As of late I have been thinking, once I break through or come closer to my "freedom goal," I thought about changing my Blog's name to "Joyfully Being Real." Keeping the same initials. However long it takes to get there with the joy part.
Right now I am "Just Be Real," which when I initially started my journey and then my blog being real was all I was searching for. Being real in my pain. Being real in my denial. Being real all over the place.
I was not only tired of lying to myself and putting on masks, but I became aware of other people doing the same. I longed to "Just Be Real." I also longed for others to "Just Be Real" as well.
Just being real has brought me closer to the real me and to God. Wearing masks in the past had become too easy for me to cover up my pain. I still find myself on occasion going back to my old ways, but quicker to notice and quicker to ask myself to become real once again.
I have also noticed, but correct me if I am wrong, there has been a decline in visitors to blogs. I have noticed in mine. How about you?
Sure, people come and go.
At the beginning when I first started my journey I was at the early stages so my blog and journey attracted people that could relate then with the emotional pain I was experiencing.
Now, that I am more in the healing phase, I notice my blog is attracting new bloggers that can relate presently to the healing phase and the earlier bloggers that I had, some have moved on. Maybe the deep content of my blog at times may have triggered something in their own lives they they were just not ready to deal with yet.
Joyfully for the J sounds perfect! But the bottom line: I always enjoy your journey, to be real and as I go through your ups and downs, it encourages me to see what God is doing in your life. I find it, too that some are so eager to visit early on, then the visits diminish. But I just pray for the Lord to bless whoever comes and goes. Seasons come. Seasons go. So it seems with the people who come into our lives. Blessing to you JBR!
ReplyDeletei like the new name idea...its a journey and it takes time and sometimes you even have to back track that trail but...
ReplyDeleteas far as visitors go...people do come and go...circles join sometimes for a while, sometimes for a short period...i think that it also has to do with the relationships you develop...it has to be give and take or there is no relationship...
I really like the Joyfully as well. I so agree with RCUBES! You are such an encouragement to so many, my friend! I have been where you have been/are in my own life and each post hits me right at home.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the same about the blogging issue. There seems to be a decline all the way around. Not just in those commenting, but those posting as well. But I guess in everything, the seasons come and go.
I love coming to your blog and seeing how God is working in and through you. I may not always be able to stop and comment, as life has been busy here lately, but please know that I am praying for you!
May God continue to bless you on your journey, precious one!
Blessings and bunches of ((((HUGS))))~
Laura
Love the idea of the name change.....
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
I will always be here, following your journey. I love you.
ReplyDeleteLove the concept of a new name. Will be refreshing when the time's right. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI echo Denise....
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are healing !
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you my dear blogging friend .
I think since the weather has gotten nicer, people want to be outside instead of on their computers. It's a theory anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the name!
My active meter reflects about the same average of visitors; however, not near as man comment as they do visit. I try to not become discouraged. I do have a handful of very loyal followers and I appreciate them and reading their blogs as well. I count you as a part of that.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I think you're right too, that some people can't handle to the truth or someone else getting better, when they haven't or can't seem too. I've had that experience with friends the last few years, while I've been on my healing journey too. Some actually took it as an insult to them, that I had the nerve to get better, grow, heal! ?? Oh well! Keep healing writing these inspirational, HEALING post sweetie!!!!
ReplyDeleteHUGS,
Coreen
We love you no matter what the name...
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you at my blog. Come and get it when you have time. :-)
Feel free to change the name to what your heart desires!
ReplyDeletePeople disappear for various reasons for sure, you just be joyfully real dear JBR and the rest will be exactly as it should be.
(((JBR)))
No need to worry about who visits and who doesn't. God works in everyone hearts a different way. Love the name change.
ReplyDeletei like how you're thinking, the change in the name, the process you are going through. i feel exactly the same about the 'being real' part. and sometimes get soooo frustrated when i see all the masks around me. but, that is not my problem to fix anymore. difficult to do sometimes, but so it is. much better, much easier, more rewarding to work on my only 'being real' status...
ReplyDeletelove you hunny, and even though i've been absent for a while, i'll always be back. your pearls of wisdom through your sharing are very worthwhile indeed.
I like the sound of joyfully being real. It has a nice ring. The name of your blog is what attracted my attention in the first place. I like the idea of someone "being real" who expected me to do the same. You haven't disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been blogging long enough to spot trends. My comments go up and down. My readers have definitely changed. A lot of the first responders still comment. You are one of those people, and I always appreciate hearing from you.
But there were some people who used to comment regularly who comment less often, and I have a lot of new people. I feel like lately the number of comments has been pretty steady, but the commenters are a more diverse group. More people, commenting less frequently.
Of course, a lot of people have called it quits, too.
It interesting to see how blog name changes reflect peoples' journeys. It think it is really great.
ReplyDeleteI guess when it comes to readership I don't have many but I sure appreciate your visits.
I think its the warm weather..blogging is an indoor activity...When the weather is nice and after a harsh winter people want to be outside...Also, vacations, graduations...etc. Don't worry about it...Are you commenting on other blogs? I usually respond if people comment to me...If not, well then one tends to forget ...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be contrary and suggest a couple reasons why you might want to consider keeping the name "Just Be Real".
ReplyDelete1) The way we become and stay joyful is by "just being real": real before ourselves, our families, our communities, and of course, God. "Just being real" isn't a phase we pass through, but a continual necessity for joy.
2) "Just" implies simplicity and is within our grasp whatever our mood of the moment is. It allows God to reach us wherever we are. "Joyfully" implies that we always feel God and hope is near. I think that is a tremendously unrealistic expectation no matter how far along we are in healing or spiritual maturity.
3) When we are being real, joy is not always appropriate. Is joyfully real the right response when a parent has lost a child? A person is diagnosed with cancer? A person reports a rape? God weeps with us when we suffer. God is angry for injustices done against us. So too we must weep and be angry for ourselves and others.
4) Presumably as your joy increases, you will also want to reach out to others that are coming up behind you and are still in the "Just be Real" phase. "Joyfully be real" might be off-putting. Keeping the old name, but having more hopeful content might help those folks cross the bridge into a more joyful way of being.