Are you okay? Don't just say you are, because I know what that means—looking sad when you think no one can see you. -- Molly Hooper, from thisI know do not ask this often enough but...how are you? how has life been fairing? no, really. I want to know, and because honestly, there seems to be not enough people who even take the time to care. I know I don't ask often enough because I don't see you in person. in "real" life we may put it. but that doesn't mean you are not there. that doesn't mean you're just a screen; just a few scrambled words within a comment form that comes up occasionally. because without you, I wouldn't be here. this garden wouldn't be anything but a blank screen.
so many times the focus of blogging becomes a self-centered central and merely a place to go higher up in the levels of fame - a confidence booster to be assured that what the author is doing truly matters. to anyone.
because we humans crave that. to matter. to be noticed. to be admired. to be loved by anyone. to be acknowledged and appreciated. to count. we'll go to great lengths to be noticed as such, worrying about publishing perfection or writing something heart-stopping or even posting every other day of the week. and we've become a bit talented in being able to hide what emotions really enrage within our minds; we have learned how to bury every quirk and talent and interest that we find no one would ever understand - ever care to take the time to understand - just to be noticed and accepted as "one of them." but I have learned, I will never be one of them, so why aspire towards that?
so, dearheart. how are you? because, I really want to know, and frankly, because it sometimes seems nobody takes the time to care to find out anymore.
xx | the girl in her garden.
postscript :: things might be a bit quiet around here this coming week, but dontcha fret your pretty little head... it just means a lots of stories are being developed at the moment. ;)
ohmygoodness. Grace, this. this is amazing. I was literally just thinking about how when somebody does ask how you are doing, they don't really listen to your answer. nobody really takes the time to care about how you are feeling. The last three days have been some of the worst days of my life. I found out that one of my closest friends just walked away from his faith. I still feel numb. I have never felt the way I have the last three days; it's like a nightmare, except it's real. Thank you so much for asking though, it means the world. (I'm sorry I dumped drama.) and darling, I couldn't agree more with the last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteoh, darling, Marcia. I am so sorry to hear about your ordeal. I'll pray for strength and wisdom for you and for the Lord to work in the heart of your friend. it is so hard to watch people we love walk away. xoxo
DeleteThank you for asking. I'm not doing well. On thursday i just had a load of crap handed to me by a guy i thought was my friend. So thats been really hard on me lately. Its just been a hard week, and i'm exhausted and overwhelmed. But thanks for asking. How are you, darling?
ReplyDeletei love this! this is one of the best posts ever, grace!
ReplyDeletexoxo (mainly kisses, darling), role model || [ admirer ]
I I know you probably didn't set out to write a post about being yourself and not changing who you are on your blog because you're trying to fit in with the blog world, but it was a good reminder for me about that ;) It seems like I can use all the reminders I can get in that area, because I'll read something like this and think "yeah, I shouldn't change who I am to try to fit it!" and then I'll think about writing posts, and I'll think "well this isn't the type of post people will like" and maybe I won't publish it... So it's good to be reminded :) And this post was also a very good reminder to care about how people are and not just ask how someone's doing and then tune out their answer ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking how I'm doing! This is probably going to be the craziest month of my life, so I could use prayers for strength and will to be the daughter/sister/hard-worker I need to be in this time ;)
And now it's your turn - how are you, Grace?
This is so beautifully encouraging, dear Grace. Thank you. <3
ReplyDeleteHello!
I'm rather busy today, trying to get a regengy gown begun and homework caught up on. But I'm good. And you?
Pst...let's make blogging a community. :)
~Bree
Thank you. Wow, thank you. Thank you SO much for being authentic...for caring about others and showing kindness towards them...for being yourself...for this post. You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness, Grace. I can't even go on to say... (crying, now)... how wonderful and helpful this is. *deep sigh* I've really been struggling lately. My dad is looking for a job (he just finished his pHD). Family life is a little hard. I've been struggling with some little things that aren't really a big deal, but they are at the same time (to me, at least) and I'd really love your prayer.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thank you. THANK YOU, Grace. You are one of the best and most honest and personal and heartfelt bloggers there is. God bless you, dear. You're in my prayers,
Acacia xxx
Wow! This is amazing! My dad and I were talking about this very thing a couple of days ago. Could you please pray that God will give me strength as I am going through a physically painful time? I have been in and out of the hospital four times with kidney problems and the recovery is terribly slow. Please pray that God will give me strength and that I will not doubt his plan. Thank you so much for just genuinely caring for people Grace.
ReplyDeletePeyton
Oh, darling, you're a beautiful blogger. I won't actually share what's happening to me cause I'd just be dumping a lot of complicated drama into your comment box, but it means a lot to be asked! I don't comment as much as I should, but you are a dear girl.
ReplyDeleteAnd, because we-your-followers aren't the only people who should be asked this, how are *you* doing? If there's ever anything (and in a girl's life there usually is) and you feel comfortable with sharing it, I know that I, at least, would love to pray for you.
God bless you!
Oh gosh, darling, this post is brilliant. I love it to death. And really, this is something I needed to get from a fellow blogger because lately, I've been doing back flips with my blogs to keep it sane and cool... I've probably not given a single thought what other people need/think about it.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, you are wonderful and so was that vanilla tea!
And hey, did you end up having to pack???
*grins*
--
Aw, you're such a dear! So happy to hear the vanilla tea was enjoyed...I'll be sending some more your way of course. ;)
DeleteYes, I did have to pack! *smiles* Looking back, I do suppose I was a bit frazzled that morning, and I apologize for speaking my 100 mpm ramblings during our little skype chat. love you to the moon and back.
Ya'll are just dolls, you hear? To tell you the truth, I have been fairing quite well amidst a whirlwind of activities that have been keeping this life adventurous. *smile* I shall be happy to continue praying for your little but oh-so-affecting woes of life {so in reality, I know the "little" things in a girl's life are not so little to you personally...if that makes any sense whatsoever *smile*}. Thanks for the love, deahearts. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Grace! You mean a lot to us all. :)
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