Why Blog? I've taken a couple weeks off of blogging and reading people's blogs as an experiment. Is my life better without blogging? Am I actually addicted to blogging? And why do I blog? I have some answers, though, not too many.
My first hypothesis was if I didn't read blogs I would actually read books again, which I haven't done much of this summer until now. (I thought not reading much in the last few months had a lot more to do with the constant chaos in my house, not my blog addiction.) I'm happy to report I'm currently on page 492 of Like a Fire is Burning by Gerald N. Lund. 
(Yes, I know I'm about 10-15 years late when compared to those who actually read and the The Work Glory series when they came out. Call me a late bloomer. Ok, so I have a new found interest in Church history.)
But...I've really missed reading blogs and I've been miserable. I think I'm addicted. I'm a long time food addict, who until the last several months thought I was on top of this only to realize I've been turning to food to help me feel better every day again. The results of that= most of my clothes don't fit. I also have an exercise addiction. I have to have more and more of it for it to keep having the same positive effects for me. Though, I prefer my exercise addiction over my food addiction, I'm afraid they probably feed each other a little.
Ross says, "Can it really be an addiciton if it's basically good for you?" I say it's the worst kind, and here's why. Even though something may be good for me, it may not be good for me in the amounts I do it.
I know should can be a bad word. I've been told by counselor types that I should on myself too often. But face it if I should be taking care of my children, or I should be reading my scriptures, or I should be cleaning my house but I keep finding things to distract me (like reading blogs) than I'm probably out of integrity with me and less happy than I would be if I was doing what I should.
Last night for example, my 5 year old flooded the bathroom because she was mad I put her in there for a time out. My response, have some ice cream. Don't feel better, yet? Have some more. (I've digressed.)
Here's the interesting thing. Even though I've taken a break from reading blogs and writing in mine I've been miserable. Taking a break from blogging hasn't helped me be more happy, anymore than taking a break from exercising does. Which brings me to my question of why blog?
I decided awhile back I want to inspire people to be their best selves. I felt like some of the things I posted here might help do that. More importantly, though, might be the good effect it has on me when I focus on the good things in my life and then highlight those things as I share. I'd forgotten that recently.
I think I'll get right back to blogging. (Maybe after I get caught up on my scripture study, and house cleaning. Or maybe once the kids are back in school. Oh, how that will be a happy day!)
