Why I Blog

Within the week, two people have asked me, “What does blogging do for you?” And my answer to both of them was, “It puts me in touch with people like you.” The real answer is that it does so much more. 

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. 

I know I did. I found proof in the very post I wrote on gratitude two weeks ago. On my long drive up the eastern seaboard to visit with family, I found myself in a familiar position: leaned on. It was my wife, who pressed an iPad against my arm in order dial up the code to unlock it and set up my son—or was it my daughter? It’s all a blur—with another movie. 

We are real minimalists when it comes to screen time for our kids, but when it comes to travelling long distances in the car, we are downright Machiavellian. Whatever it takes, folks. Whatever it takes. 

When my wife pressed the iPad against me, I remember feeling sour. Like, Go ahead, lean on me some more. Not like I’m driving or anything. The tone of my sour voice resembles Eeyore from Christopher Robin—and my literary references are more frequently children’s books. That was my mood, in general, after getting crushed by 10 weeks of the new, third baby routine. 

Then came Thanksgiving. Turkey and stuffing were like manna. The sparkling Cider, an elixir. 

We found ourselves returning home Saturday, down that same gauntlet of congested American cities. It took much longer to return than it did to go. Still, my entire attitude had changed. When my wife pressed the iPad to my arm to put on movie number three, I thought to myself, Thank God for these movies.

Just another example of the power of gratitude. 

I am certainly grateful for this blog. 

I’m not sure I show it enough. 

I have reasons to resent it—maybe that’s why. 

Four years ago, my plan was to have already had this blog transformed into a website with all my published books for sale. 

Instead I’ve found something more meaningful.

Reason #1: Engagement

I have fallen off the map in all forms of social media except blogging. It is what it is. Time is a luxury and I am in want of it at the moment. 

Blogging is social media, don’t be fooled. It has all the characteristics: the like-for-like nature of growth, the detached intimacy of friendship, even the pleasure of universalizing something private. Blogging has it all. 

But unlike other platforms, blogging requires a more thoughtful kind of engagement. We are wired to react to Facebook and Twitter posts. It is a knee-jerk world. I’ll never forget the article I wrote for The Fix about the connection of race to criminal justice. The editors put a clicky title on it—something about white privilege—and the Facebook world flew off the handle. They reacted to the idea of the article, not the content. I know this because the positive feedback came days later. And most comments began with something similar to, “after reading the whole thing…”

To engage in the blogosphere requires a little more thought. And the relationships, in my opinion, are more refined as a result.

Reason #2: Craft

I love to write. 

Without the blog to keep me on schedule, I would let weeks, maybe months go without ever attempting to write something thoughtful about the world. That spells trouble for my creative soul. 

Creativity is a muscle that needs exercise. Atrophy can weaken the words I use and therefore the thoughts I have. While this may sound crazy, not writing is my road to relapse. Blogging makes me accountable. I must write. And make it honest.

This has a two-fold effect. Not only do I spend more time writing, but my writing changes the way I see the world. I am in constant search for those mundane miracles that makeup the thematic framework of this blog. 

A writing and teaching mentor of mine—a former blogger himself—referred to the catharsis in what he called, “Thinking out loud.” Like most living things, thoughts need exposure to grow. 

Reason #3: Identity

I love to write because I am a writer. 

I am a writer. 

That fact can easily be forgotten in the onslaught of rejection that independent writers like me face. Blogging reminds me who I am, and that no third-party perspective can change it.

Blogging has also helped shape my sober identity. By recovering out loud, I have helped narrow down my roles in life. It helps when people know that I am first and foremost a sober man.

Reason #4: The People

To circle back to the start, the impetus for this post—I blog for the people. 

I have been connected to people, whether in recovery or not, the world over: a #recoveryposse on Twitter, various closed Facebook groups, a digital colony of writers who form a club each morning at five in order to stay productive—I’m even talking about one-on-one consults and video-chats with people on the other side of the world. Talk about finding new horizons! 

I have most recently been introduced to new people on this journey:

Sean Hedden interviewed me for his podcast: Power Greater Than Podcast. (The icon is on the site’s right sidebar). Sean and I have a lot in common and spoke for almost two hours about our spiritual journey.

The other person is Elisa Chakoff of Recovery Path, a new app built by people who understand what it is to live with addiction and discover a sober life. It was great to hear a bit about her background and offer my experience to help her develop her app. 

One thing is for certain, without beginning a blog, I would never be a consultant. 

Then there’s the old, tried and true members of my digital clan. 

I’m finally getting to Sean Paul Mahoney’s Now That You’ve Stopped Dying and finding it as funny, irreverent and insightful as advertised. 

Reason #5: The Readers

I saved the best for last. Readers are what make this blogging gig worth it. Whenever I have any doubts about why I take the time and energy to sustain the Miracle of the Mundane, I hear from someone in a comment or in person and I am reminded that I am here because of you.