Why I Blog?

According to Wikipedia, " A blog provides commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news. Others function as a personal online diary." With this definition, anybody can make a blog! And why shouldn't you?

I came up with 8 reasons why I should write a blog. Feel free to come up with your own.

1. It is an avenue to express myself. A blog allows me to share my thoughts and feelings in the world wide web. This lets other people know what a regular person like me is thinking. The human element in it makes it more interesting.
2. It will unravel my creativity inside. Initially, I was skeptical about starting a blog thinking that I do not have enough imagination to write a series of posts. Well, after a few weeks of focusing on it, it became easier and easier. Blogging allowed me to discuss various topics and constant writing will fuel that ingenuity.
3. It will improve my writing skills. Writing daily expanded my word selection, sentence construction and so on. When I read my earlier articles or posts, I observed a marked improvement. Just like any other skill, writing takes practice.
4. It links me to the rest of the world. A blog bonds me to other people through the thoughts, comments or opinions that I share. When I read someone else's blog, I know that I am in connection with a human being and not some corporate website.
5. It makes me a considerate writer. Knowing that my articles can be read by anyone who has Internet access, it made me a bit more conscious with my writing being careful not to offend any race, religion or culture by the issues I discuss.
6. It makes me a considerate reader. Having a blog myself enabled me to be understanding and appreciative of other people's views, experiences & knowledge.
7. It keeps a record of events. Writing everyday about the things happening around me serves as a journal that I can read back anytime I want. It may not be significant to me at present but five years from now, I know I will relish reading my posts again.

Well, so far these are what I can think of. How about you? What's your personal reason for blogging? Let me know your thoughts on this.

Topic Hunting

Imagine this. You start typing a few sentences then after that, a complete stop. Nothing follows. The harder you try to finish this, the more difficult it gets. I think every writer's fear is not having something to write about. I, for one, experiences this from time to time. Having days wherein I would feel that I could no longer squeeze any creative juices out of my mind is not new to me.

I observed that I would find it difficult to write when I am jaded by the day-to day events of living. When everything seems to be ordinary and nothing seems to be interesting. What could be worst than staring at your computer screen and nothing comes out? For bloggers like me, it is but essential to update one's blog regularly and doing this would require effort. So, I'd like to share some of the things that I do when hunting for a topic.

• Step out of the computer. This means diverting your energies by doing something else. It could be taking a walk, talking to a friend, playing with my kids or doing household chores.
• Ponder on the day's or coming events. Often, this could be a good kick start for a topic.
• Ask friends for ideas. You can't think of everything so you can seek suggestions from your friends as to what could be a good topic that to dwell on.
• Experience something new. Routine zaps out the creative juices that we have inside us. Now, I don't mean you have to go bungee jumping or skydiving for you to be able to write. Just try to step out of your comfort zone so as to encounter something new. It is through this occurence that one would be able to fertilize that creativity in us needed in writing.
• Read newspapers. This is a good way to know what's going on around you and writing your opinions about current events could be a start.
• Write your ideas. Sometimes, ideas can come to you when you least expect it. If this is the case, having a pen and notebook with you always will enable you to jot down your idea and not forget about it. You can then go back to it later when you are ready to write.
• Be sensitive to inspirations. Inspirations do not always come handed down in a silver platter. You just have to attune your senses to look for it and work with what you have.

Working from Home

Working from home is what I've been doing for the past 3 years. I've worked in a telecommunications company before but I knew that the corporate set-up would not suit me. And I was right. I was happy with my job and with my colleagues but I was not happy with the rigidness of a corporate set-up. But most of all, I was not happy that I missed out on some of my family's activities.

I knew I had to choose. And so I resigned. When I did quit, I was excited that I had so much plenty of time, that I can enjoy the day with my young kids while the older ones are at school, that I do not have to dress-up and worry about the reports I have to submit, that I can watch the late morning TV programs that I would normally miss and so much more. I was ecstatic!... at least for the first 2 months.

