Expectations & Realities

Posted: April 26, 2010 at 12:27 pm

I loved reading all of your comments about blogger meet-ups. I would love to be one of the few of you who had the chance to go to different blogger events and meet quite a few friendly faces. And I have to say,Β I love the idea of an Atlanta blogger meetup. We need to start planning that! I wouldn't mind organizing it for sometime in the next couple of months, if anyone who would be interested in going can email me ideas or suggestions on where to meet, etc. Lastly, those of you who haven't met someone yet, I'm sure you will soon. And thankfully we have the blogs to connect even across many, many miles of distance. πŸ™‚

This brings me to today's post. Don't you just love when the reality of something far exceeds your expectations? That is what this blog is becoming for me. I first started this blog as a place to get my thoughts out on the numerous things that run through my mind. I had no expectations except to write and express myself since it is something I have always loved to do...and also to keep Peter from going crazy having to listen to all of my ramblings in detail over and over and over again. There is something about writing that brings clarity, perspective, and a release.

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In January of this year I began posting regularly, and more than just my sporadic posts on my competition prep diet + workouts I had previously done. Since then, I have seen numerous benefits to the world of blogging and even my humble blog that is in the mix. It has far exceeded any expectation that I ever had when starting this thing out.

Without a doubt, the biggest blessing I have experienced is the relationships. Being able to connect with like minded people that I don't come into contact with often in my everyday life is amazing. I can share things here that I would never share elsewhere. You all know my deepest feelings of my relationship with my father, things only a handful of other people know about. You knew first that Peter & I were trying to conceive and the emotional battles that has brought me as well as the growth. Β I can share my passion for random things like a new workout and know that you all will be just as nerdy Β excited about it as I am. Being able to have so many virtual cheerleaders cheers me up every single day.

Meetup with Em

Meetup with Lindsey

Meetup with Mandy (who I met from the Oxygen forum & is now a best friend)

Meetup with 2 Other Awesome Ladies (no longer blog/journal)

And there are other things I never knew would come from blogging and pouring my heart out to anyone who stumbles across Faith, Fitness, & Fun. Things like helping people to change their lives for the better. Even in the last week, I have had a good handful of emails from people with such moving comments or questions reaching out for my support. I don't know why they choose to reach out to me, as I don't consider myself anything special, but I do know that I am thrilled to support anyone who needs it and help them to reach their full potential as the amazing women they are. From faith to fitness to emotional struggles to pregnancy and beyond, people are relating to me and I am proud to lift them up, in the same way they are lifting me up as well. I thrive on taking the time to reach out to them and give them the advice and care they are looking for. It blesses me more than anything.

Keep Each Other Strong

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Even better? I am learning a ton from your blogs as well! Amazing recipes, workout ideas, experiences on things like becoming a personal trainer, confidence boosters, etc, etc, etc. The list is never ending. I cannot rave enough about all that your blogs have taught me. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful insights and helping me to grow and accomplish new things. Thank you!

learning through the computer & your blogs

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And lastly, something else that is beyond my expectations are the new goals I have. I want to share my Triple F Philosophy with as many people as I can. Knowing that the blog can be a platform to do so excites me to no end. I think how I would love to do things across the spectrum from big to small. Write a book, contribute articles to magazines, speak in my community or church about these topics I am passionate about, start up programs at local gyms for young girls and/or women to promote self respect and love, etc. The notion that my blog will just help me develop to possibly pursue these goals in the future astounds me.

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I know those ideas are lofty ones and I'm not assuming I will do any of them. I know my blog isn't anything spectacular or as well read as some others. BUT...Who knows where the future will take me. Who knows where this blog will take me. I have no set expectations, but I know the reality will be better than I could imagine. After all, it already is. And I have YOU to thank for that.

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21 Comments to “Expectations & Realities”
  1. Heather says:

    the beauty is that God can take anything and turn it into something amazing…and I have no doubt in my mind that he will take your amazing little corner of the internet and do just that πŸ™‚ i mean, i found your blog and your beautiful encouragement through your writing and comments has helped me more than i could ever say!

  2. I know what you mean! It’s amazing how supportive the blog world can be and how much THEY encourage YOU when you’re trying to do the same for them πŸ™‚ I’m glad you had a nice meet up! I wish I knew of more bloggers in my area. I would LOVE to have a meet up!

    Oh, and about “Date Night”, YES! You must see it. VERYYYY funny. πŸ˜‰

  3. Vee says:

    Go for it girl! I love dreaming BIG! πŸ™‚ Your aspirations are truly amazing and you can do anything you set your mind to. Promoting your philosophy amongst those young girls & nourishing your community are such wonderful goals to have. I can not wait to hear more about your next ventures! πŸ™‚

  4. i LOVE blog reading because I really do learn so much from others, its amazing what a community this is and how people are so open and amazingly friendly!

    awesome pics tina!

