Honesty.

     I am not a good story teller. I wish the words that I write would flow off the page and create vivid images for my readers, but I know it is not the case. I have not put in the time. I do not read good writing. I do not spend my free moments tweaking my voice. I am not vulnerable enough and so my tales are very two-dimensional and stale. In essence, I was not born with a special ability to captivate people with my first draft. No, I need my draft edited multiple times and then ten times again, each time pulling back a layer of "fake," exposing more of my soul. Only then will it become a work of writing mostly presentable.
     I want to be a great storyteller. I want people, even if it is only one or two, to see and feel my soul through my writing. I want people to connect with my genuine tone and perceive my honestly in such a way that when they read my stories they find themselves saying "me too," "we are so similar," "that is my struggle also." I want people to come to this blog and find a friend. Someone whose struggles encourages them to face their own demons and spurs them towards growth and change.
     Yes I write for me. Yes the photos are of my happy family and our awesome experiences, but my life is so much more than that. I long to resonate with people. I long to encourage people. I long to share my story so that others can see that life is not so "amazing" all the time. And so far I have failed at that.
     So this is the start of a new adventure. I am going to push myself to write more of what is in my soul, to write about my true thoughts and feelings, about reality. My word for this next phase of blogging is "honesty." If you have been reading for a while, thank you for sticking with me! If you are new, I hope you linger for a moment and give me the chance to woo you!
     Here is to a new chapter. To new mistakes and lessons learned. To new friends and old. To honestly! And to think, there is so much excitement and trepidation wrapped up in that one word.