Hi and thanks for the read. I figure that since this is my
first post on this new blog that I would use it to give everyone a better idea
of what type of posts one might expect to find here. I’ve struggled for a while
now with content issues, the big Qs - “What is my brand, my niche?” “What is it
about me that would make a reader like you care what I have to say?” These are
the questions that most professional bloggers tell a person they need to answer
if they want to have a successful blog. Since I have a lot of interests and a
lot of world experience this seemed to be a question that might never be
answered.
I have an online store - GrandmaTerri at Etsy.com so I
thought, “Maybe do a blog about sewing and crocheting.”
I've raised 9 children and have 4 grandchildren (one of whom
I’m currently raising), and another on the way so I thought, “Maybe I should
blog about family, specifically about the child/parent dynamic.”
I’m a recovering alcoholic and drug addict with 21 years of
sobriety so I figured, “I could blog about addiction and recovery.”
I've lost too many people that I have loved including my
mother, my father, and a daughter, so it occurred to me that, “I could blog
about the loss of a loved one and the affects that are associated with that.”
These are just a few samples, though, of the life
experiences that have made me who I am, so how do I choose my “niche” each one
of these things is important. It seemed like any one of these myriad of subjects
could be a compelling blog. Finally, I came to a decision. I looked at all of
the things in my life that I have done, been through, survived, and cared about
and then I realized that given it all, I’m still here. I’m still hanging on. I’m
strong and despite some very bleak and despairing moments in my life, I
continue to believe that life is good and that even in the darkest times it’s
possible to find that faith within yourself that tells you it’s going to be ok,
that climbing up that ladder only to be knocked down again is a normal part of
life. I know that every human being has gone through their own trials, has had
their own moments of highs and lows and that’s the common thread which binds
humanity together. Given that, I can’t help but feel that no matter how much
better someone else’s life may look, my life has been, and remains good too.
This, I think is my niche. Not the, “Oh, I’m so happy all
the time” optimist. That’s not real. That’s not what life is. No, I think my “niche”
is reality and the pragmatic view of life in the world around me which keeps me
grounded. This is who I am and I think that any person who has ever gone
through a difficult life situation (yes, that is everyone) can understand that
there is a way to make life good again...you just have to find it. This is what
spurred the concept behind, “I See the Green Grass” In this blog you will find
life’s moments, the ups and the downs, but more importantly you’ll find the
realistic thoughts - good and bad - which can give an aching heart and a broken
person the strength to carry on, because the grass is not always greener on the
other side of the fence.
