As Iron Sharpens Iron

I've always loved writing but I've never actually tried to appeal to an audience before. Well, that's not entirely true.  You see, I sing and I have written songs, so I suppose I always knew there was a possibility of others hearing what I wrote.  But my real reason for songwriting was to get my feelings out; it was my way of venting...of letting go, and if others appreciated the songs, all the better.  So here I am, starting this blog, and it's not to entertain.  If you've read this far then maybe you'll want to know why.  The obvious explanation is that I have strong opinions/thoughts about things and sometimes with that passion I need a place to write down (or type out) my perspective.  I could do it in a journal, after all my vulnerability is better guarded there.  I usually play it safe, though, and that isn't really what I'm going for here.  So, besides the fact that I want a place to "journal", I really want a place to discuss.  I want to know if others ever think about or come across the same types of things I do in their personal or professional lives.  More importantly, I want to hear about your experiences and how they've inspired or changed you.  Maybe I liked hearing myself talk at age 21, but at 30 I'm tired of the sound of my own voice already!  Even as I was filling out my profile on this blog I was trying not to gag as I had to write about myself and all these things surrounding ME.  I want to be confident in who I am, of course, but I am more concerned with who I am in relationship to others and the world around me.  A friend once told me "your mind is a bad neighborhood, don't go in there alone."  This reminder has proven an undying  truth in my life. We are always hearing messages about how "the answer lies within" and how "you can only count on yourself".  My take is this - if you go so far inward that you are no longer open to looking beyond yourself, you can really get trapped in a box of one dimensional thinking.  From personal experience, not only is this unhealthy, but you lose touch with the reality of who you are.  If we were meant to go it alone, we wouldn't be surrounded :).  Networking with like minded people is a wonderful tool and resource in the game of life, and I'd be just as appreciative to hear an opinion outside of my viewpoint.  There is a verse in the Bible that says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another", and that simple yet poetic brilliance is why I started a blog.  I love synergy and I love a healthy thought challenge.  In this technological day and age, where we are all supposed to be more connected than ever, I have been feeling detached {a topic for another time}. On that final note; I'd love to be in touch with real people who have something real to say.