  5. I am so with you on blogging experiences. I started mine with zero expectations. I seriously had no idea what would come out of it. I have “met” some amazing people and am inspired almost daily. It’s definitely turned into so much more than I could have asked for.

  6. Mellissa says:

    The blog world is so incredible! It is nice to have women across the country who truly listen and care.

    I think it is awesome that you want to spread your message, people will listen. Good luck πŸ™‚

  7. So glad you have received such support in Bloggerland! πŸ™‚ And I sooo wish I was closer to Atlanta, I’d totally be at your blogger meet-up in a heartbeat!!!

  8. Isn’t it great? I had no idea it would lead to this either. I LOVE the blogging community πŸ˜€

  9. inmytummy says:

    I’m all for an Atlanta meet up!

  10. So true! Blogging has exceeded my expectations also. What started out at a little way for me to vent turned into something I look forward to doing most each day.

  11. Katie says:

    I totally agree! I just started my blog…but I am already learning how AWESOME it feels to connect/share/inspire others, and be inspired by others as well! πŸ™‚ It’s a great thing to have a place to get support and gain great info and new ideas! πŸ™‚ Glad I ‘found’ your blog!

  12. homecookedem says:

    LOVE this post!! πŸ™‚ I totally agree… my blog started out as an attempt to photograph all of my food, but it has totally changed into a way to connect with amazing people and to give and receive support. I can say for sure that I would not be nearly as confident and happy today without being an active member of this community. It has done so much for me and I can only hope I’ve possibly helped someone else. You are the kindest, most giving person. I’m so very thankful that I stumbled upon your blog b/c not only do I learn so much from you, but I’ve also been lucky enough to be able to call you a friend!! πŸ™‚ Oh and Andrew is very happy that I have a blog now so I’ll stop telling him everything food/workout/body related, haha!! πŸ˜‰

    Have a lovely evening my sweet friend!! πŸ™‚ Praying for you as always!!!!!!

  13. Jessie says:

    I have high expectations for you because I know you will meet them and exceed them! Every compliment you give to all of us bloggers is returned to you doublefold – recipes, exercise, inspiration. I love your writing, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing all that you have. I’ve loved the last few months of blogging for the friends that I have met πŸ™‚

  14. Lovely, amazing post, Tina!
    I blog for connections. I first blogged to share recipes but that to me is boring. I wish I didnt have a “food blog” as much as I had a “life stuff” blog. I have posted recently that i know i have readers in the shadows who only read me for my recipes but that’s so silly to me…go read allrecipes.com or something instead! I love sharing my life on the blog, and it’s so much more rewarding. And I love reading about your life, too. and i love reading blogs where the blogger is “human” and real!
    xoox

  15. Melissa says:

    The blog community is great.

    And I feel like I’ve definitely gotten a lot out of reading your blog. So thank you! I don’t always have time to leave a comment. But I love that you are so open and heartfelt in each and every post. And you have great things to say! πŸ™‚

  16. Ameena says:

    I think blogging has helped build up my confidence enormously and has also allowed me to see into other people’s lives…people who I thought had a perfect life but have just as many problems as I do. I’m glad that blogging has helped you too.

    I think your writing and blog is fabulous and not at all “humble” as you put it. You are a very sweet and kind person Tina and I hope that we can meet up one of these days too.

  17. britishbride says:

    Loving this post. I too am very thankful I found blogging as a way of expressing and motivating myself. Keep it up.

    Julia
    British Bride

  18. Tara Savage says:

    Aw this is such a great post! Thank you for your honesty, and strength! Tell yourself you DO expect to write a book or colums for a paper, and make it happen!! The triple F philosophy is truely a great one! <3 <3 <3

  19. jen says:

    I’ve started so many blogs and then for whatever reason let them go. I’m trying really hard to keep my current one up though πŸ™‚

    I love your blog Tina, I love the fact that you have such a positive outlook on life and I LOVE reading about your faith. I have struggled with my faith for a long time and I truly want what you have πŸ™‚ . I think I’m headed in the right direction.

    As for meet up’s? I would love to meet some of my blog friends. I’m another GA girl here πŸ™‚ , I just live on the opposite end of the state. So if you are ever on the GA Coast or anywhere near North Florida, give me a shout.

    Have a beautiful day

  20. Tina, you are such a gem. I’ve loved reading your blog and all of your writing has been so inspiring, honest, and insightful. I completely agree that I’ve gained so much from my blogging experience and my expectations have been exceeded in so many ways. It’s blogs like yours that make me feel so supported, comforted, and engaged. Thanks!

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