November – It’s NaBloPoMo

November brings with it a certain nip in the air that reminds me winter is quickly approaching, but it’s also the month that has brought the most joyous memory of giving birth to Cody and also the most painful memory of sitting at my Dad’s bedside as he took his last breath. This all should probably give me plenty to write about, at least that’s what I’m hoping since I signed up for NaBloPoMo(National Blog Posting Month), which is a commitment to write a blog post every day in the month of November. I’ve struggled to write even once a week in recent months so while I’m nervous at the thought of so much writing, I’m also hoping it will give me the boost I need to focus more on my blog and what I hope to accomplish for the future. What that is is still something I’m trying to figure out, maybe November will bring me some clarity. My friends over at Write on Edge are a wonderful and supportive group of bloggers and if you are more interested in NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month, you should absolutely join them. I think in doing either of these challenges, the community you surround yourself with is so very important for encouragement, motivation, and inspiration. I’m hoping to find some wonderful new blogs to read and make some new friends during November, but mostly I’m eager to grow as a blogger. What I love about blogging is that it’s a way to connect with others through words and stories and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that comments make me excited. A comment that offers me encouragement, a good laugh, or even a differing opinion are all something I welcome. Having a really great conversation matters more to me than whether we agree or disagree on a certain topic. I also truly love that blogging has brought me the gift of some pretty wonderful friendships. While the actual number is really small, I’m comforted to know that I could reach out via email, DM, or private message and these friends would be there for me.  Blogging has brought them to me, blogging conferences have brought me face-to-face time with them and that just gives me an energy I can’t explain. Possibly because bloggers get bloggers, but I’d also like to believe it’s because the feeling is mutual,  that they also know they can count on me if they ever need to reach out even if it’s only through a computer or via a chat on Skype, when a real-life hug and shoulder just isn’t possible.