tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post6320146467397229938..comments2023-10-29T10:42:47.796-06:00Comments on Life at 7000 feet: Authenticity: Part Imer@lifeat7000feethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169865790593225070noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-64556231779245041062009-02-23T09:40:00.000-07:002009-02-23T09:40:00.000-07:00You have a way of taking your thoughts and putting...You have a way of taking your thoughts and putting them so neatly and precisely into a post.<BR/><BR/>I loved reading all of the comments on your previous post, and I agree with so much of it. I definitely come from the more private outlook - it's SO hard for me to open up even in real life - but yet I really want to be authentic. Hard to strike that balance. <BR/><BR/>I am with you on the pruning of the Google Reader. I always feel terrible when I stop following someone, but I've noticed that when I do, I seldom miss it. So I think I will take that to heart and do another purging soon...I know my time management will be so much better off for it.Jackie https://www.blogger.com/profile/06689420082726915164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-23694992908675981842009-02-19T16:16:00.000-07:002009-02-19T16:16:00.000-07:00I like how you said that these are your issues. B...I like how you said that these are your issues. Because, seriously, I only like to have a few people close to me. I have my 3 best friends, my sisters (4+1 SIL), my parents, and my own family. More than that and it starts to get crowded and I start shutting down and shutting out the people who matter to me. I "know" you a little from your blog, and since you say you are a what you see is what you get type of person, I think we could be friends. Having said that, I get frustrated with people who spill all over all the time. I don't get it. <BR/>I am not a plastic person, but I try to keep my self wrapped up so my messes don't get slopped onto other people. (Not saying that's what you do...but some people do.)<BR/>Oh, and my blog is a place for people to laugh- because that's what I like best.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09818169243613602266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-31129801720209670992009-02-18T22:40:00.000-07:002009-02-18T22:40:00.000-07:00This is a very authentic follow-up.;-) I'm another...This is a very authentic follow-up.<BR/><BR/>;-) <BR/><BR/>I'm another person who didn't respond to the original post (due to our trip), although I read it. And I think your comments here are spot-on.<BR/><BR/>Like you, I'm incredibly transparent. I have a hard time being anything but real. <BR/><BR/>But I married a man who is so secretive, he didn't even start to let me in until we had been married 10 years. (This is obviously extreme, but he has an extreme background.) He is still learning to be authentic with me. <BR/><BR/>So I see both sides of this coin. Corey has taught me some of the benefits of being wise with our inner-most secrets (versus letting everything hang out). And God has taught me a ton about me honoring my husband in this regard.Kelly @ Love Wellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037513409301217473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-54508119412339353262009-02-18T18:39:00.000-07:002009-02-18T18:39:00.000-07:00Ok seriously? Are you a mind reader? It is almos...Ok seriously? Are you a mind reader? It is almost weird how much we think alike. <BR/>I, too, am transparent, wear my heart/emotions on my sleeve. Sometimes good, sometimes not. <BR/>Looking forward to part 2!JenBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09388270631487962876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-75937908262093377452009-02-18T17:46:00.000-07:002009-02-18T17:46:00.000-07:00I too pruned google reader last week. I cut over 1...I too pruned google reader last week. I cut over 100 blogs out. It was hard to do but in the end it was something I had to do. I couldn't keep up with all of the blogs and they were not enhancing my life. Can't wait to read part 2 of your thoughts!Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301585140754956363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-5230998754118532502009-02-18T17:36:00.000-07:002009-02-18T17:36:00.000-07:00And I keep most of my tears bottled up inside unti...And I keep most of my tears bottled up inside until I can find a quiet place (usually the shower) to shed them. <BR/><BR/>I'm doing much better about being transparent, but that has been a challenging lesson for me. I was always the kid that didn't know who she was, and so I would be whatever others needed me to be or what I perceived they'd most enjoy me being. <BR/><BR/>Now I need to be who I am, and I'm still discovering that. It's part of the aging thing that I've actually welcomed...being comfortable in my own skin.<BR/><BR/>This thought may be continued at a later time...Carpool Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830399395582428542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-38252620550897387422009-02-18T17:01:00.000-07:002009-02-18T17:01:00.000-07:00Mer,I guess what I hear in all of this, is your lo...Mer,<BR/><BR/>I guess what I hear in all of this, is your longing to connect and have deeper relationship. To feel safe when you are transparent and to be celebrated for the real-ness that you bring. To not feel like you are too much.<BR/><BR/>Few women understand what authenticity really looks like, and fewer are courageous enough to take risks and let others truly know them. <BR/><BR/>I have experienced you to be a woman of beauty and courage. You have struggled and bled to know yourself and your own story. You have fought hard for the authenticity that you bring to relationship. That has made you a safe and inviting woman for others...for me.<BR/><BR/>Whatever this blog looks like now or the future, you are a woman with a beautiful heart who has MUCH to offer in relationship.JJ Kimmelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00196869338693305872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-68688691394628912442009-02-18T17:00:00.000-07:002009-02-18T17:00:00.000-07:00I have to admit that it hurts my brain to try and ...I have to admit that it hurts my brain to try and figure out whether others are being authentic or not. I guess I pray they will be and I try to be...and then I ask for the Lord to give me discernment. Perhaps I should love and care for the ones more who are struggling with this thing of sharing because they need a friend to say it's ok. I don't know...just some thoughts.<BR/><BR/>Praying for Abbey to feel better and that it doesn't spread through your crew.