for now...

I have been wanting to respond to many of the thoughtful comments that were left last week. To keep this post on the shorter side (but it’s still long), I’m just going to list my responses and additional thoughts in no particular order in a bullet point format. I guess you can consider this somewhat of a manifesto for this blog.

• Honesty should never be an excuse for not being kind.
• In regards to commenting on other blogs, I too go by the philosophy of "if I don’t have anything nice or supportive to say, I don’t say anything at all"
• Unless someone is asking, I do not feel it is my place to offer constructive criticism.
• I do not post my designs at this forum asking for constructive criticism. I am fortunate to have a wonderful circle of creative friends who I can ask that of in person. If I do ask here, you’ll know.
• I am absolutely in support of bloggers who choose to advertise and those who do not.
• There is no right way to blog.
• The point of my last post was simply to ask questions of the blogging community of which I am a part of. And to ask this question of myself and MY own blog.
• I am forever grateful to those in the blogging community who have supported and promoted my work. When I joined the podcasting/blogging community, I first let people know I was here, and then word of mouth, via this amazing internet, took it from there ~ many blogs, especially those in the design community announced my arrival to the internet scene, greatly contributing to me finally making a living with my art. This support will never be forgotten.
• I want to return the support that was and is so generously given to me. This is why you often see me mentioning other artists, authors, businesses here at my own blog.
• Offering genuine kindness, nicey niceness and support should never be underestimated.
• Being a genuine positive voice in the world is the BEST. Who couldn’t use more of that?
• I’ve been accused of being too positive more than once in my life, before I ever even started a blog.
• I plan to continue to being a positive voice in the world, and don’t feel that asking honest questions of myself and others detracts from my solid intention of being an uplifter.
• I was a podcaster before I was a blogger and I realize now more than ever how hearing someone’s tone combined with their with words gives a much better understanding of what they really mean to say.
• This blog has always been an extension of my business.
• This blog always promotes my creations
• I do sell my art through this blog and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate how fantastic it is that I make my living this way.
• I will not present myself in any way that does not feel like "me" just in the hopes that people will buy more of my art.
• This blog is in complete support of the "Creative Thursday" brand that I am building, and included in my brand is my "voice" in which kindness, authenticity, honesty and genuineness are vital.
• I think Amber said it best in her comment when she said "when your blog transforms into one of your creations (which yours has) it is hard to feel fulfilled if you aren’t able to fully express yourself in the same level as you do with your artwork". This is what has happened to me.
• My blog has also become one of my creative expressions.
• This blog will never be a place where I share all of myself.
• This blog has never been a place where I share all the details of my personal life.
• I have always said that it represents the best parts of my life.
• I will not be sharing the lowest of my lows here.
• I will not be sharing  all of my highest highs here either.
• This blog is always just a "glimpse" of my life.
• My life is pretty wonderful, and I expect it to get better and better for as long as I live.
• My life is not perfect, nor will I present it as such, unless I come to define perfection as my life, just as it is, in all of its uncertainty.
• I will always do my best to speak from a secure vs. insecure place
• I will always do my best to speak authentically
• I will continue to speak/write on topics that I feel are relevant to this blog and living the creative life. (If I veer from that I will be sure to let you know).
• I will always be in support of people following and living their dreams.
• There is no right or wrong way to blog.
• Blogging is such a personal individual expression.
• I believe that you can be an authentic blogger even if you are only using your blog as a professional calling card only.
• I do believe in blog etiquette and being considerate.
• I do want people to feel like they can discuss things honestly in the comments at my blog. Whether you agree or disagree with me, I do love hearing your insight, and I always appreciate your willingness to share. I also always ask that if you do leave a comment publicly that you be gracious. If you are mean spirited to me this blog or any other blog or person, which no one ever has, I’m just saying I will delete you ;).
• I believe we are living at a time where people are more intuitive and able to interpret more than what a person is saying or even writing. Meaning that if a person’s actions don’t ultimately line up with what they are proclaiming, we can tell.
• I ask that people just be honest with themselves. And if they have a public forum, I ask that they publicly state their intentions, so that there is no confusion to their audience about who they are.
• I hope that if you meet me in person, you will recognize me as the person you have come to know here at this blog.
• I believe that a person’s true candor always reveals itself over time. 
• If any of my thoughts, especially those I have recently expressed, have caused you to question mine ~ I understand. And if you decide to stay with me on this journey, time will continue to reveal who I truly am as well.
• I am a huge fan of joy and happiness (and cuteness!) that is why my art is what it is. And with that said this blog will probably always err on the side of happiness and being nice.

Again, I thank you immensely for responding to my posts here last week. You’ve provoked thought in me and helped me to clarify the direction of my ever evolving blog and voice that I share with the world.

...and now back to the regularly scheduled program of pre-halloween fun!