I’m shifting my perspective on blogging. The reason I started blogging was to build a platform for my writing and counseling services. Yet after blogging for over a year, I’m starting to realize that blogging has more important lessons for me to learn.
Wayne Dyer once interviewed Abraham Maslow about self-actualization. Maslow gave four characteristics of self-actualized people:
- Independent of the good opinion of other people
- Detached from outcome
- No investment in power or control of others
- See the unfolding of God in everyone they encounter and treating them that way
I can’t think of more noble characteristics, so I’m going to start blogging for self-actualization.
- I’m going to publish authentic and radically honest posts that are free from the fear of how others will judge or praise. I’m going to eliminate any fluff or rhetoric that is meant to cater to others wants, desires, or tastes.
- I’m going to give up all attachment to outcome. I have no idea of what my blogging will bring me in life. I have no idea if I will ever make any money from blogging. I blog simply because that is what I do.
- I’m going to give up any power or control I’m holding onto in relation to others. This comes in the form of judging other bloggers or writers. Comparing myself with others. Being jealous of others success as bloggers, counselors, writers, spiritual leaders, etc.
- I’m going to treat everyone who I encounter on the internet and in real life as a manifestation of God. Like Mother Teresa who saw Jesus in everyone she met, I will see the Christ Consciousness and Buddha Nature in everyone and treat them in the same way I would treat Christ and Buddha, with dignity, respect, and gratitude.
I realize that there are a lot of “I”s in the previous paragraphs–certainly some ego to be dealt with. On the other hand, I like the intentions and personal responsibility of these new resolutions–do I dare call them covenants?
Thank you for reading, smiling, and/or sharing.
Do you blog for a higher purpose? Please share.
everyday gurus 
commendably
noble aspirations;
fearless
non-attached
and smiling! 🙂
Yes, David, the smile comes with the honesty, vulnerability, and non-attachment, but I bet you already knew that. Have a joyful holiday week, my friend. We will be taking the kids to Legoland, so I will be thinking of you. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Do. There is no Try. by Yoda.
Yes, Perpetua. I edited the post to take out the trys. haha. Great observation. {{{Hugs}}} kozo
I learn by going where I have to go
~
theodore roethke
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my blog
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my
internal
thoughts
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conversations
with myself
anonymously shared
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with
others
I’m starting to realize that the sharing is as important a part of the process as the conversations, Geo Sans. Your sharing has helped me heal, learn, and grow. Thank you for that. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
our
dialogue
our
caring
our
human
essence
~
sharing
is
integral
for
understanding
and
compassion
Go placidly, be compassionate, I believe our purpose ,if any exists, is to love . It only has by products that benefit.
Wonderfully stated. I’ve had some epiphanies lately that we are love when we get out of our own way. Love is the flow and the movement that binds us all together. Ego is the dam that attempts to block the flow for itself. Being “placid” and compassionate help open the floodgates of love. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Let us be true: this is the highest maxim of art and life, the secret of eloquence and of virtue ~ Amiel.
My blog – to make sense of myself and the world around me. To offer encouragement when faced with adversity. To focus on being not having.
What a wonderful gift your blog is to the world, Tracy. I love the last sentence about being, not having. I also love the Truth we share on the blogosphere. Hope you are having a warm and memorable holidays with your amazing father and son. {{{hugs}}} kozo
What if, everyone became authentic with one another? The real you, the real me. Is that bottom line to peace?
Sounds like a good recipe of peace to me, Dave. Authenticity and vulnerability are a powerful combination that leads to understanding, love, and compassion. Thank you for being authentic. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Hey Kozo.. I haven’t really given that question much conscious thought but I do know i love the “connection” that is found out here and the inspiration that comes from all the melding of everyone’s hearts and minds. So I guess my answer is yes! This crazy place called WordPress is my Church of Blog. Merry Christmas Kozo! ((( hugs)))) Kimberly
Haha, Love, love, love the “Church of Blog,” Kimberly. Yes, the connections and inspirations are powerful. Guess that is why we worship multiple times every week. Preach on, Sista. Peace, Love, and Joy this holiday week to you, my friend. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Long time no talk, dear bloggy friend! Very noble intentions you have set for your blogging endeavors in the next year. I will certainly follow along!
You mentioned the I’s in your statement… It is within that the Journey takes place. I believe, if more focused within, rather than setting all expectations and focus without… The world of humanity would be a much more beautiful place in which to dwell.
Just watched a lecture by Alan Wallace about the importance of introspection, Dawna. Yes, focusing inside in order to diminish the ego seems key. I’ve found that the deeper I look inside, the more I feel connected with all that is. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
“I’m going to publish authentic and radically honest posts that are free from the fear of how others will judge or praise.”
I’ve always admired the personal stories you share. They really help me to connect with your ideas. It’s like, ‘if this REAL person can do it, then so can I’.
You’ve already shared things that I thought would take anyone a great deal of courage to talk about. In the past, and today, it has moved me to be more genuine in my own writing, talking about my actual life and practice more, rather than about esoteric ideas.
