Inspired to be Blog Elevated

I started blogging in 2008 after I met a great group of ladies on an out of town trip.  My life has never been the same since then.  I have not only learned a lot, made so many new friends, and traveled across USA.  My friends in my immediate circle would say I am an outspoken person but I really think that I am shy.  I recently attended a seminar that had me thinking back to why I started blogging.  Let me take you back to 2008.

I started blogging to have a voice.  I was a single mother and even with my village surrounding me, I felt so alone.  I did not think I could talk to anyone about my problems but I have always felt that way.  I am the problem solver not the person with problems.  Blogging allowed me to have a voice.  Someone was at the other end talking back.  I like most girl's always kept a diary.  My post became like an online diary but it was open to for others to read.  In my diary I would ask questions that never got answer but here people answered and commented back.  I was no longer alone.  I was not the only one.  There were others out there.  I am sure you have heard this before but until you have this ah-ha moment you don't really understand how it feels.  It felt great to be able to just let it all out.  So I learned that no matter what I was facing I have people who related to me and we together were no longer alone.  I have made wonderful friends that I greatly appreciate their long distance friendship.

Blogging not only helped me make friends but help me have several opportunities.  Imagine your inner circle just getting bigger and bigger.  The more friends you have, the more you know.  Bloggers are not all cut the same.  There is not a guideline or a mold.  We are all different.  We come from different places.  We are mothers, working, stay at home, travelling, multitasking, professional, blue collar, white collar, etc...  Several have careers, great ones.  Some have found their calling.  My first job straight out of high school when I was 18 was working at a department store.  A PR lady would come to restock, organize, and help the sales associate with the product.  She told us stories of traveling, and all this opportunities she had through her job.  My eyes only got bigger as she told us her story and journeys every time.  But real life happen and I did not become a PR person and all the travel I got was anywhere in the Houston surrounding area.  Houston is big, that was travelling in my world.  When I became a blogger I got the opportunity to step out of my little world and enter the big world out there.  Small town girl hits the big city kinda thing.  Thanks to blogging I have had the opportunity to travel from coast to coast.  Places only I had dreamed of going.  But it isn't about traveling it was about the opportunities I have gained and lessons I have learned.  Blogging taught me it was ok to step out of my world.  I learned to see the bigger picture.  If you don't understand why put it this way, I have lived a very sheltered life blame my parents.

But the most important thing I have learned is that I have a voice, a voice that counts.  I have been able to be the voice and help charities and people who didn't have a voice.  I have many blogger friends who have been in DC, walked those halls, and even met the president.  Blogging opened those doors for them.  I am not saying I am an advocate or will be running for president but now I know that I can make a difference.  Influence.  That is the word we toss around in the blog-o-sphere.  How much influence do you have?  Have you asked yourself how much influence you are making?  When I started blogging as a single mother I shared my stories for others to either learn from my mistakes or for me to get their take.  We influenced each other.  We have a give take relationship as we hear each others voices.  I am learning to use my voice.

I want to continue to use my voice.  I want to continue to be inspired.  My eyes were opened up and the light bulb went off.  I want to help others do the same.  I want to help others see the world and help them step out into the world.  One blog post at a time.  My journey has not ended here but continues.  I want my fire to continue to burn as it did before.  I am not a writer.  I am a mother.  I am not a publisher.  I am a wife.  I am not a PR person.  I am a blogger.  I am me.  I am you.

I wanted to attend Blog Elevated this September, here in Houston.  I believe I have only gotten my toes wet and I want to jump off the diving board into the pool.  There is so much to learn, more to see, and that is where I want to BE.  I want to be BLOG ELEVATED!