I’m always enthused about the changes that come with the new school year, and then the new calendar year.
This year, the new school year was meant to bring an increased focus on my blog and an increased focus on my personal writing.
Then life kind of changed from my original plans and I had to readjust. Not only did I not increase focus on my blog, but my focus was reduced.
Drastically.
So when the new calendar year rolled around, I (rightfully) decided that one of my goals of 2013 needs to be a reduced focus on my blog, while I figure out what direction I want to go, both online and personally.
But it’s now making me sad!
Because I like to know what I’m doing. I especially like to be in control. And I don’t like this feeling I’m having about my blog. That I don’t have the time to devote to it to help it grow, and that I’m not sure it’s “worth it” to continue with something that’s not growing or changing.
But then I say to myself, “How is ‘worth it’ defined?” I know there are people who read my blog and feel like their lives are improved from it. Does that, in itself, make it “worth it” for me?
If one life is changed for the better through my words, isn’t that “worth it?”
But in an online world where everyone’s yelling into the canyon looking for the echo back, sometimes I do wonder if that’s enough.
What do you think? Is helping one person enough? Helping five? 10?
I always think of the starfish story by Loren Eiseley. The story of the person who’s walking down the beach throwing one starfish at a time back into the ocean and someone comes and says “you’ll never get to them all. There are thousands out here. You’re not going to make a difference.” And the person throws another one back into the ocean and says, “I made a difference to that one right there.”
And whenever I hear that story, I have my answer.
Yes, even if I’m only helping one person, it’s enough.
There’s hope in that.
xo
Missy


















I think blogging is a particularly frustrating venture at times. There are so many voices out there, and it can be hard to feel like you’re making a difference, especially when the end-game isn’t exactly clear. xo
angela recently posted..What I Learn When They Learn
Yes. Exactly. Thanks for understanding, Angela.
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Newsletter, Volume 2, Edition 1 – Winter 2013
There is definitely hope in that.
Tracie recently posted..Moments of Perfection
Thanks, Tracie.
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Newsletter, Volume 2, Edition 1 – Winter 2013
I feel the same way as Angela. But I love the starfish story. I do think any you can help is worth it. Plus at least for me writing is practice and if I want to improve the only way I can do that is to write. But I do feel like I’m screaming into the void sometimes. I’ll check out your blog
Corey Feldman recently posted..Contest for free iBooks version of Egret the Elephant V1
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Thanks, Corey. And I love thinking of it in terms of practicing your writing. Good attitude.
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Newsletter, Volume 2, Edition 1 – Winter 2013
*Sigh* I love this so much. Sometimes I am asked why I spend so much time writing about my own struggles and stories … it’s exactly because of what you said. If I can help one person, it’s worth it.

Corinne recently posted..The Tuppy Chronicles – Part One
Thank you for understanding, Corrine. And thank you for the very thoughtful comment.

Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Newsletter, Volume 2, Edition 1 – Winter 2013
Yes, there is hope in that. I get to that point, wondering if it all is worth it, about once a week. But I always come back to the same place you did – yes it is all worth it.
Tricia recently posted..Weekly Gratitude #57: F as in flu
I love it!

idiosyncratic eye recently posted..The Day They Got it Right
Lately on my own blog my comments have dropped really low yet it seems my stats still show people visiting. I’ve decided to continue bloging more for me and to continue my own practice in writing and also reflecting.
I take things day by day. And what I’ve started to do more than set goals, is set priorities 1st. Sometimes life gets so busy that’s all you can do is prioritize…
Kate F. recently posted..Can Potty Training be Fun?
It’s so easy to fall into the “worth it” trap with blogging. I think we all do sometimes. But not only is it worth it if you’re helping one person, it’s worth it to you as well. Think of all the things you get out of blogging. That’s worth it, right?
Robin recently posted..Life Well Lived
I struggle with the same thing. I don’t have the time to devote to making my blog as big as it could be and I’ve become content with that. There are phases in our lives and right now my main focus has to be my family which means that sometimes my writing and blogging goals go by the wayside. So I guess I tell myself that it is enough to make just one person smile. Even if that one person is just my sister.
Stacey recently posted..Un-Cleaning tips for Pinterest
Just one makes all the difference in the world. I’m glad you can see the hope in that.
SAM recently posted..Be Inspired