why do you do what you do?

August 10, 2012
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{an entirely thrifted outfit.}
One of the consistent thoughts I had while at BlogHer was …
“Why?”

Why am I blogging?  
What are my intentions?  
What is the legacy I want to leave behind with my words, videos and career?  
How do I want to be remembered?

It’s easy to go to conferences and get caught up.
It’s all amazing and helpful information, but if you aren’t clear on your purpose, I could see how easy it would be to get pulled in a direction you perhaps never intended on going.

Do you want to be famous?
Do you want to be recognized?
Do you want to be rich? (ahem…reality check, we’re blogging.  remember that.)
Do you want free stuff?
Do you want to represent brands you love and respect?
Do you want to help spread the word about issues and products?
Do you want to share your stories and life lessons?
Or feature ones others have learned?
Do you want to inspire others?
Or challenge yourselves?
Are you writing to practice your craft?
Or is it to find a world and a community outside the 4 walls of the house you tend to be in every day?

Do you want to teach?
Or reach?
Is it to make people laugh and feel happy on dark days?

Is it to get noticed for your fashion taste?
Or your gift for finding a deal?

Is it to make people feel less alone in life?
Or to feel less alone yourself?
Do you want to live by numbers?
Or by the amount of changed lives?

I thought about all of this as I remembered what my Mama Gayle (my “adopted mom” and mentor) shared with me just weeks before I left.


“If you’re standing on a table and someone else is on the ground, which is easier?  For them to pull you down, or for you to lift them up?”

It’s something I’ll never forget.

And so, I’ve been deep in thought over where I want to go with my blog, my writing, my videos, and my dancing.
What are my intentions?
What is the legacy I want to leave behind with the gifts I believe God has blessed me with?
I have an idea, which is why I wrote my blog thesis…(a must read)
I know I want to provide a “me too” place to be. (the other half)

That much is clear.

I want to be real and vulnerable and true to who I am inside and out, in person and online.
I want to make people laugh.
I want to make people think.
I want to inspire and be inspired.
I want to have fun and build a safe community.
I want to dance every day and show others that exercise is fun and healing.
And if I could just get everyone I come across to give thrift stores a chance, then really I’ve already done so much.


But where to go from here?
Do I want a book deal?
A web or tv series?
A column or many articles that have my name attached?
Experience?
Or a career where I’m making a living doing what I love?
Would I still do it if money wasn’t an option?
What if anonymity was the must?
Some of it, all of it, or am I content to stay right here for the rest of my life?
It’s what I’m asking of myself, and so I wonder….
Have you ever considered why you do what you do?  
Blogging or otherwise?
And are your goals in line with your morals and values?
I just want to encourage you to take the time to pray, to ponder and to search….for the purpose that is meant for you.
Don’t look around at what everyone else is doing and how they are doing it.  At least not until you are solid on where you need to be.
Don’t attempt to become what others say you should.
Remember the saying…
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
In everything you do, there is a purpose.
In everything you choose to be a part of, there is potential for an incredible legacy to leave behind.

What will your legacy be?
How will you be remembered when you’re gone?
Will you be proud of what you did.
More importantly, will He?
© 2012 “Le Musings of Moi”
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Comments

  1. Ananda Leeke says:
    August 11, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Hi Summer. Thanks for such a lovely post. I loved your words and vintage clothing. I am sad that I did not get to meet you in person. I am happy I found you on Twitter and read your blog. Blessings, Ananda

  2. Signing Mama says:
    August 13, 2012 at 1:24 am

    Helpful insight to get some clarity on what it is we’re all here (blogging or on earth in genral) to do. I do think about these things – it is partly why I had to start a second blog ; ) Thank you for the well written prose to get me thinking.