"The Luck of the Draw."
"As Luck Would Have It."
"Dumb Luck."
"Don't Push Your Luck."
"Down on His Luck."
"Lucky Duck."
"That's the Way Lady Luck Dances."
"Some People Have All of the Luck."
The Luck of the Irish."
"Happy- Go-Lucky."
The Art of Making your Own Luck.
About a year ago I decided to close by blog for a variety of reasons. When I started my blog nearly three years back my life was different. I didn't work full time, my back issues were manageable and my responsibilities were less. I had more free time. So I jumped into the blogging world with time to spare and loved the people and art I discovered. I met some wonderful spirits, many now friends. But slowly things changed.
I started working a lot more, pretty much full time, and my back became increasingly weak and was 'giving out'. I soon realized that there was a correlation between my back and sitting at the computer. I struggled to keep up with work and blogging. I had this terrible pressure (brought on by myself) to still try to visit all of the blogs that were visiting me, answering all of the comments, commenting back, etc. I wouldn't post a new entry until I had commented on all of the blogs who had commented on mine. All the while my back was killing me. To the point where an MRI was done and surgery (fusion) was directly in front of me which I rejected hands down. But I knew things had to change.
Cutting back at work wasn't an option (we own a construction company and I do love what I do there) so I decided I had to close my blog. I missed it immediately as it was a huge source of artistic fulfillment for me. Creativity with photography, writing, art, humor, wit, ego, all of it. I received many emails sharing that they would miss my blog. That meant the world to me. So, so, kind. But I had to give it up. It was a necessary decision. I had started physical therapy and really dedicated myself to it. I progressed to where I was able to walk 3 miles a day at a quick pace and do core strengthening exercises, as well. After a few months my back pain was all but gone but I knew I would have to continue with the exercises to maintain the quality of life I was and am so lucky to have regained. I am so, so, grateful that I have mostly good days now! But adding up the hours of exercising has cut into my time for other things which is, of course, worth it. Eleven hours a week as I calculate it now. Time that use to be spent blogging and blog hopping. I really missed blogging and sharing my art but I knew I wasn't going to be able to blog like I had before.
I slowly have come back and I am enjoying it so much. With one pretty big difference. I decided to have the comments option closed on nearly every entry. I knew I wouldn't be able to consistently visit those who were kind enough to visit me and leave a comment on mine. I knew the guilt would make me crazy and I hated the thought that I might come off as rude or indifferent for not reciprocating. So that's what I decided to do, close the comment section. Ironically, I did receive an email from an anonymous person saying that I came off as someone who 'thinks they're all that' and 'too good for everyone' - the exact opposite of why I closed my comments. That made me really sad. Perhaps others think that, too. I guess you can't please everyone. Hopefully, I have explained it a bit. Maybe blogging is supposed to be interactive. I did love that aspect of it but it just doesn't work for me anymore. I have readers/ followers (okay, now that sounds like 'I'm all that' but you know what I mean) who just want to read my silly blog and move on to the next one. That's who I post for. And I post for me, of course. I get a great satisfaction out of it.
You might have noticed, my posts are mostly photographs, not much text at all. That's because my back doesn't hurt when I'm taking pictures. I'm standing up! The issue is sitting. (I didn't do this post in one sitting- keyboard disdain!) I upload the photos and then I think about what I will do with them during the day. After I have the idea and flow in my head, I sit down and about 5 minutes later the entry is done and my back is grateful. Once in a while I open the comments because I do miss the connection, this being one of them. And some of you are so damned funny. I miss your witty remarks, opinions, views. I guess it will always be a struggle of sorts. So.......I feel very fortunate......lucky, to be able to express myself here.
I know it's one-sided most of the time but to those of you who continue to read my blog, I do thank my lucky stars. You guys are 'magically delicious'! Oh, wait. That's Lucky Charms. Mixing metaphors with cereal!
