As America celebrates Thanksgiving, I can’t help but reflect from the Antipodes the way in which the blogosphere is changing us.
The moment we arrive in this brave new blogging world, the landscape is vast and unfamiliar. There’s so much to see, so much to read, where do we hope to begin?
Yet, as we sit there, staring into cyberspace, someone takes us by the Avatar and bids us, “Don’t be Lost!” They welcome us to Twitter, and their sacred Facebook spaces, and pretty soon we find we’re on the inside, looking out.
This place is home. And our family is diverse.
There are women who explode into our living room – worlds apart and, yet, singing the same tune.
There are men, so kind and brave in their humility, searching for their place on this unravelling path.
There are boys who beam at you from their corner of the globe. Others who paint moonbeams in the sky.
There are those we cry with, and others we get high with.
And then there are those precious souls who, despite their own tragedy (or perhaps because of it), are always seeking ways to make us smile. Again.
This is just some fantasy. It’s not real – they say.
But at the blink of a button, someone close bids us farewell. And we know that they are more than just an Avatar. They are people who reached through their world and touched ours. Uplifted and changed us. Made us strive for better than we are.
This is real.
This is the stuff they don’t teach you in writing school.
This is the ancients, who by moonlight wrote their futures in the stars.
It all starts with a dream. And you know that dream is real when it brings you back in touch with people from your past who say, “So glad I found you here”.
But where is here? It is everywhere and nowhere. It’s a place where what we have in common is greater than our individual parts. It’s one looking glass, with a million different points of view.
This place has changed me. YOU have changed me.
I was that person, at a dinner party, who’d take a breath to say something, and find the moment missed. Spend the rest of the night clutching my drink and watching other people’s mouths move.
I didn’t believe in the goodness of people or the universe. Almost never accepted a gift or a compliment. Even less knew how to say Thanks.
Maybe I’m less afraid to make my voice heard these days. Or maybe people are listening more. I don’t know. But one thing’s for certain – things are different now.
Now I can speak. Now I have faith. Now I believe in the principles of give and take.
So today, I’m giving thanks to each of you…
For listening, for sharing, for daring to dream. And, most of all, for being the change.
Has blogging changed your world? How? Or is this just some wild fantasy?
Alarna Rose Gray 
virtual world there where the world takes us into the freedom …
visit too 🙂 http://www.mysandyartha.wordpress.com
Virtual world taking us into freedom…nice! Just visited. Thanks for coming by 🙂
sorry, wrong word … 🙂
wonderful post Alarna! & i agree … love & gratitude ❤
That’s what it’s all about! 🙂 Thank you, and *hugs*
hugging you back : – )
Brilliant post, dear! *SALUTES* 🙂
Rahul
Aw, thanks Rahul 🙂 You’re one of the beaming gents, you know that? 🙂
Hahahah! Really? 😀 🙂
Rahul
Of course! You’re a ray of sunshine in the digi world… 🙂
Wow! Thank you so much for this sort of appreciation, dear one. 🙂
Rahul
Great words. Clear definition of the virtual family. 🙂
I was lost in thoughts after reading this post.
🙂
Wow! I love that you were lost in thoughts… I was lost in writing it 🙂
This is absolutely beautiful, Alarna. I could have never said it any better. It’s so true, all you’ve said. It was here, in the virtual, real world, that I found my voice, I felt my dreams.
I’m just blown away by your words… so beautiful & moving. Thank you for your contribution to this world, and for changing me, by your words and by your reading.
xo
Oh, thanks so much Liz, that means the world to me 🙂 It’s amazing, isn’t it? It’s been such an emotional journey in so many ways – and I know for you, too. So glad to be on the path with you, and am grateful for all the love and inspiration that you share on your blog xx
🙂
Smiling, that what it did for me! Beautiful…
Wow! Love that it made you smile… you make me smile a lot yourself 🙂
Another beautiful thoughtful piece, Alarna Rose… love the way your mind works…I didn’t get back to you over your book. It sounds lovely, and I hope it’s all going well – and I bet there’s a fiercely wagging tail in that heavenly dog -house! XXX
Valerie, how lovely to hear from you! How are you? You know I think of you everyday – I hope you picked up the reference to you here in this post. The Pepi books are well and good now that they are out… I love that fiercely wagging picture you just drew for me 🙂
Take care, Valerie, and will be in touch xx
Beautiful post, Alarna
You are one of those kind, brave, humble ones, Legion (or rather, Luke, isn’t it?). Thanks for sharing the journey with me 🙂
What a beautifully written post, Alarna. Insightful and full of humble gratitude. We are truly blessed and wherever our blogging or day to day adventures take us, it is the positive energy we take with us.
Absolutely, Lynne. It’s a beautiful thing… Thank you. So glad you’ve joined me on this ride 🙂
‘There are boys who beam at you from their corner of the globe. Others who paint moonbeams in the sky.’
Auntie… if you were near I would tickle you. Decisively!
And there’s Pepi to the right! I shall read all books. And if I will have children one day, they shall read them too!