“I’m going to give up … comparing myself with others.”
I compare my writing to yours. I check to see if I’m really being honest- ‘Kozo’ honest. … I think I’ll formalize that standard of honesty and authenticity in blogging now, and call it Kozo Honest.
Haha, Kozo Honest. I love it, but it is really just honesty. I have been taking a counseling program that really encourages radical honesty, so I feel encouraged and comfortable telling the truth. The more I reveal, the more love I get in return. Not what I expected, so it has been a pleasant surprise.
My new practice is that when I start comparing myself to others, I use this as a reminder that we are all one. What a wonderful reminder. {{{Hugs}}} kozo
whew! you had me scared for a moment that you were going to STOP blogging! oh, the horrors! for I truly enjoy your posts and have missed reading you. I blog because I enjoy writing and one day I hope that it will make money for me. obviously I am not nearly there yet as my blog is not self hosted. when my other priorities in life are more stable, then I’ll begin that process….I’m aiming for about six years from now when I semi-retire
I’m lovin’ your new goals! keep up the great work and happy blogging 😉
Thanks, Tobyo. I love the long-term goal planning. We often get short-sighted in business and writing. One of my mentors said instead of pretending you have one year left to live, how about imagining that you have 400 more years left. What would you start today knowing that you had 400 years to accomplish it? For me, it has only been one year, so I have 399 years left to become a successful writer, blogger, father, husband, and human. 🙂
{{{hugs}} kozo
I am there with you.
Yay, let’s start a radical authenticity movement on WordPress! {{{hugs}}} Kozo
I know I’ve written this before however it bares repeating very courageous but a daunting task. I’m not sure if one can be totally open in word, thought, or deed without becoming vulnerable to others. I hope I’m making sense?
I get what you are saying, SSF. I’m starting to trust others with my vulnerability. Like Brene Brown says, “Daring Greatly.” It seems like the more vulnerable I become the more others find ways to love me. I have the comfort of hitting rock bottom a number of times, so I don’t really fear what others can do to me that I haven’t already done to myself. Thanks for the insight. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Reblogged this on AUTHENTIC TALK and commented:
blogging as part of a way of life….
Love blogging as a way of life, Lea. Sounds like a book to me. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
How inspired. I think I will have to read this post periodically, to remind myself of these higher goals.
Part of the reason I posted it, Georgia, is to remind/challenge myself to walk the walk rather than just talking the talk. Have a peaceful holiday week, my friend. {{{Hugs}} Kozo
Noble goals. I blog mostly for me, discussing my journey through my life, reported with naked honesty, and (I hope) sufficient humbleness. I discovered that I have learned a lot, about myself and about other people. I have discovered some beautiful/knowledgeable people.
Can’t think of a better combination than “naked honesty” and “sufficient humbleness.” I, too, have learned a lot about myself and others from blogging. Imagine what we will know and understand if we keep this up for 10,000 hours? {{{hugs}}} Kozo
🙂
I blog because I have things to say and in the venue I have a few readers who read what I write. Occasionally I spill personal thoughts, again I do so because I want to be heard. I tend to express my emotions through my writing.
I’m finding blogging as a form of emotional intelligence training, as well, SHO. I’m trying to get more personal. I find that being personal keeps me from “preaching.” haha. {{{Hugs}}} kozo
You bring me joy and ah ha moments, I shall be reading all that you write! I’m excited!
Wow, M, that means so much to me. As you know, being a joybringer is one of the reasons we are here. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
This reminds me of my recent post about ambition that I know you read and we had that conversation about awakening and enlightenment. I think the urge is in you and me so deep we have no choice. It’s one of those choiceless choices that life sometimes offers you. Like Don and me becoming nomadic.
I love the truth of this post, and that now your blog will become even more authentic, but then I always though your posts were authentic and radically honest. I love your courage and honesty.
(((((hugs)))))
Alison
Once again, we are of the same mind, Alison. Yes, your post on ambition influenced my declaration in this post. It feels so good to take a step and look around to see that you are already standing next to me. Love, Kozo
I find that there is the “being” me and the observer me. The observer me stands back admiring me “just being.” Ego dies a long slow death by inches, not just insight. If we are blessed, it will be two steps forward and one back and not the reverse. And it’s all grace, not under our control. Receptivity and awareness….yes. Effort…..no. Totally against our human nature.
Wow, Eileen, such wisdom from someone who obviously has experiential wisdom. I love the idea of an observer observing the being. Yes, ego strikes back every time we try to transcend it.
By the way, next week I’m interviewing Father Richard Rohr. I love his book Falling Upward. I think you might like his view of Christian Mysticism. Let me know what you think after I post the interview. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Wow! I enjoy reading your refreshing words of wisdom and enlightenment Kozo
Thanks, Robert. Hope you are enjoying the summer down under. I’ll be by soon for a visit to warm up. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Fabulous! I look forward to reading more : )
Thanks, Molly. Hope 2014 brings you peace and joy. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo