Hello all,
Well, this blog is going to take a precedent from our assignment page this week. How do I feel about the lack of comment? The way I should, I suppose. I had been commenting on others' blogs, but the favor has not been returned-on either end. I suspect that, although just about everyone had complained about no one following them, that they didn't actually care to begin with. I think that theyare most likely just doing this to get through the class-when others obviously care about their voice, yet no one wants to play along. I have three kids, I have a husband, I have responsibilitites, I have a disease that puts me in pain 95% of the time and fatigues me until I don't want anything to do with anyone or any thing, and a strict teacher for A & P and I most recently became obsessed with a book and had a life-saving surgery as well as some serious life-alterning news, yet I found the time to check in on others and to make responses that I felt were conducive to their thoughts and hopefully inspiring them to continue. Yet the only comments I have recieved so far have come from the teacher. Is it disheartening? Yes, of course it is. That I poured out my heart a little at a time to help others in our class get to know me, and hoped to get to know them as well, only to be looked over as if I were boring them. However, can I understand that my class mates have things that they consider more important to them, that they feel it is time wasted to read me? I suppose I can.
After all, it's not easy to be me, and sometimes I wished that I didn't have to do this. I figure that it is too easy for me to allow major slips, letting everyone in on what many would consider "character flaws," such as my irritation for ignorance, my bull-headedness, my choice to be a Wiccan rather than a Christian, my complete disgust for self-induced weaknesses or lack of independant thoughts. What would they think of me then? Is it not a "weakness" to worry about what others think of you? So you see, I have tons of internal dialogue that screams at me on a continual basis, that I am weak and I disgust myself. I can always do better, so what am I doing?
I wouldn't want you to see that, would I?
Between you and me, if there were a you, what does it matter? Why is it that a tiny little blog in a see of millions can be so intimidating? Why is it that we can't just embrace the assignments, rather than just "put up" with them to make it through the class? Why are we making it so difficult on ourselves?
Here's an idea: Pick something random in your life. Anything-one of your children, perhaps grandchildren (like Kathleen's), your pet, your car, your town, your nightly dreams, your real veiws on things (like Abbi's), your pain and anguish in the unfairness of the position you are put into (like Trista's)-ANYTHING. Now, tell me about it. What, do you think I'm laughing? Didn't I just announce PUBLICLY my stepping out from within the proverbial "broom closet?" Get serious! It doesn't have to be as deeply personal or convincing as others', just something hearfelt and pure. Don't worry what others' thoughts on your own are, just do it. Then, when you're done, go to some of the links and click them-that is, your classmates' blogs-and read them. What will that take, five, possibly ten minutes? Read them, maybe two of them, and then at the end, post something for a comment. Start out with asking, "what is a nice thing to say to this person? How can I say 'good job?' " And then answer that question. That's it, quick and painless. Let someone know that you care enough about what they've said, even if you don't, to say "hey, nice job."
What if you don't think so, then? Then say it! "John, your grammar needs some work." "Jane Doe, your political views disturb me. I think..." "Mary, is this the most interesting thing you have to write about? Or are you just doing this to get by? I think you write very well-I wished that you'd try harder when I was reading...." Be enthusiastic and supportive, be honest but not brutal, and be real. I wonder if it wouldn't be so hard to do, if it were a mandatory assignment rather than a suggestion for you to encourage your classmates' work. Reciprocity has to begin somewhere, doesn't it?
Stick around, if you want-after today, this blog is about to get very real.
~Katie~
Well, this blog is going to take a precedent from our assignment page this week. How do I feel about the lack of comment? The way I should, I suppose. I had been commenting on others' blogs, but the favor has not been returned-on either end. I suspect that, although just about everyone had complained about no one following them, that they didn't actually care to begin with. I think that theyare most likely just doing this to get through the class-when others obviously care about their voice, yet no one wants to play along. I have three kids, I have a husband, I have responsibilitites, I have a disease that puts me in pain 95% of the time and fatigues me until I don't want anything to do with anyone or any thing, and a strict teacher for A & P and I most recently became obsessed with a book and had a life-saving surgery as well as some serious life-alterning news, yet I found the time to check in on others and to make responses that I felt were conducive to their thoughts and hopefully inspiring them to continue. Yet the only comments I have recieved so far have come from the teacher. Is it disheartening? Yes, of course it is. That I poured out my heart a little at a time to help others in our class get to know me, and hoped to get to know them as well, only to be looked over as if I were boring them. However, can I understand that my class mates have things that they consider more important to them, that they feel it is time wasted to read me? I suppose I can.