I’m considering the possibility of introducing Pepi into Oliver Colors’ world. What do you think? Would you be upset?
I will never be upset. It would be the greatest compliment to him 🙂
You tickle me frequently 🙂
That’s a beautiful post, Alarna. Well, you have certainly expanded my world, and made me think about. I have so much to be grateful for and we are not wealthy or well-off in material terms. But we have much to be thankful for, much of it given freely: our families and friends, our Twitter connections (so important to the insular writer) a roof over our heads, comfort, a bed, animals, food and drink …. it goes on and on. I’m so thankful for the Internet and Twitter which helped me discover the amazing, original, supportive, warm writer. People, Ms Alarna Rose Gray!! 🙂 x
Tessa, you are so gracious and your comment means so very much to me, thank you. I’m privileged to have you in my world, and you’re right. There is so much that is free to be grateful for. My very best wishes to you xx
Behind it all are real flesh and blood human beings that laugh, hurt, cry and shout for joy. You, I and everyone on this site are real people. Isn’t that nice?
It’s lovely. There’s nothing better than getting to know the people behind the words. Thanks so much for being part of it 🙂
Oh my gosh, Alarna, what an awesome post. There are so many great quotes throughout, and this is just one of them, “It’s one looking glass, with a million different points of view.” Yes, blogging has changed my life, but I never could have expressed it as beautifully as you have. You’re going places, girl. I’m telling you, your writing is awesome and draws us in. I believe in you, and you can take this as far as you want. You are seriously talented, and I’m going to enjoy watching you become a very successful writer, touching many lives. I sincerely mean that. I’m stunned by the power of your words!
Lynn – I am stunned by the power of Your words. Your support and encouragement of me and my work means more than I can say. It’s difficult to know as writers when or if we are ever touching anyone, so to hear that this moves you is the best reward of all 🙂 I hope you know that the first reference of someone taking us by the Avatar is all about you! You were the first! 🙂
This is a beautiful post Alarna…..I have felt the same way but you have said it so beautifully….Thanks for sharing your thanks with all of us….Kim
It’s a pleasure to share with you – so glad we met in here, thank you 🙂
Very good post! Here are two posts in this spirit:
http://heartflow2012.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/blogging-creates-the-global-brain/
http://heartflow2012.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/to-my-dear-blogging-friends/
Spot on, both of them! Thank you 🙂
Thank you for putting into words what I so often think about as a blogger. It’s amazing the sense of connection I feel with people all over the world. Blogging, for me, has made the world a much smaller place. An unexpected gift…
Yes – it is a much smaller place. A world without borders oneday, we can hope 🙂
It feels that way to me. Hopeful, yes?
Absolutely 🙂
Beautiful words, Alarna. I agree, it is real. They underestimated the meaning of the word “virtual” and here we are. Hello!
Huh, they certainly did! Very pleased to meet you, Anna 🙂
Blogging is the facebook of the intellects!
Very interesting thought! 🙂
Just a beautiful, beautiful post Alarna. I’m so happy I had the chance to know you through Twitter and now the blog! Blogging for me has really changed my life, helped me in so many ways to trust my voice and meet amazing people like you.
It’s amazing to me, to meet people in my own city who I would otherwise never know! Truly a privilege to share this space with you, and recognise my own world through your eyes 🙂
this world of cyber takes us out without taking us out.just like u wrote now i know that you blog .helps to improve.helps to connects .:)
Oh, hello! So nice to see you – took me a while to recognise who you were. Lovely to make the blog connection, like you say 🙂
I feel lucky to feel it too!! Thanks Alarna, beautiful post. 🙂
Your welcome, Coleen. I hope you got the reference to you – since you always deliver on your smiles 🙂
I love this post.
I’m so glad you came and read it. Because it was meant for you as well…I hope you saw that? 🙂
Blogging has given me a circle of like-minded spirits whom I never would have met in my daily life. Like you, I am tongue-tied in a crowd and feel myself always too late to the conversation, but cybersociety moves at my speed, and I’m grateful for that.
So now I have a new writer to follow and another interesting mind to get to know. Nice to meet you!
I’m so grateful to meet you and to hear I’m not the only one! Looking forward to the exchange 🙂
“They are people who reached through their world and touched ours. Uplifted and changed us. Made us strive for better than we are.” – true. 🙂
“For listening, for sharing, for daring to dream. And, most of all, for being the change.” – you sound grateful, indeed, ahaha.
Hello, Alarna… you summarize our blogging experience so beautifully in this post. just as glad when i first read this. thanks for sharing.
Many happy returns of the day… 🙂
San, many happy returns to you for your comment! I’m so glad you are a part of this blogging adventure with me 🙂
hala, you stole my line, dear. 😉 you have a way with words…
Ecstatic one as always, dear one! \RESPECT/
Rahul
Hey Rahul, thank you! How are you? Hope you’re doing well now we’ve survived the end of the world 🙂
Beautiful, is all that need be said. Thank you for sharing, it’s so good to have found your blog, perfect on a quiet night of contemplation and tea. 🙂
Thank you, so glad you came by. I hope to return the favour soon 🙂