I am in a state of shock. It’s happening.
Half way through the online course “How to Build a Blog You Truly Love” our inspirational coach/leader Liv Lane has challenged us to step outside our comfort zones and post something brave on our blogs.
There’s just one tiny potential hiccough.
I’m taking the course whilst missing the key item. A blog. No. I don’t have a blog to post something brave on.
Until now.
Yes, my response to the challenge is to conquer my fear and actually write and publish a post.
It would probably be helpful to explain my reluctance to publish on the site I’ve held since August 2012. Rather than a writing issue it’s one of technology. I’m simply not fond of it – especially when it mysteriously doesn’t work as it should. Some folks delight in figuring out why things don’t work. I’m not one of them. Frankly, just the thought of trying to unravel a technology issue is daunting to me.
I’m the woman whose cell phone email inbox is flooded each morning with unwanted spam from “pals” of Angelina Jolie, Katy Perry and Reese Witherspoon. My response? Choke back the frustration and simply delete each one individually. Also, our household printer hasn’t worked for several weeks. Each print request is answered by a mute reprimand of a “Communication Error” and the refusal to print. Anything that needs printing must be forwarded to friends. Not terribly convenient but preferable to wading through the “troublespotting” booklet.
In short, regarding the actual setup of the blog site, I’ve been paralysed by fear. Fear that I won’t understand the language, the directions, indeed even the navigation of the site. It’s been so easy to give into the fear and put off the blog creation for just one more day. Until now. Thanks to Liv’s challenge I am choosing to overcome it. Perhaps the title of this post should be “A JUG of Courage”.
I invite you to cast your eyes over this page I’ve created since accepting the challenge.
Note the somewhat plain sidebar, the dearth of badges and buttons and tabs, and the lack of links to “Blogs I Follow” etc. I haven’t summoned the courage to go there yet. I will. You’ll also notice that I somehow deleted the “About” tab. However, I refuse to let that prevent me from publishing this post.
Instead allow me to direct your attention to the lovely banner at the top. This picture of Lion’s Gate Bridge and the north-shore mountains of Vancouver (where I grew up and continue to live nearby) is something of which I am rather proud. Not only did I manage to download it from the camera on my phone, I managed to keep it from vanishing inexplicably. Progress.
That weensy photo of me in the top left corner is a triumph as well. The size of the original creation took over the entire page.
Thank you Liv. I know I’d still be coasting in “never- never” land if not for your nudge. Yes, I’m well aware that I’ve a lot to learn about the technology of blogging. However, as of this minute I’m less afraid of it. I invite everyone to check back with me and see what blossoms on this site.
In the meantime, have a gander at the dare to be brave postings of my fellow classmates. Judging by the wealth of communication that has flourished between us over the past few weeks, I know you’ll find them engaging and worthy. You can find them here – http://blog.livlane.com/2013/05/brave-2013.
Now if someone could please share where my “About” tab has gone I’d be forever grateful.
