Monday Mailbox ~ Comments from the Blitz

I know y'all are probably tired of hearing about the Blitz blog and my being blitzed, but while I joined to support DL Hammon, I really didn't expect the overwhelming feeling that goes along with being Blitzed. To finish this topic off I wanted to touch on a few comments made.

• Awe- Quite a few commenter mentioned being in awe of me. I'm just me. You can't spend as many decades, well over half a century, as I have on this Earth and not learn a few things by the journey. I don't write my blog to instill awe in anyone. Just to encourage others.

• Inspiration- A vast number of you commented about me being an inspiration. The quick and easy answer is- isn't that what a good pastor does, but it's deeper than that. I was this way before I became an ordained minister. Yes, I have a story which I've only scratched the surface of in the blog, but so do you. We all have stories to tell. Some are are more "Oh my goodness!" than others but we all have a story. My blog is just to let others know "You are not alone."
• Speed Bumps- My speed bumps in life are always retrospectives. I guarantee you while facing those mountains there were many times I wanted to give up but couldn't. Just like you. Wouldn't it be easier to be the victim, yes, but is that any way to go through life?
• Attitude- My attitude comes from living life on a roller coaster. Everyone has ups and downs. I just prefer to be proactive. I just refuse to have a life that I didn't order. Yeah, I'm stubborn, mule headed, and down right cantankerous at times. I prefer to be the pusher instead of the pushed. That way I'm always on top. I stand on the rock of Christ and though I may sway and almost lose my footing, I don't fall. It's a lifestyle decision. I could sit around everyday and cry but I'd rather conquer and laugh.
• Prenotice of being Blitzed- No, I didn't have prenotice that I was being Blitzed but being proactive in all things armed me by a few comments overnight that I was the blitzee that day. So I thought I'd write about the Blitz since it wasn't a usual blog day.

Again, thank you for the comments and following. It happened after a really low couple of months here at the Murphey Saga household. I appreciate it all the more.

A couple things to note about the blog hops you choose. As you can see from my recent blitz of comments during Blitz Blog, promotion in writing is all about exposure to new readers and publicity as a writer this is of paramount importance. I hit 121 followers via Google Friends with my one time up at bat during this Blitz that equates to 40 new readers reading this blog from a minimal effort on my part. My name is read by all participants when I comment on their sites that can be linked back to me. An arrow does have two sharp sides.

Most blog hops are a flood over a short period of time. Haphazard at best for obtaining followers. This blog hop and the Indelibles Indie Life are the type of of in your face in bursts rather than beating you over the head without mercy. You can make an informed choice over time whether you want to follow the poster or not. On average it takes twenty exposures to make a decision for the majority of folks. Which would you prefer a slow burn that gives warmth continually on a cold night, or a flash fire,  intense warmth for a short time.  I choose the slow burn.

Keep writing and loving the Lord.

The Blitz

Oh my goodness! I am being blitzed! I'm part of the Blog Blitz campaign run by none other than DL Hammon. Don, I didn't get the email to Blitz myself. Shame shame.

The joys and headaches of blog hops is 1) there's usually too many people involved to keep track of everyone, and 2) you get forgetful on which one runs when. I am guilty as charged. Yesterday I posted my blog for the Indelibles Indie Life when it should be next Wednesday. All I can say is I lost too many brain cells with my stroke and my schedule went from Abby Normal to Hectic Hanna the past couple weeks, but hey, I'm still blogging.

When I get too frustrated to work on my Work In Progress I blog. It all cognitive practice for me and Lord, do I love to talk. That's the one thing I really miss with my stroke is the ability to form words verbally. But it's just as well because although I only type, one-handed at a new pace of 42 WPM instead of 120 WPM my brain has a chance to work at a slower pace too.

Last test  my IQ=150

On an interesting note, my cardiologist suggested to me that I get a Mensa tutor. I've been a member for more than three decades, but now I'm severely impaired. Yes, I had a very high IQ. Now, not so much. It's not that I don't know what I know, but I have lost the ability to process, recall the information, and communicate it back...in other words my brain short circuits or a brain fart. To say this is frustrating is a huge understatement. I'm still on the fence about this.

But challenges are something we all face. If we didn't have mountains to charge up where would we be? Everyone needs challenges in their lives. If we didn't, how would we know how far we've come in retrospect. I've charged up many a hill in my lifetime. Some I reached the pinnacle and others I couldn't, but that didn't stop me from trying. The learning opportunities and the conquest are the goal.

That's why I call my stroke a bump in the road of life. In some respects it is the most challenging I've ever had to face, but then in retrospect so was walking again after being in a helicopter crash, bouts with cancer, raising two disabled children (1 physically & 1 mentally challenged), and a host of other things that have happened in my life. They are all molehills now in looking back compared to any new mountain I face.

Happy Blitz Day to me. For all of you just finding me...my usual blog schedule is Monday Mailbox where I answer emails and snail mail from readers and writers, Wednesday Writerly Way where I talk about writing and publishing both from the traditionally published and indie view points, Friday Fun where I chat about fun stuff like reviews of books, movies, tv and other fun stuff like family, on Sunday it's Stroke Survivor and it's all about dealing with strokes. Occasionally, like today I'll chat about anything and everything. I hope you'll follow me, comment, and revisit. Any way, welcome to the Murphey Saga.

Keep writing and loving the Lord.