After a while, I became restless. I knew I wanted to do something, something that could make me feel occupied and at the same time earn extra income. Besides, it is liberating to know that I earn my own money.

So I started a home based business and been doing some freelance writing on the side. This enabled me to dictate my own time and decide my work load. It is a perfect set-up on the outside but working at home also has its setbacks.

You see, it is twice as hard to get things done when you work at home. The enemy mainly is distraction. With writing, it is difficult to be distracted because there would be instances wherein nothing comes out and there would also be instances wherein ideas are racing out of my mind and I am typing very fast. So, you could just imagine how impatient I would get when I am suddenly stopped from my work.

Since I work at home, a lot of things could distract me like my kids, the telephone, the TV, the mailman etc. You really have to be disciplined and allot a time to really just work and shut yourself up from all the things going on around the house. It would also mean training the kids to respect your time when you are working.

But, nothing could be more perfect for me than this present set-up that I have. Despite it's disadvantages, I love it and I wouldn't exchange it for anything else.

Earn Extra Income

Lately, I have been dabbling with Google Adsense and how to earn from it. I've known about this for some time but it is just now that I really took the time to read on how I can wisely add it in my blog. Google pays $20 cents per click. Not much especially for somebody who's starting like me. Doesn't matter, I said to myself. This is extra income for my part and I enjoy writing in my blog.

There is much more to Google Adsense than what I thought. Below are some of the things I've learned when using Adsense:

1. Your ads need to have the right combination of colors and size. It has to be attractive but at the same time it has to blend in your blog or website. This is important so as the reader would assume that it is part of your blog.
2. You have to update your blog regularly. Everyday if possible. This would encourage crawlers to go through your blog.
3. Write quality articles. Not too short and full of pictures.
4. Write something that ordinary people can relate to.
5. If possible, target your readers. Personally, this is something I find it hard to do because I write based on what inspires me at the moment and based on my experiences. Knowing your readers would mean writing articles constantly about a specific topic. This would be an advantage when it comes to your ads.

Google Adsense, given the right focus, can serve as an extra income for working moms like me. It gives me the chance to do what I enjoy doing and at the same time earn extra from it.

Working moms

Working moms are common nowadays as compared to the days of our mothers and grandmothers. Mothers work either out of choice or because they have no choice. If they work, they could be handling a full time career, a business or doing part time/freelance work. In my situation, I worked out of choice. I have experienced being a full time mom and although I love being with my kids, there is still something amiss. I don't know but perhaps I look for the mental stimulation that talking to 3 to 7 year olds could not satisfy. Don't get me wrong. Staying at home to take care of the kids is a noble choice and decision. Children need their mothers especially in their formative years. However, being a mother doesn't necessarily mean giving up yourself. No, giving up is too strong of a word. Perhaps, losing oneself is better. It is a reality that in the everyday chaos of raising a family, there is the tendency to focus only on the kids, talk about the kids and give everything to the kids. But I believe that a mother should not forget to give also to herself. To do activities that she enjoys and that will enable her to flourish as a person. I'm sure my kids will understand my choices and will be proud that their mama has her own achievements aside from giving birth and raising kids. It is also empowering to know that you can contribute to the family's vessel of wealth.

I worked for 2 years in a telecommunications company and the experience and friends I gained there is irreplaceable. However, the demands of the corporate life is too much for a mother of 4 kids to handle. I decided to quit, and slowly start my own business. Having my own business suits me better because I am able to dictate my work hours and work load. Though it is not as stable as being an employee, it keeps me busy and makes me financially independent. As I've read somewhere, working is what makes us distinct from our animal kingdom counterparts.

Reflecting on this, I am fortunate for the opportunities that came my way. I encourage other mothers out there to reach out to their dreams. It doesn't have to be a full blown business right away. It can spring from a simple hobby like baking or cross stitch. Look around you and discover what you enjoy doing. Maybe this hobby can jumpstart a home based business that can lead to a dream you've always wanted. There are never ending possibilities..... doors that may lead to another but you will never know unless you start NOW and give it a try.