tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post630793555575035223..comments2023-02-14T06:23:54.154-05:00Comments on A Former Leader's Journey: Memes and My InsecuritiesBarbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-30778843921593807832008-06-02T06:05:00.000-04:002008-06-02T06:05:00.000-04:00Great Post, Barb. Wow, you just summed up some in...Great Post, Barb. <BR/><BR/>Wow, you just summed up some intense feelings I have had regarding the blogging community. I hadn't really pinpointed it. <BR/><BR/>The thing is, the circle of bloggers that I find myself a part of has been nothing but accepting, affirming, welcoming. Yet there are times that I feel like I don't belong, that I don't have anything to contribute or someone else has said it better so what do I have to add. Those are my insecurities that were nurtured and flourished in many of the social settings of my life. Yes, even church is a social setting. <BR/><BR/>It is difficult to slay the dragon of insecurity that resides within. Memes are such a simplistic thing but really illustrate how we can function poorly or how we can function well. I like the idea of making all welcome to contribute to a topic and giving everyone the permission to not contribute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-67163996434791622922008-05-30T14:20:00.000-04:002008-05-30T14:20:00.000-04:00I think not paricipating is easy. But what would y...I think not paricipating is easy. But what would you do if you liked the subject and wrote about it...would you tag others. Would you assume the responded of desire or pressure? Would you return the favor if next time one of them tagged you.<BR/><BR/>It seems participation with anyone else, makes you part of a group. Their are group rules and individual rules. We all have them and know everybody elses. I just thought...even Jesus said this!!<BR/><BR/>Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.David Liemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14917769897335392048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-55835020606998307152008-05-30T11:50:00.000-04:002008-05-30T11:50:00.000-04:00Thankfully broken, thanks for your addition! and ...Thankfully broken, thanks for your addition! and thanks for dropping by. I enjoyed reading through your blog a bit today. Your openness and honesty and the ability to write well was a pleasure to read.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-50252348783337089042008-05-29T23:44:00.000-04:002008-05-29T23:44:00.000-04:00Ok, if it was not so scary top 10 unhealthiest chu...Ok, if it was not so scary top 10 unhealthiest churches/pastors. Ugh - no one in their right mind would bite on that one. I caught you live in PA recently too, me too. Small world, KimKimberly Preskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14150619693633741348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-30558814509243809302008-05-29T23:07:00.000-04:002008-05-29T23:07:00.000-04:00Steve, you just blew my theory about it being a gi...Steve, you just blew my theory about it being a girl thing. I guess it is a human thing.<BR/><BR/>Early on I could not believe that Grace did not actually live in my town. Her story is so much like mine, but she lives in another whole state. I don't think I recall you ever mentioning growing up in PA. I never actually said I was from here until I decided not to be so evasive.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-76543267523670366442008-05-29T22:41:00.000-04:002008-05-29T22:41:00.000-04:00I don't know if I've ever admitted this out loud o...I don't know if I've ever admitted this out loud or online, but I can completely relate to your struggle to want to feel like one of the "in" crowd.<BR/><BR/>Then there are the days when I don't care if anyone links to me or tags me or even reads my blog!<BR/><BR/>But most of the time, I find that old battle to want to belong is raging just as strong as it did back in the CLB I left over 4 years ago.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I grew up in southeastern PA -- had we made that connection yet? Just recently I saw you mention central PA a couple of times. For some reason, I always assumed you were in the same geographical location as grace is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-8121259583125033482008-05-29T21:51:00.000-04:002008-05-29T21:51:00.000-04:00Ruthie, I'm trying....he is so busy this week that...Ruthie, I'm trying....he is so busy this week that when he read it it hardly made a blip on his screen. When he has some time though it should be fun.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-73536843309484922942008-05-29T19:50:00.000-04:002008-05-29T19:50:00.000-04:00Barb,Please, Please, Please ask Marsh to make that...Barb,<BR/>Please, Please, Please <BR/>ask Marsh to make that list...It would be a hoot!<BR/><BR/>BFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-12895577440661365672008-05-29T18:31:00.000-04:002008-05-29T18:31:00.000-04:00Mary, I remember someone doing that and hardly no ...Mary, I remember someone doing that and hardly no one responding. I was so afraid for their feelings.<BR/><BR/>And so far I love your meme idea the best! So funnyBarbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-45615804444512176272008-05-29T18:30:00.000-04:002008-05-29T18:30:00.000-04:00Sara, I moved schools each year of my life...maybe...Sara, I moved schools each year of my life...maybe that is why belonging is so important to me. It definately taught me to try and become whatever was expected.<BR/><BR/>Great meme idea!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-21956589514823000932008-05-29T18:29:00.000-04:002008-05-29T18:29:00.000-04:00Tracy, Thanks so much. I once said that I felt li...Tracy, Thanks so much. I once said that I felt like I was no more than the sum total of everyone's expectations. Maybe shedding the "Church Lady" is really doing something here.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-32812797297160993622008-05-29T18:26:00.000-04:002008-05-29T18:26:00.000-04:00PJ, I often wonder that about others churches. Th...PJ, I often wonder that about others churches. They all sound so familiar. But if you are not in Central PA, then probably not!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-71706814440801703362008-05-29T18:24:00.000-04:002008-05-29T18:24:00.000-04:00Erin, Sometimes I wonder if women deal with this m...Erin, Sometimes I wonder if women deal with this more than men. My husband has no problem saying no to something. He doesn't even feel he needs to give an explaination. That is almost impossible for me. I don't buy into many gender issues but I wonder if this is a real one.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-53331750770979521072008-05-29T13:27:00.000-04:002008-05-29T13:27:00.000-04:00List 10 people whom you hope don't find your blog....