After all, it's not easy to be me, and sometimes I wished that I didn't have to do this. I figure that it is too easy for me to allow major slips, letting everyone in on what many would consider "character flaws," such as my irritation for ignorance, my bull-headedness, my choice to be a Wiccan rather than a Christian, my complete disgust for self-induced weaknesses or lack of independant thoughts. What would they think of me then? Is it not a "weakness" to worry about what others think of you? So you see, I have tons of internal dialogue that screams at me on a continual basis, that I am weak and I disgust myself. I can always do better, so what am I doing?
I wouldn't want you to see that, would I?
Between you and me, if there were a you, what does it matter? Why is it that a tiny little blog in a see of millions can be so intimidating? Why is it that we can't just embrace the assignments, rather than just "put up" with them to make it through the class? Why are we making it so difficult on ourselves?
Here's an idea: Pick something random in your life. Anything-one of your children, perhaps grandchildren (like Kathleen's), your pet, your car, your town, your nightly dreams, your real veiws on things (like Abbi's), your pain and anguish in the unfairness of the position you are put into (like Trista's)-ANYTHING. Now, tell me about it. What, do you think I'm laughing? Didn't I just announce PUBLICLY my stepping out from within the proverbial "broom closet?" Get serious! It doesn't have to be as deeply personal or convincing as others', just something hearfelt and pure. Don't worry what others' thoughts on your own are, just do it. Then, when you're done, go to some of the links and click them-that is, your classmates' blogs-and read them. What will that take, five, possibly ten minutes? Read them, maybe two of them, and then at the end, post something for a comment. Start out with asking, "what is a nice thing to say to this person? How can I say 'good job?' " And then answer that question. That's it, quick and painless. Let someone know that you care enough about what they've said, even if you don't, to say "hey, nice job."
What if you don't think so, then? Then say it! "John, your grammar needs some work." "Jane Doe, your political views disturb me. I think..." "Mary, is this the most interesting thing you have to write about? Or are you just doing this to get by? I think you write very well-I wished that you'd try harder when I was reading...." Be enthusiastic and supportive, be honest but not brutal, and be real. I wonder if it wouldn't be so hard to do, if it were a mandatory assignment rather than a suggestion for you to encourage your classmates' work. Reciprocity has to begin somewhere, doesn't it?
Stick around, if you want-after today, this blog is about to get very real.
~Katie~
Katie, I understand your frustration with your peers--and you are right. You have posted some really amazing comments on your classmates' blogs. You deserve to receive some, too, and I'm sorry that you haven't been. I urge you to share your blog address with your friends and family. You write wonderful blog entries, and I am certain that those around you who know you would very much love to read and comment on the things you have to say. Don't lose heart! If it's any consolation, I love reading your updates each week!
ReplyDeleteProfessor Tolen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement and praise. I really appreciate the effort you put into making me feel good about my work, and I do feel good about it. I also wish that everyone would take better care to react to everyone else's posts, too. Abbi writes so much differently than Kathleen, and it's such a cool contrast to read both of them. Everyone writes differently from each other, and everyone has neat stories to tell, and it seems like no one takes it seriously. Not only is everyone complaining that no one responds to them, but they aren't doing it, either. It's unfortunate, and I really hope that your next class takes this assignment more seriously. I think that it was an amazing way to express myself, and this was just a practice one for me since it is my first. There will be more, and I will let you know all about it as soon as I get my ideas organized. Thank you soooo much for this experience!
<3 Katie
Katie, I just figured out how to do this. We should have been commenting all along I guess. Im sorry for not figuring this all out sooner.
ReplyDeleteI <3 you Melissa :)
ReplyDelete