Every day we are faced with large decisions and small — decisions that make the difference between life and death, decisions that only make the difference between being lazy or productive. (Though who is to say that being lazy is unproductive. We often get our best ideas when we are lolling around, thinking of nothing.)
My decision each day is to write this blog. Most days, the choice is easy. I generally have no lack of things to say. But some days, like today, I have to coerce myself to write something. I have nothing to say, no new insights, no plans or hopes — just a blank “paper” on my computer, and yet, here I am, filling the blankness.
I could, of course, simply not write anything, but I’m one of those people who by default does what takes the least effort. Once I stop making the effort
to write, once I break the infallibility of a daily blog, then it’s all over.
You dieters know what I’m talking about. When you go on a diet and then “accidentally” nibble on a cookie, you figure the whole day is a waste since you broke your diet, and so one by one those cookies disappear. If you’d never sampled the cookie, you’d still be on that diet. Or if you’d done the logical thing you’d still be on the diet — you’d have enjoyed the nibble and continued on as if you’re still on your diet, because you are. One nibble does not break a diet. It’s all those subsequent cookies that do the dirty deed. Even worse, once the diet is broken, it’s almost impossible to get back on it.
It’s the same thing with blogging. As long as I make an effort to write every day, I will continue to write every day. But if once I slack off, then it’s all over. First one day will pass, then another, because why not? The world wouldn’t end if I neglected to post my words. In fact, the world might even be a better place. But after not writing one day, then the next, I’d begin to think about it, wondering if I wanted to write. As the days passed, I’d even forget to ask if I want to blog, and gradually I’ll sink into wordlessness.
I’m sure that will happen someday. Just not today.
***
Pat Bertram is the author of the suspense novels Light Bringer, More Deaths Than One, A Spark of Heavenly Fire, and Daughter Am I. Bertram is also the author of Grief: The Great Yearning, “an exquisite book, wrenching to read, and at the same time full of profound truths.” Connect with Pat on Google+. Like Pat on Facebook.
Bertram's Blog 
April 11, 2014 at 5:01 pm
I’ve been in danger of that once or twice.
April 12, 2014 at 6:07 am
Good. Because your blog is part of my daily routine now, and I’m not ready to give it up 🙂
April 13, 2014 at 2:28 pm
What a lovely thing to say, Malene! Thank you.
April 12, 2014 at 4:03 pm
I know sitting down to do blogging takes time out of your day, but how appealing and valued your efforts are to others. It reminds me to stop making excuses about disregarding my own writing.
April 13, 2014 at 2:27 pm
For me, blogging is a way of procrastinating to keep from doing “real” writing. Though the truth is, blogging is becoming my “real” writing — I have a lot more readers for this blog than my books!