Why do so Many People Blog?

I just finished watching the movie "Julie and Julia". This movie is the reason why I started a blog. It also made me think of my thought for today. Why do so many people blog?

I don't know if anyone other than my mother reads my blog but I do know that my voice is out there, even if no one cares to listen. I think that is why we blog. To be heard. To be more than just a whisper in a noisy world. The fact is, we are all whispers but a lot of whispering becomes loud.

We could write our thoughts down on paper as it was traditionally done before the age of computers, internet and blogging. I think just the thought of possibility that our whisper is being heard is enough to make so many of us write in a blog. It gives the sensation of being a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. We feel a little bit bigger in a world so large and less likely to get lost in the sea of people. We are a part of something and maybe no one is listening and we are smaller than we think but that is alright with me. I am just happy to be here.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by something that it was almost debilitating? You could feel overwhelmed about a project that needs doing, a test you have to take, a chore that you keep putting off because you cannot get past the sense of being so overwhelmed.

Anything can cause you to feel overwhelmed.It happens to us all and it is normal. I procrastinate when I feel overwhelmed by something. Sometimes procrastination in itself can cause you to feel overwhelmed. The longer you let something go the more you feel overwhelmed about tackling that particular task.

Some deal better than others and just dive right in. Others procrastinate and allow the task to build and build, even if only in their heads. The task itself may not get bigger but it becomes bigger mentally. Feeling overwhelmed is a mental debilitation.

We all just need to calm down and take each task in small steps. By breaking up a large task in to smaller ones our sense of being overwhelmed will diminish. We have to put ourselves in the mindset that we will tackle our task and we will accomplish our goals no matter how small or big. Anything can be accomplished with lessened overwhelming power when broken down in to small steps. Baby steps, one piece at a time.

Thought

Today's thought is just about that; thought. Sometimes the need to just be alone with your thoughts is necessary to your mental health. Right now for instance, I feel the need to be alone with my thoughts. I usually feel this way around this time of night. TV no longer holds my interest. I do not want to play on the computer, do chores or work on any projects.

Some nights I go to bed, what some would consider early, just to be alone with my thoughts. I sit in bed and write in my journal. I just lay there and think or try not to think, but all the same I enjoy the silence. I think quiet time is necessary. Time to think, time to relax, time to quit thinking and time for meditation. I enjoy this time and have come to look forward to it.

Try putting some time aside to be alone with your thoughts. Be in silence, write in a journal or just sit back and reflect. I think you will find you enjoy your quiet time as well.

Do You Think Anyone Gave up Prayer for Lent?

My husband had a good thought that I am stealing for my blog. He said "Catholics are supposed to give up something they love for Lent, what if they gave up prayer. Would they find it life altering in some way". I pondered this for a moment.

Recently friends of ours had given up their love of something for Lent. One gave up potatoes and one gave up meat. They gave up something they loved and the possibilities are endless for all those people who give up something for Lent. A devout Catholic who loves to pray, would they give up prayer? I figured they wouldn't but it is something to ponder. Would their life change in any way if they stopped praying? Would they feel as though they were betraying God by giving up prayer? Would the thought even cross their minds? It does make you think about it though.

What would happen if you gave up prayer for Lent?

Religion vs. Spirituality

Today's though is about religion and spirituality. I believe there is a big difference between the two. I was raised in a religion but chose to leave when I was 16-years-old. I personally think that religion was created to control the masses. I also notice that each religion claims to be the "true" religion. Either they are all right or they are all wrong.

I do believe that a person can be spiritual and believe in God without having religion. To me, the two are separate. I consider myself a spiritual person and do not feel the need to find religion. I do not need someone to tell me what to believe and what not to believe.

Those in a religion, especially those that are devout think that a person cannot possibly be spiritual without religion, and their religion. As I said, they are either all right or all wrong. I cannot possibly agree with everything a religion tells me. I think we are meant to question at times because that is how we grow. Ask questions, don't take everything at face value and don't believe everything someone tells you. We are all imperfect so how can there possibly be a perfect religion.

I do not need religion to believe in a higher power. I do ask questions and I am smart enough to know that I am not meant to know all the answers. Some questions about life and the world are meant to be left unanswered.

So to sum things up, religion and spirituality are completely separate. At least that is my thought.

Superstitions

The thought of today is superstitions. Why do people believe in superstitions?

Superstitions can involve good or bad luck, events that may or may not happen. Here's one; If it rains on Easter Sunday it will rain for the next seven Sundays. Black cats are good or bad luck depending on who you ask. The number 13 is good or bad luck depending on who you ask. If you ask my husband he will tell you that if it's bad luck for everyone else, it's good luck for him. He has a 13 tattooed on his arm.

Don't walk under a ladder. Breaking a mirror is seven years bad luck. Step on a crack and you'll break your mothers back. These are all superstitions that some believe in and some don't. I don't believe in superstitions. I will not wear a particular piece of clothing continuously because if I take it off my favorite sports team will lose. Not that I have a favorite sports team because I don't particularly like sports anyway.

If you really analyze a superstition and maybe do an experiment or two you will find that the superstition has no merit. A superstition is only kept going by those who believe in them, not because there is any real merit to them.

Some things are just strange and this is one of them to me. I will never understand those who are superstitious. But to each his own. Live and let live.