The Sunday Roast

The Blogger With A Life-Affirming View

This week's interview is with Corey, who writes
the blog Living And Loving Every Minute Of It.

The first of the standard weekly questions: Why do you blog?

I started blogging last spring, after enjoying the process of reading some blogs of a few friends of mine. I got hooked and wanted in on the fun as well. Sometimes I can be a bandwagon jumper like that. My main incentive was to start using my brain in a fashion it hadn't been exercised in for a while. I wanted to convince those ever depleting braincells to STOP shriveling, and to challenge my brain to possibly regain what was lost.

I am a prime example of the "If you don't use it you lose it" theory. I have forgotten more than I will ever know. I figure if I encourage myself to think .... read .... and write creatively, I just might stop the slippery slope to being clueless.

However, once I got going with my blog, I discovered my greatest joy was in sharing my photography. For some odd reason, it is harder to trust that those in your "real life" are being straight with you when it comes to the quality of your photos. It is much easier to take the opinions of strangers who have no reason to blow smoke up your hiney.

I still blog for the two previous reasons stated, but now I am very connected to the blogging community and love sharing in the bits and pieces of so many lives. I find it makes ME a better person. Reading ... taking in .... acknowledging our similarities and differences .... helps ME become a more empathetic person, and I believe in the end .... THAT is imperative.

What's the story behind your blog name?

Long ago, I made the decision that it was time to just start concentrating on the positive. Life is too short to feel sorry for yourself. It is up to each individual to make their life what they want it to be. I believe in the power of positive thought. If I choose to be happy ... then I will be happy. I take each day at a time, and try not to worry about whether I have everything I want, just love what I have. Life is good. I am blessed.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

I love the freedom to be me. I love having a place that I am entitled to just talk about whatever I want, without worrying if it is interesting to others. I can celebrate life without feeling boastful. I can share my photos without feeling like I am pushing it on anyone. I can connect with others that share the same interests as me, but most importantly, I can connect with those that help me to see life from another's perspective. I love it.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

First and foremost, be yourself. If you really truly think of your blog as YOURS, then you will continue to enjoy the process. If you start blogging to please others ... it will quickly lose its lustre. Secondly, go out ... find blogs you enjoy reading. Comment ... don't be afraid to comment. ALL bloggers love to get comments. You can't go wrong with commenting. Some will follow you back to your blog, and some will like what they see, and be back. Put yourself out there. Have fun.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

This is hard ... picking just one. I have so many interests. All sorts of blog post inspire me. I love humorous, informative, photographic, and emotional raw posts. It is all good. I can't chose only one, so I'll put two here: A humorous one from Running With Books. I admire Bellevelma's style of writing. It flows nicely, and always leaves me with a smile. Her love for her son is fierce, and through reading her blog, I have come to have a true sense of who she is. This is the post that got me hooked. It is long .... but so worth it .... Hell On Wheels. Secondly, I'd like to mention the great writings on In The Life Of A Child. Nearly every post touches my heart, and blesses my soul. This is a recent example of Michelle's amazing story telling: Picture Perfect.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

Let's see .... that is hard, as I feel that I have such a mix of posts ... some funny, some serious, and some with photos. I think this one by in large one of my favorite posts I have written. It encompasses so many of the facets of my blog. I do hope you enjoy it. I is for Innocence.

Thank you for this opportunity, David. YOU are awonderful reason to keep on blogging.

Today's Sunday Roast with Corey is the seventh in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.