Thursday, January 18, 2018
My Goal Is NOT To Change You
By: Donovan Baldwin
When I first put my comments here, on Blogger and social media, independent comments as opposed to comments on other comments, I was not sure what my goal was.
I wanted to write, and I wanted someone to read what I wrote, but, I had no larger goal than that.
Then, "that" happened. I HAD readers, and I was faced with a new choice.
Should I use these platforms to exercise mind control over my readers, amuse and amaze them, or, with blinding words and brilliant wit, offer them advice on how to live their lives (the big temptation)?
After some thought (I won't tell you how much or how little), I decided that I like you pretty much the way you are, and don't really have any major desire to change you.
Yet, that "advice" thing still nudged at the back of my mind, and my ego. So, after some thought, I decided to mainly talk about me and my thoughts, my musings, errant and otherwise, and out loud. I could tell you what I was feeling, thinking, remembering, and, if you liked it, you could respond or move on.
What I have found is that a lot of what I say resonates...not with everyone or every time, but, one human telling a story about themselves reminds another of a similar story, or provokes a thought about life or self.
Kind of like neighbors at the back fence chatting.
I like that.
I like hearing from friends.
Join me?
I wanted to write, and I wanted someone to read what I wrote, but, I had no larger goal than that.
Then, "that" happened. I HAD readers, and I was faced with a new choice.
Should I use these platforms to exercise mind control over my readers, amuse and amaze them, or, with blinding words and brilliant wit, offer them advice on how to live their lives (the big temptation)?
After some thought (I won't tell you how much or how little), I decided that I like you pretty much the way you are, and don't really have any major desire to change you.
Yet, that "advice" thing still nudged at the back of my mind, and my ego. So, after some thought, I decided to mainly talk about me and my thoughts, my musings, errant and otherwise, and out loud. I could tell you what I was feeling, thinking, remembering, and, if you liked it, you could respond or move on.
What I have found is that a lot of what I say resonates...not with everyone or every time, but, one human telling a story about themselves reminds another of a similar story, or provokes a thought about life or self.
Kind of like neighbors at the back fence chatting.
I like that.
I like hearing from friends.
Join me?
Labels: advice, change, comments, donovan baldwin, goal, social media, thought, writing