<I>List 10 people whom you hope don't find your blog. Bonus: link them </I><BR/><BR/>LOL!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539133854675715353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-20704811500874273972008-05-29T12:16:00.000-04:002008-05-29T12:16:00.000-04:00Great post!I have a flip side to your thoughts. I...Great post!<BR/><BR/>I have a flip side to your thoughts. I don't create memes because if NOBODY participated, then my insecurities would start running amuck!<BR/><BR/>Here is a meme for your top 10 (since the whole point is that no one participates, then I can create confidently - hehe)<BR/><BR/>List 10 people whom you hope don't find your blog. Bonus: link themMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14210237440245609870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-72881216928228112722008-05-29T09:51:00.000-04:002008-05-29T09:51:00.000-04:00it's somewhere between humbling and amazaing and h...it's somewhere between humbling and amazaing and humiliating how some of us never really got past the grade-school hurt of being in the last handful to be picked when "they" were choosing up sides . . . <BR/><BR/>horrible memes? are we staying in the "Christian-y" theme, or going abroad? How about this:<BR/><BR/>Who's the worst preacher you ever heard? (Be sure to use specific names.) What made them so bad? And (if it was someone you were listening to consistently) why did you bother to keep listening to them?Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539133854675715353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-78097501434957585492008-05-29T06:02:00.000-04:002008-05-29T06:02:00.000-04:00Barb, after I read your post last night a phrase f...Barb, after I read your post last night a phrase from tv (when I was a kid many moons ago!) kept coming to my mind: "Would the real ---insert name here---please stand up." It was from "To Tell the Truth." <BR/><BR/>It feels like in the last few months or so you are really coming forward with the authentic YOU! You're done apologizing for who you are and how He created you. You have enough strength now to stand as your own "I am." So, when I read this post and heard the statement about the real person standing up, well, I wanted to let you know: I see you standing up! <BR/><BR/>It's really wonderful to see you gaining such strength so quickly (I've been so slow at this!). You're coming out of the fog and mist, emerging into the light. I just wanted to tell you: I see you standing and I like what I see!Tracy Simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022373370290350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-3651762359753872732008-05-28T23:13:00.000-04:002008-05-28T23:13:00.000-04:00I continue to be amazed at how closely alike our C...I continue to be amazed at how closely alike our CLB's must be. Are you sure we didn't go to the same church? :)<BR/>Thanks for sharing so much!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10486524154078373298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-62544449084153478652008-05-28T22:21:00.000-04:002008-05-28T22:21:00.000-04:00I so identify with your points about longing to be...I so identify with your points about longing to be and pressure to conform. It's hard, because so much of it is human nature, whatever environment we're in. I try to avoid it, but I know I don't succeed...because I DO do things because I want people to like me, which is really what both points are about. We all want people to like us, but often it gets us into trouble in the end if we aren't true to ourselves, selfish as that sounds.<BR/><BR/>Great post..you are always so full of such wisdom. And I'm not saying that to make you feel important. It's true, and you have a gift.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-62804325733682733192008-05-28T21:11:00.000-04:002008-05-28T21:11:00.000-04:00Thanks Barry, that makes sense. Somehow I need to...Thanks Barry, that makes sense. Somehow I need to get over feeling guilty for saying, "No thanks."<BR/><BR/>PJ, thanks for your entry! I probably have a different take though on your words because during this year I would hope not to run into anyone because the shunning or simply awkwardness from former friends hurt so much.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-9510108565552404912008-05-28T21:06:00.000-04:002008-05-28T21:06:00.000-04:00BarbMy thought for a meme no one would participate...Barb<BR/>My thought for a meme no one would participate in kind of goes with yours. Top 10 places you were at and thought I hope nobody from church sees me here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-67872241564697279002008-05-28T19:50:00.000-04:002008-05-28T19:50:00.000-04:00Not really, no. Not that it's happened often, bec...Not really, no. Not that it's happened often, because I usually enjoy participating, but when I do decline to participate I don't feel guilty. I look upon a tag as an invitation, not a mandate.<BR/><BR/>Think of it as being together in a discussion group. If someone says to you, "What do you think, Barb?" you'd probably be happy to speak out if you had something to contribute, but if not you could just say, "Erm, dunno," or something similar and the discussion could still continue, none the worse for not having your input at that point.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18344399473884127122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-80033951978167434992008-05-28T19:35:00.000-04:002008-05-28T19:35:00.000-04:00Barry, Loved that one. I shall create a Top 10 Li...Barry, Loved that one. I shall create a Top 10 List! <BR/><BR/>The one I thought up was, "Video Moments of Your Life You Hope They Never Show in Heaven"<BR/><BR/>What I want to know though is this: Don't you feel "bad" at all for not participating?Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-27892811336950976442008-05-28T18:42:00.000-04:002008-05-28T18:42:00.000-04:00Memes that no-one would participate in, eh? Can I...Memes that no-one would participate in, eh? Can I play?<BR/><BR/>I suggest:<BR/><BR/>10 random people who smell bad<BR/><BR/><BR/>Seriously, my take on memes is that I'll take part in them if I find them interesting - if not I won't, even if I've been tagged.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18344399473884127122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246437973827092428.post-48046294007717644512008-05-28T18:18:00.000-04:002008-05-28T18:18:00.000-04:00Bill, I laughed when I saw your post today because...Bill, I laughed when I saw your post today because this one was almost written. Thanks!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04357293290630832549noreply@blogger.com