Taking the Blog World in Stride by Bloom Guest Rae

Bloomers, meet Rae. We think she's witty and fun and smart. We're thrilled that she agreed to contribute to Bloom today. We think you'll love her, please make her feel welcome here :) We'd really like her to come back.

Talk about an all time honor to be asked to be a guest poster at Bloom – shout out to all the Bloom community! I’ve read your comments, peeked in daily for bits of inspiration, and leave feeling a little more part of something good every time. So when Anne and Em asked me to contribute, I immediately combed the recesses of my brain to come up with what I could offer….

We discussed the possibility of pictures of my home? (I do love decorating)….

Maybe a craft or two? (I am disgustingly proud of my newly sewn throw pillow that incorporated my Great Grandmother’s homemade doilies)….

What about a yummy recipe? (I make a mean stuffed beef and cheese manicotti)….

Or a humorous story and a lesson learned about mothering? (my kids are three parts insanity and one part pure hilarious)

A column about New Year’s goals? (I feel plenty enthusiastic about mine)….

I had plenty of options, and was filled with excitement over posing as a quasi-expert on any one of the above topics. The problem was, deep in the dark {and most authentic} corner of my conscience was my Jiminy Cricket speaking: Really Rachel? Stuffed Manicotti? You just got off of the phone crying to your mother. You freaked out at your husband last night. You swear your children are slowly and methodically stripping away every last ounce of your already minuscule reserve of brain cells , and I believe you exclaimed to the heavens (out loud) at some point during your day (which rotated around breastfeeding the baby), “I wish I were a boy!” If we’re going to speak truth…today…then it would be more accurate to say that if you log on to another female’s blog that details any of the above listed craft tutorials or insightful tips on eco-friendly parenting, you are at serious risk of intentionally overdosing on your kids’ bubblegum flavored Motrin tablets and cough syrup and calling it a day.

Oh, shush Jimi, I thought. That was just one day.

But then again, I thought…it was a tough day. And just what if in other parts of the world - when my rough day(s) passes, and I’m ready to recommit all of my pep and energy into my very worthwhile efforts at self-improvement – another person who is having their own hideous day logs on and reads my lofty New Year’s resolution list as featured on Bloom and consequently devours three entire pans of brownies in a depressed display of overwhelmed and false comparison (thus, most likely, thwarting her own intended New Year’s resolution to lose five pounds – isn’t that usually on everyone’s list?).

I can’t be responsible for such a debacle.

And so it is to you, dear reader who is having a bad day, who I dedicate my thoughts to. Because life gets hard sometimes, doesn’t it? It is such a multi-faceted adventure really. A true roller coaster. And everyone rides it. Sure, it might seem like others are constantly at the top – enjoying the view of mountain vistas or sea shore in the distance – while you’re plunging at a supersonic mach 5 pace towards the hardened ground, but it simply is a false illusion of a masterfully designed ride that you will crash into oblivion. Before you know it, and sometimes when you least expect it, the low point shifts and you’ll begin your ascent to better views and much less nausea inducing stomach flops.

It’s like that sometimes too, in this great cyber community where we can connect with so many others. There are times you’ll be inspired and feel connected, and other times when you might come to false conclusions drawn from faulty comparisons and end up feeling like a lonely loser who will never measure up to so-and-so or this-and-that.

I could post a million pictures of my home, or gaggles of self portraits portraying myself frolicking in the park with my children in the best designer jeans….

I could post my trials, my shortcomings, my lessons learned ….

I could post anonymous rants and rude comments….

And it will still never accurately detail the full measure of who I am. Or you either.

So If I can propose one New Year’s resolution, it would be that we take and enjoy what is so good about the invention of blogging, and leave what is not.

And lastly, to the Bloom community, kudos to you for being such a great source of optimism and inspiration mixed with heartfelt honesty. You’ll continue to be a daily dose of my 2011.

-Rae

Ps....Okay fine, I really shouldn't taunt you with glorious allusions to melted cheese and beef all wrapped into one gloriously tender noodle and smothered in fresh marinara: go here for My Stuffed Manicotti recipe. Oh yes, and Jimi would also like me to inform you that when I say MY stuffed Manicotti, I really mean Giada di Laurentiis. I really wish he'd pipe down.)