Purpose

Since these posts are available online, I thought an explanation of why I started this blog would be necessary.

First, I am horrible at keeping a journal, but identify and the incredible importance record keeping has.  I've always wanted to keep a journal. I have kept a journal at different times in my life. However, my journal writing habits have drifted into non-existence over and over again.  One of the reasons is that I've had to keep track of where I put my journal and pen in order to write a new entry. With a single location where I can keep all my entries, it is a lot easier to open up my computer and type.  I'm usually doing something online anyway. I might as well write a few things in my journal/blog.

I also hate writing by hand. I blame my 1st grade teacher for that. I remember when she yelled at me for holding my pencil wrong; I use my index and middle fingers to press the pencil against my thumb, instead of my index finger alone.  I never changed the way I write, but always felt there was something wrong with me if I couldn't hold a pencil write.  My hand also gets tired very quickly (perhaps due to the way I hold my pencil) and only write a little before my attention turns to the pain in my hand rather than the words I'm writing.

Some may ask then, why would you keep a journal that is open to the public? Good question. I am a strong proponent of self-improvement and journaling through a blog provides certain opportunities for me to improve some of my weaknesses.  Like what?  Well...

1) Keeping a journal. The easy access gives me more of a motive to write more frequently. I've missed recording the birth of all my children and some other very important life events that I regret. Perhaps as I improve this habit, I may write about those events as memoirs, but until then, I will write what is currently going on in my life.

2) Sharing my opinions.  I have never had such strong opinions that I felt the need to tell someone about them. As the world "progresses" (I could share an opinion on that philosophy right there, but for now, I'll leave it be), I'm noticing that I am forming stronger opinions.  Perhaps not as strong as those you've seen around Facebook recently.  But I do have opinions and if there is ever someone that wants to hear my opinions, they can come to this blog and read about them.  Otherwise, those who don't care about my opinions can steer clear of this blog and continue not caring, and I'm not offended nor care about their opinion.

3) Having self worth. One reason I don't outwardly share my opinions with other people is because I am self conscious.  I worry about what other people think of me ... a lot.  I worry that, despite how I feel I may have done at a certain task, someone didn't like or approve the way I did it.  This doesn't keep me from doing lots of things, but it does keep me from sharing my opinion. I'm afraid that my opinion will offend those I'm sharing it with and a confrontation will ensue (I hate confrontation).  In today's world, I fear that my humble opinion will be cause someone to want to hurt me or my family. By writing this blog, I want to share my opinion and feel confident that it is mine for the sake of how I feel and what I know, not based on how someone will react to it.  Also, I feel that my thoughts and opinions my be of value to some of you who read my posts.

I've titled this blog around one of the many characteristics that I think define who I am. I identify as a Father of three incredible boys.  That doesn't mean all of my posts will be about my sons, but anything I write will be influenced by the fact that I am a father of three boys.