Saturday, April 9, 2011

Told You So


Please excuse this small inside 
token of conversations 
I have had over the past few weeks.
Discussions of what is valued
by me and my friends.
Staying true to ourselves and maintaining
authentic lives in a sometimes difficult 
and misleading world, both the real one and in blog land.
Making sure my compass points true north.

I told you guys I would do it,
fly a banner 
that's not just "about the pretty."
Thank you my dear friends for always being there,
and letting my voice be heard in a safe and 
nurturing environment. 

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... 
It has no survival value; 
rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Honesty, a difficult thing in this day and time, so important though! Trust is the one I hold dear...and things like morals, ethics, responsibility! A thought provoking post and a lovely banner!

Terra said...

Excellent banner and theme, and I love C.S. Lewis' wise words about friendship. I enjoy visiting you here.

Beatnheart said...

It’s not always about the pretty. Sometimes when I read the pretty blogs I wonder what’s wrong with me...how is it that these women are so superior and able to do so much, with a passel of children under homemade skirts, and I can barely make it through the day on my own with 2 cats and a husband. I feel like something is wrong with me many times but I realize the pretty is just a state of mind and perhaps I am not as bright and productive as some but I do care and I do want to do my part. Thanks for keeping it real OGMare.

oldgreymare said...

Thank you so much Tara and Theanne, and Beatnheart

Well there has been a lot of game playing and foolishness hovering about and so a bunch of us have been taking a pledge of sorts to rise above the fray.
I kept saying in conversations, I'm going to make a banner that says it's not just about the pretty. I mean really, we have to carry that societal stereotype over into our blogs too?

We can be so much more than just a pretty blog. We can affect change and nurture and support this community of women in so many ways. There is a place for the commercial side but also the spiritual, the political, the "life is sometimes hard and I have the grumblys today". No one should ever allow within themselves feelings of "not being good enough" with their eyes always on the numbers.

Moving past the high school clics and feelings of "I need to dress like her, look like her, be like her...

So in order to make my chums laugh I put together a quick banner, because I said I should, and so I did.

I am so grateful for these connections and honor and value you all..aw gosh, gettin' a little misty here.

z

the old white house said...

Z~ loved the post, loved your comment. You are so right, last week I took pictures of my incredibly messy workroom, both before and after but when looking at the befores I thought "do I really want to out myself like that?" I mean they scared even me!!!
Seriously, we all know that life isn't perfect for everyone but sometimes the blog is the escape from all of the other 'stuff' that might be weighing on my mind. Sometimes just focusing on the crafty side of life and not the heavy stuff helps to get through the heavy stuff.
I am most definitely a 'half-full' kind of girl and so when the skies are gray I am always looking for the sun to peak out just a bit, even if just for a minute or two.
I am kind of a PollyAnna if you haven't guessed that yet, so even in my everyday real existence I try not to dwell on the hard stuff and push through with a smile.
I bet you already knew that though:)
We talked about the numbers thing before, you know that in the beginning I thought those were so important but after blogging for a while I have come to the understanding for myself that I have met and became friends with some wonderful women that I cherish... you know you are in that group... and that has been just what I need! The crazy thing is that even though I thought I wanted a ton of followers, I think when that happens to people than many of them seem to lose the personal connections they had. I have even considered shortening my blog roll because I have missed posts from friends.
Wow, I didn't mean to fill your comment section up... I guess really need to chat and soon!
love, t. xoxo

the old boathouse said...

Hello, i just found you through Julie at Being Ruby, we both had the same joke about the "jugs" ha and I thought, who is this person who thinks like me, ha. You have a beautiful blog and I really love your recent post. I agree it is not all about the "pretty", there is also the "ugly" that makes us appreciate the pretty when it comes along all the more. Hope you are having a lovely day Cheers Katherine

Charlene said...

Suzan,

I have been traveling & when home trying to squeeze work in so I could zip off again & have missed so much from my favorite blogland buddies... I haven't gone back to read all of the posts but, i get the gest of them from your post & the comments here... There is ugly out there but, we can create our own place & yes, there will be "mean girls" that find us even here in what we think is our "safe world" but, you know I don't worry about the numbers...I do my blog for me. It is my journal. I have made amazing friendships with women that sometimes I really get to meet in person & I LOVE my friends. They are my gift!!!!! God gives us our family but, we CHOOSE our friends. I am so glad I found you & you make my world a prettier place. Yes, there will be poopy days... Just wash them off & deal with things the best you can is my motto. And a burden is often so much lighter when carried by two or more. HUGS dear friend. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!
Charlene

June said...

Hey Z, you should have been here for the ugly today! I cleaned out a closet in the spare room and it was crazy. But I ditched a lot of stuff. whoo hoo! Most of it was Dale's. LOL! (not really)

Sending love...

Allie said...

Very beautiful thoughts here on your blog. I am a new follower of yours. This is a very nice place to visit. I'll be back. Nice music too!
www.skylarkmanor.com

Jillayne said...

One of the first things that drew me to your blog was your willingness to post honestly about what was on your mind. All we really know about a person is what they choose to tell us, and because of your straight-shooting honesty, I feel as though I do know YOU a little, even though we've never met or spoken.
Pretty and fluffy can be appealing for a while, but without any substance, it's eventually just petals in the wind.
When someone makes you think, gives voice to your own thoughts, shows what matters to them and isn't afraid to question or challenge, a connection is formed.
I love that you do this - I love that you call out silly behaviours that can only be self-serving and I love that you support the idea that friendships that can formed in the unlikliest of places, in the unlikliest of ways as long as they are safe, honest and true.
Your blog is one of the best I know for satisfying all the senses - you do thoughtful, sensitive, provoking, uplifting, sharing and in all of that, there is always pretty. You have shown they don't have to be mutually exclusive. Bravo!

Tanya said...

Got some pretty ugly life things going on myself, this week...thanks for this, Z! I can always count on this blog for an honest visit, and thank you for that. Missed you at EB yesterday - got a FABULOUS, unexpected treasure for myself, and two for Silva.

Thanks for the CS Lewis quote, too - most excellent! XOXO Tanya

Cindy said...

I love your blog, I have been reading it for a couple of months and find it very inspirational. I REALLY love this post...it not just about "being pretty". It was a reminder to have my compass pointing to the true north. Thanks for the great post

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Cheers to you!! I admire your honesty!