<BR/>Love,<BR/>HollyHollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00794673914973256109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-84802349812211554972009-02-18T15:42:00.000-07:002009-02-18T15:42:00.000-07:00I think what you wrote is well thought out......ve...I think what you wrote is well thought out......very 'real'. That's why I do like reading your blog. <BR/><BR/>I have to say that I have found that some of my 'friends' in real life don't get it either. They are like you describe....so unreal. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for bringing out the thought provoking posts.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08479553819173503559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-34689994942846426752009-02-18T15:31:00.000-07:002009-02-18T15:31:00.000-07:00You couldn't have said it better, Mer. Thanks.You couldn't have said it better, Mer. Thanks.Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02831708120022109063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-23485813654183929302009-02-18T14:28:00.000-07:002009-02-18T14:28:00.000-07:00Great start! I guess, for you and I, we can keep ...Great start! <BR/><BR/>I guess, for you and I, we can keep blogging as authentically as we are able and those struggling women (a group title I think we'd both admit to sharing) will know from our blogs that they aren't alone. Keep fighting the good fight! It's all we can do. :)Moriah @ Please Pass the Salthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03738724429433272083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-16904895643992442342009-02-18T14:12:00.000-07:002009-02-18T14:12:00.000-07:00Mer,I didn't comment the first time around--wanted...Mer,<BR/><BR/>I didn't comment the first time around--wanted to take time to think and also you already had a jillion comments to sort through.<BR/><BR/>Seems like this is a topic that's on a lot of minds and hearts lately--Monica just wrote a similar post, and I'll send her a link to your post as well: http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/2009/02/pedestals.html<BR/><BR/>Your authenticity is one of things I most appreciate about you and your blog!*carrie*https://www.blogger.com/profile/10545859613596796648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-89505016400024885522009-02-18T13:48:00.000-07:002009-02-18T13:48:00.000-07:00I think on your first post on this topic I comment...I think on your first post on this topic I commented too quickly. This is a lot to think about. For me, your thoughts are very timely b/c of some things I experienced a couple weeks ago.I even moved my blog because of them.<BR/><BR/>But I do want to say now that I am like you in that i am just an open person, not always very private. And I unfairly expect that of others. I know that I can't put that on others simply because I expect it of myself. The problem I've found is that it is my blog, not my family's, and so I have to respect their privacy more than is natural to me. I agree that people can be as honest as they want on their blogs and if they want to present their lives as flawless, then they can. I don't have to read. But it still irks me and makes me sad for them. But again, that's their issue and I have my issues. <BR/><BR/>I am one of those bloggers that has accidentally used blogging friendships to replace real-life friendships, but that's only because this season of my life necessitates that. I just don't know anyone where I live. I'm working on that, and the blogging world has helped me hold it together when I've been lonely. So, perhaps I've shared too much because of that.<BR/><BR/>I look forward to more of your thoughts.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06638623959806383338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-55503659698940069232009-02-18T12:59:00.000-07:002009-02-18T12:59:00.000-07:00I really appreciate your honesty. You are such a n...I really appreciate your honesty. You are such a neat person. I am all about being authentic both in real life and bloggy life. My sister says she has a PHD in fake (or at least she used to . . . not anymore) and I would always tell her I hated when she brought that person out. I liked the real her . . . the good, the bad, and the ugly. <BR/><BR/>Again thanks for being so honest. I love the idea about, what's your blogs mission.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16946473078251300151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-5125499988230447432009-02-18T12:46:00.000-07:002009-02-18T12:46:00.000-07:00M,Well said.Love,JM,<BR/><BR/>Well said.<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>JJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00704980791674041790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-58905495779716139612009-02-18T12:44:00.000-07:002009-02-18T12:44:00.000-07:00I feel like I may need a three part comment too! :...I feel like I may need a three part comment too! :) I never did get a chance to respond b/c I had a lot I wanted to say and your comments were so full of little novellas that I decided you'd probably read enough... :)<BR/><BR/>I appreciate a place where I can come, read and connect...so I completely get wondering about others authenticity...I am glad you pruned your reader...I've done the same throughout my short blogging life..I may read a few for awhile but there's very few blogs that I've read and STAYED with for the long haul and those are the places I feel most connected to...women who are real, who aren't afraid to share what hurts them, makes them smile, or their fears and worries...I feel like "hey, they what I'm going through" "they'll 'get' me if I share this with them, too"...<BR/><BR/>And, I want to have a blog where others feel the same about me. I think it is a place where our egos are easily stroked...and we do have to be careful (and by we, I mean "i") to not post with that intent...<BR/><BR/>So, I am thankful that you are who you are...that you would think outside of comfortable box and be willing to share that with the rest of us..."as iron sharpens iron", right? And, by you sharing (anything, not just this subject) our blades are shined and honed a bit brighter and I would hope the same for you with the "connections" you make in blog world and IRL.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy the rest of your day, my friend!!!Tiffanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320279256655289711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18299306.post-68587239749746978612009-02-18T12:23:00.000-07:002009-02-18T12:23:00.000-07:00Good thoughts, friend. Can't wait to read more.I a...Good thoughts, friend. Can't wait to read more.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Teri's point, to an extent. I think that the more "plastic" our blog persona (I like that term), the more we perpetuate the myth that living the Christian life is easy, and the more we discourage others who might believe that our lives are so much better than theirs.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14488537925889589851noreply@blogger.com