Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Blogging outside of the box.

I am declaring my Manifesto.

I blog because I love to write.
I'm not here to make money
or find fortune and glory.

I refuse to Twitter to promote my Blog.
I need to spend time with my family,
instead of updating y'all about the fact that
I am spending time with my family.

I have no sponsors on this Blog
and have declined sponsorship
that has been offered recently.
I doubt if any of y'all really
are looking for a pay day loan.

If I ever sale ads on this page
it will be for something or someone
that I can stand behind.

I love my readers and celebrate when
people show up to read my posts.
Yet, I don't check my stats.
I am not a slave to the numbers.

I am here
because I love to write.
I love to take photographs.
I love to have a creative space.
I love to have a place
to remind me to not forget
the little moments in life
that pass too quickly.

I write for me and
I write for you
if you choose to show up.

I have a Blog
because there are moments
in life that are too beautiful to not document.

I have this Blog
because life is full of humor
and joy
and I need a place
to let it simmer in my life.

I show up here
day after day
and type away
because there is something
unobtainable driving me
to document
my life
my thoughts
my spirit
my fears
my celebrations
my inspirations
in hopes that maybe
you feel these things too.

This is my manifesto
and I'm sticking to it.
Unless, of course,
you are Oprah or one of Oprah's people
and you love my blog so much
that you want to make
me a household name
because you think that I am fabulous.

Maybe I'd Twitter about that.

26 comments:

R Montalban said...

Either Oprah or People's Magazine I think!!!

Oh I think you are just so so fab and I like coming to read your blog because it makes me smile and therefore is exactly what you want it to be, sponsorship or not - and if it were Oprah or People's mag if I could get it over here, I would watch/read it too!

BigSis said...

Good for you. You have quality here and that's something to stand for.

Caroline said...

Which is why people come back again and again.

And I have a feeling that those people (aka your followers) would not mind one bit if you became a household name via Oprah.

So funny that you mentioned Twitter because until two days ago I had a "follow me on Twitter" button on my blog then realized I never logged in to post anything so I removed it. I also shut down my FB account. Too much stuff going on creates chaos.

~Kristin~ said...

THAT is one of THE best posts I have read in a long time! Well said!
Just found you today.
Kristin

tori said...

the day i started worrying about numbers was the day i lost my blogging desire. i need to refocus! great post!

Tiffany Tweedie said...

Love it! I totally respect you for that.

As a single mom of 5, I would sell out in a second! :D

Unknown said...

You are the BEST Leigh!

June said...

It's wonderful manifesto! And I would actually turn on my TV to watch you on Oprah!!

Unknown said...

I am not into the sponsorship or followers either. I just like to know that occasionally I have touched someone in some way that made a difference. and I LOVE your blog

The Only Girl said...

Well said! And yes, I love reading your blog and seeing your pictures and will continue to stop by.

BTW - the headless woman in the gift box is creeping me out!

Susan Anderson said...

Hear, hear!

You are my kind of blogger...

=)

vanilla said...

Such integrity demands respect. Besides, your tales make me laugh!

Leslie Harris said...

And that is why we all love you and your blog! :)

Unknown said...

I love it!! I blog to share my words and my pictures.. because deep inside I am a writer and I NEED to write..

As my job has begun to shift away from writing to paperwork I find I need the outlet writing gives me.. that I get to tie it in to my pictures is a bonus.

I don't link my facebook with my blog because sometimes what I blog about doesn't need to be seen by some of those I have to friend on facebook (for work reasons).

Great and very timely post!!

Karen Mortensen said...

Amen. I love this post Leigh. Good for you. Keep up the great work.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome you got that many followers and you don't advertise...I am the same...I just post what I like...If people don't like it what can I do....

Carrie B said...

I love it! Wish I would have written it myself. :)

Unknown said...

First, I love this post....I might have to tweet it.
You have received an award! :)
http://prendalestelle.blogspot.com/2010/07/you-like-me-you-really-like-me.html

<3
Jillian

Sugar Bear said...

I was just discussing my "manifesto" with my husband.

I am still figuring out what mine is.

It was nice to read yours, you sound like you known EXACTLY why you do what you do.

That's inspiration to the rest of us.

LabMom said...

Awww.. And to think, just today, I was looking for a payday loan! :D

Keep up the great blog, whatever your motivation.. I love it.

Vanessa said...

I love you. Love your blog. Love your manifesto.

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Totally respect you for that. Great post.

Amelia said...

The day I started writing for myself instead of anyone else was the day I really started to love writing.

Great post! (I found your blog from Cjane's blog).

Cathy said...

I missed this because I was on vacation last week. But I am glad I read it now. While on vacation I was completely unplugged for a whole week....no cell phone or internet access. It was incredible. Now that I'm back I'm rethinking being so plugged in, rethinking what my blog is, just thinking about life I guess....This post really makes sense to me. I need to figure out my manifesto now.

Tracie said...

LOVE IT!!! And I lurve you! :)

PS I'm over Twitter. It annoys the crap out of me to see all the self-promotion going on there.

Kim said...

This is great! Very similar to the reasons I blog. I also love your happiness project. I hope to participate soon!