Dear Anonymous:

I got this comment the other day and I would like to thank the person again who sent it. I would also like to make some comments.

I admire your desire to change the world but think you need to relax and enjoy life a little more - you sound a little bitter lately!
I've read your blog periodically - I'm not a regular because your content is not very inspiring and too personal. Mostly (not always) it appears you are writing this more for yourself than anyone else. I suggest you Google "how to write a successful blog" for some constructive ideas.

To start, read the very top of this blog. It states what it is all about. I’m sorry if you think it is too personal.

As far as the inspiring part, I have no problem if you don’t find what I write that motivating. Although I don’t even compare to these works, the Bible and the Koran provide inspiration for many, but nothing for many.

What I do know is that I have touched one heart with at least one article. I received an email from the very first one, The Mirror of Death. It was from a mother who had just buried her daughter that day and she thanked me for putting into words feelings she had difficulty expressing. There have been other messages thanking me. To me, the few who I might have helped along the way are worth it.

Mind you, a weekly Internet mailing, endorsed by some involved in “The Secret”, going to thousands around the world, has used four of my articles. Each one resulted in about 200 positive replies and few negative ones. There are at least 800 who have been positively affected by what I have written.

Bitter?

First, this is the 394th article that I have written in a little over a year. A few have told me that some are pretty good. I know many are not very good at all. I don’t pretend to be a Hemmingway or a Tolstoy. In an earlier blog, I mentioned that my purpose was to write for a year and see what happened. I have found that not much has developed, but if I have helped make somebody’s life a bit better, great.

The process of trying to think of what to write is difficult after a year. That is why I will be writing much less, if at all, in the future. I feel I have gone to the well too often.

As an avid newspaper reader, I know that columnists don’t write Pulitzer-winning pieces every day. Some are criticized through letters to the editor, many in a similar tone as yours.

Since I don’t get paid at all for this, I am writing this between doing other things. I’m sorry if having a bad day may be reflected in some of the writing.

However, most days I am far from bitter. I live better than most of the world. I have great friends and, contrary to your statement, I do enjoy life very, very much. I do wonder if some of your judgement on my bitterness might be because you don’t agree with many or most of my opinions.

Yes, I am concerned about the world. Like many, I struggle to make sense of what is happening. Sometimes the process is difficult and I expect it shows in my writing. I see things that I don’t understand. For example, people complain about too much violence on television, yet do nothing about it. Sure, we can tell them to change the channel, but I feel that only to do that is to abdicate any social responsibility. The media affect our lives and we need to understand them more.

I state my opinion. Yours may differ. That’s fine. I may even be totally wrong and you may be totally right. That doesn’t make my right to state my opinion any less valid.

As far as “Googling” for tips on writing a better blog, I am not trying to create some mass following. You are right. I write mainly for myself, as most blogs I visit do (I have seen so many photos of peoples’ children), and if others can benefit from my ideas, great. So, thanks for the suggestion, but I won’t be following up on it.

Although you might not find me very inspiring, perhaps you might enjoy the following quote from Bill Cosby.

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

So I can accept your criticism as being how you feel. I haven’t satisfied you. It really isn’t a big deal for me – I am not trying to please everybody – especially since you are anonymous. Thank you for taking the time for writing. If you are ever in the area, drop in for some tea.