and conclusions. To borrow the words of Mr. Powers, "It's not my bag, baby." Don't get me wrong, I can and do enjoy a philosphical discussion of serious issues, it just isn't my default. I automatically resort to humor and plain ol' fun. If I can make someone smile while they are reading my words, I'm feeling good about life and myself.

The quick and easy answer to "Why does Tricia blog?" is this: I do it because I really enjoy it. The long answer is everything I wrote above the last sentence. Weren't you paying attention?

p.s. What's wrong with the above photo? The answer is in comments.