Learning How to Have Presence on the Web

Which way do I go?  What does it all mean?
  What do I need?  Can I afford it?
Image Courtesy of  [Stuart Miles]/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For someone who is learning step by step On-the-Job-Training, making decisions about the great world-wide web can be daunting, especially when you have nothing except basic computer training.  However, I have to admit, the makers of computers and webpages, etc.  have made it quite easy for us trainees to figure it out.  I often think how proud my son would be if he could see all the stuff Mom and Dad have learned about computers.  Maybe he is in heaven saying, "I told them they would love it.  I told Mom she would be looking recipes up on the computer."  I bet he didn't realize I would have my own blogs.  Have you figured out by now, I love using my computer and the internet?

For several weeks I have been traveling the internet and trying to figure out the stuff about having a website or your own domain.  To be honest, I am not sure if they are the same thing.  Maybe, some of you techies can explain it to me.  Finally today after browsing, I called GoDaddy.com, because I just did not know what to do.  I was impressed with the answers and the helpfulness of the young man I talked to.  And I know, I still have so much to learn.  The one thing I have decided is that I am not ready for my own website -- maybe, later.

It is not worth the hassle and potential headache I would get right now.  I got stressed yesterday trying to figure out what to do -- no Fibromyalgia brain fog, just felt indecisive and rightly so.  I am glad I didn't jump into anything.  I have enough going on with the Christmas season and my home.  I haven't even decorated yet.  So, I am giving myself a break, and going to continue the step by step process.  I am going to continue with Blogger.  Blogger I love you.  You make it so easy to blog.  Thank you.  I don't know if they will see this, but it has been wonderful.  I am thankful for the ease I have had to break into blogging and for the great daily writing habit I have been developing -- just what I need to write my book.

Journal Creatively for Healing

Sometimes it helps to get the negative thoughts out,
 and  work on changing them to positive thoughts.

Writing your thoughts down on paper can clear your head, and help you make sense of your life.  Creative expression, whether it is doodling, mixed media, or simply writing down your thoughts in your own handwriting can be an outlet of spiritual expression, as well as therapy for changing negative thoughts into positive thoughts.  

This is one of the first journal pages I did.
It's not fancy:  I used lots of stickers.
But the words had power and connection.
This was a big step in my healing process.

  
Spending 5 to 15 minutes writing or drawing may be just the thing to help you think more calmly or to help you focus when you are in a fog.  You may find you want to spend longer.  I also enjoy responding to scripture I have read:   I remember it better, and it often becomes a prayer or a meditation.  Expressing yourself creatively is something that you can do freely, as an enjoyable outlet for healing in your life -- no worrying about doing it perfectly allowed.




If you would like to read more about creative expression:  there are some excellent books that have wonderful ideas and examples to learn from.  Some are a treat just to browse through.  I have created a list for you to look through:  books that I have already enjoyed, as well as others I still want to read.

One night this winter when I was having a relapse, 
I felt frustrated with my condition and myself.
I had no plan for what was going on the paper. 
 I just knew I needed to use color and words to find solace and comfort.  
This was a meditation of sorts, a prayer to God.  
And I did find my answers.

This was just for fun.  And I was practicing different techniques 
I could use in my journal.
I especially like the heart on the left and the angel.

The Grab Button That Works!

Today, I discovered my Grab Button didn't work, so I decided to fix it.  Well, I got tense and more tense, as I played around with the code I had gotten from a website that helps people fix buttons.  And it still did not work.  Argh!

However, I do not give up easily.  I figured I had copied something wrong, or deleted something that I was supposed to keep. And now, I have a lovely grab button on 
Learning to Balance Life Changes.  I love my button:  I worked hard to get it right...

It's Not Failure, It's Discovery

This is Learning to Balance Life Changes' sister page.  It is still taking shape and I am not absolutely sure how it will change along the way.  My hope is that you will find encouragement in these pages.

Image courtesy of [Evgeni Dinev]/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the things now, that I do not worry about is failure.  

In Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, he brought out some points that have stayed with me.  At the time I read it, I was feeling disappointed because my illnesses had affected my ability to continue in my dream job:  teaching.  Teaching is tough, hard work, and I was sure I would love teaching 7th graders, as much as I had loved teaching other ages.  And I did like it, but my physical strength was leaving me quickly.  There were days I drove home, that I felt like I was dying, because of my illnesses.

On Day 32, Warren talks about using your gifts.  He is talking about the spiritual gifts, which some people think of as abilities or talents that God gives each Christian.  Whether you are a believer in Christ or not, there is something that I think most people can take from what I learned.  Warren wrote, "Just start serving, experimenting with different ministries, and then you'll discover your gifts" ( 2002, p.251).  I realized that I had done that with teaching.  I was very good at teaching small groups, teaching younger students, and teaching high school students.  But as hard as I tried, I was no match for the shenanigans of 7th graders.  If I had been well...