Is it ReAlly BliSS...?

I am a blog hopper... I love to read other people's blogs. I love to see and hear what they are doing, what their families are up to, how they spend their days...their life struggles, sorrows, joys and triumphs. BUT...I have found a small problem in doing this-   
Most people write/post only the "BriGHt and CheeRFuL" things that happen in their lives, leaving people like me (just a plain, dull and ordinary person) thinking, "I wished I had their life" because by reading some of the posts, it sounds as though life is blissful and perfect all of the time...really, WHO wouldn't want your life?  ON the other hand, I am as guilty as the next when it comes to writing those "BriGHt and CheeRFul," misleading posts...most of us (ME for sure) don't want to "air our dirty laundry" for the world to see/hear. We fear judgement ( I do!) as well as help, so we harbor all of our "dirty little secrets" deep inside, keeping them tucked away...all to ourselves.

In my opinion, there is both good and bad with the theory to write ONLY upBeAt and haPPy things...

The good thing about sharing only the POSITIVE is-  It's enlightening to read about GOOD things that happen in this troubled world right now. Its nice to know that people are still taking their children to the park for picnics, that Christmas is a happy time for everyone and that kids can still say the "cutest" things ever. There is something that can be depressing about reading the down and outs of a "Debbie Downer" who is constantly whining and complaining about their problems....because "problems can be just like armpits, we all have them and they ALL STINK".... so sometimes its just nice to read about all the happy, fun things that go on in the every day lives of my blogging friends. 


YET on the other hand- sharing the ups, the downs and the "bad days" of one's life is often a help to those of us on the "readers end". By reading about someones struggles, it helps me become more compassionate, more thoughtful, more understanding and caring toward other people and the challenges that they face. There are many in the world that are living a "roller coaster" kind of life...full of struggles and challenges...knowing that we aren't alone is sometimes very comforting and often times gives us the reassurance that we can make it through our trials too.

I read a blog the other day that brought me to tears....literally, but not for the reason that you might think. This dear lady was having a really rotten week and she spilled her guts in a blog post. She wasn't looking for sympathy, she wasn't looking for pity or for words of advice, she was just venting...expressing her thoughts, her concerns and questioning "what might be next" for her and her family in her uncertain life. I cried because I could feel her pain...her sorrow and her anger... I cried because I felt her frustration, her heartache and even a little desperation as she expressed her most sincere and weighted thoughts. I instantly felt a bond to her. She was revealing some of her deepest worries and raw emotions over some struggles and challenges that she is having in her life right now...some of which are struggles of my own (but choose to keep to myself). I found myself wishing that I knew her, wishing we could talk and help each other get through our tough times together...wishing we could have each other to lean on as well as having an understanding shoulder to cry on, if needed. I was thankful that she was willing to do what I am not...to "let it all out there", so to speak. I know that she has her "BriGHt and CheeRFul" days too...because I've read those posts as well, but it was nice to know that she was human and living in the same "imperfect world" that I was living in. I sincerely appreciated her sharing her "NOT so BLISSful life..her NOT so happy DayS...and her "down in the dump" kind of moments. NOT that I was happy that she was having troubles in her life, that wasn't it at all...on the contrary it was just the opposite. I felt a sense of empathy as well as love for her...the kind of love that we should all feel for our fellow beings out in the world, especially during trying times.

Although I don't know that it's "my thing" to be able to share with the world what I am feeling or what is going on inside my life...I am very grateful that others are willing to express their deepest thoughts and struggles in writing . I realize that everyone out there in the "blogging world" that posts the "Pollyanna, life is perfect," kind of posts have their ups and downs in life too. Maybe they're just more like me and choose to "keep them tucked away, deep inside."

I will continue to blog hop as long as there is a blogging world...I will continue to read about the comings and goings in the lives of other people, the good things, the happy times and the "LIFE is grand" kind of posts...I may even still feel a little twinge of jealousy from time to time when seeing beautiful GREEN scenery in someones posted pictures (since I am experiencing BLAH white ugliness), when reading about the super exciting and fun things that other people get to do...I may even feel a twinge of jealousy when I see what you're eating for dinner (especially if mine is nasty)...but I will also continue to read about the difficult times of those out there that are willing to share their personal struggles and journeys as they express their feelings and frustrations, the way many of us wished we could do.