Because I love to blog about writing...

and blogging is an about writing for me.

Lisa did this little meme yesterday, so I thought I'd try too:

1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. link back to the person who tagged you
3. link back to this parent post
4. tag a few friends or five, or none at all
5. post these rules— or just have fun breaking them

Five ways blogging has affected me.... here goes.

First: it has caused me to write more. I have always loved writing, and this is a way of feeling like I have an "audience" even if no one ever reads it. If you want to be a better writer, you simply must write more.

Second: it has caused me to read more. As I have perused the blogs of others, read book reviews, and other items, I have been inspired to continue learning more and that means reading.

Third: it has introduced me to people I now call friends. I have been fortunate to have met face to face a couple of blogging friends, and these are people I'm pleased to call friends. I am especially blessed to have a Titus 2 type lady in my life through blogging, and that's pretty special. And of course, I have an ever-growing list of bloggers I want to meet, and some of those trips may take me to places far north or across the water .... well, I can dream, can't I? A related bonus is the kindship of male bloggers. I've always wanted an older brother who is a Christian, and I have a few of those. One of them (who shall remain nameless) serves occasionally as an editor... even if I haven't asked.

Fourth: time. It can be a time-eater. And not just the sitting at the keyboard. It requires time studying, reading, and thinking. I am quite sure that I have neglected my family on occasion because I've been pre-occupied with a blog post. Enough said about that one.

Fifth: it has made me see how much I have to learn about faith, God, writing, and life in general. When one is exposed to minds that think clearer, have been thinking longer, and are more mature along the journey, it can only be beneficial. On the downside of that point, blogging has occasionally made me give into self-pity, feeling that I will never progress in my walk with God, and I will occasionally become too self-focused. Fortunately, God comes along and reminds me what what is true.