I just read one of the best posts that has ever crossed my Google reader from Lisa.

Aka my home-girl, internet soul-mate, long-lost “sister”, and one of my very best friends.

In her post, she shared her deepest thoughts on the Healthy Living Summit. She put it all out there and opened up some great discussion on blogging as a whole and the way bloggers approach their lives and blogging habits.

I read through the comments and nodded along to the wide variety of perspectives people shared. I started to type my own response in a comment there, but then realized I would overtake the comment section quickly and instead opted to post about it here.

Lisa discussed a few main things in her post:

• feeling too caught up in blogging over experiencing the city, conference, and friends
• the pressure of fitting into a blogger box
• no “right” or “wrong” way to blog
• caring about the people

Reading her post was an interesting experience for me. Why? Well, I find myself affected by all aspects of her post and the comments.

I am one of those bloggers that blog often and regularly. I did manage to blog a few times while at the Healthy Living Summit. I pull out the camera frequently and put my fair share of time into blogging. I do these things with a smile on my face. And, for the record, I never once felt bashed by Lisa. I know she knows me well.

I know myself well too. I know that I:

Live First.

Sure, I blog often. But over the past almost two years I have gotten it down to a science. I have figured out the tools that help me blog quickly. I know the ways I can organize my posts so that I can write more effectively. I allow blogging to fit my life and my schedule…not the other way around.

The only reason I have things to blog about is because I go out, make connections, learn lessons, and share life. I simply choose to turn around and use my time to share it here with all of you as well. I appreciate that Lisa emphasized that those she knew kept up blogging (including myself) still had a blast and experienced the conference, including the fun sight-seeing her and I shared!

No “Right” or “Wrong” Way to Blog.

I blog frequently. I post 2-3 times a day. Do you know why? It’s not to fit in a box or because I think I “should”. Oh, heck no! That would send me running in the opposite direction faster than you can say “asparagus”. It’s because I love capturing life and having a place to lay out the things that inhabit my mind. Or my bra.

My writing style prefers the shorter posts. I get overwhelmed trying to put everything I want to share into one post. I hate bypassing moments of life because I don’t feel I have the space to include them in my blog. With Makenzie in school, I decided to take Braedon’s morning naps to blog more.

Some might disagree with that but it’s an outlet for me. It gives me the chance to talk more about things I may have otherwise put off discussing – like my mom’s MS relapse or silly moments with the kids. I will never become a blogger that shares every meal or all the tiny details of my day…and that’s okay.

And it’s also okay if I want to blog more to have more variety on FFF for people to choose what they feel like reading – a motivational, personal post or a goofy, daily life post. It’s what works for me and what I enjoy. I don’t expect readers to catch every post…but I like the idea that you all (my wonderful friends) can have options and I can write what I want. Every blogger has to find that balance for himself or herself.

Sometimes blogging carries responsibilities.

Heather brought this up in the comments. Part of why she attended the conference was to help develop her blog and also the Healthy Living Blogs website. She needed to spend time keeping up with responsibilities related to the work of those two things. I did too.

I attended the conference first and foremost to have fun with my friends. And you bet I did!!! I don’t think anyone can argue me having a good time when you look at all I did:

• Rocking From Moment One – first night in Philly
• Like A Moth To A Flame – bloggers are just drawn to the fro-yo
• Parties, Bachelorette Sightings, & Runs – cocktail party and Ashley + JP sighting
• Top It Off With Champagne & Sushi – Saturday details and a night on the town

However, I also attended the conference to speak, represent Love Grown and their fabulous company, and to broaden the reach of FFF. Why?

My family is number one to me. Peter & I agreed that me staying at home with our kids was very important to us. I stayed home. I fell in love with blogging. Then, only through God’s will, the blog began to grow little by little and allow me the opportunity to do something I love, while still being at home with my children, and also help support my family financially even the smallest bit. I can’t avoid what I feel called to do and know is right for my family & I. So, yes – blogging involves some responsibility and work on my part…but I wouldn’t change that for the world with what it offers me in living out a passion and supporting my family all in one.

I’m going to stop here for now. I actually already had a post in mind for next week that related to the importance and value I put on relationships with blogging. If you attended our panel discussion, it relates to my response to the question from Ashley about the numbers side of blogging. You’ll want to stay tuned for that one!

• Share ANY thoughts you have on this discussion! I’m looking forward to reading them!

Morning, loves! How is this fine Wednesday morning treating you? I hope off the charts! Things are much better around here. I got the update that my mom no longer needs the respirator and her oxygen level shows in the normal range, albeit still on the lower end. So, progress is a-happening. Yay! Thanks for your support and prayers…and feel free to keep them coming. And I will keep you all posted.

So, you may or may not have noticed that my obsession energy for blogging has reached new heights recently.

Well, it has. All because I want to make FFF the best experience possible for each of you that choose to stop by and spend time with me – whether multiple times a day, once a day, weekly, monthly, or yearly.

Although I sincerely hope you find FFF welcoming enough to hang around more than monthly or yearly.

Our blogs can undoubtedly change over time. I know mine has and I work hard every day to help nourish my little baby and keep growing as a blogger…and as a person. Blogging helps me on so many levels and I feel thankful to have it (and YOU!) in my life daily.

This little ole blog has changed me in many ways and it only seems fit that changes show up on the blog as well – new looks, new material, new picture fun, and lots of new all around. One thing I don’t want to change? What my blog stands for. My blog’s “mission statement” if you will.

I hope if you regularly read FFF you will nod along as I go through my Mission Statement. I hope if you just started visiting or stopped by for the first time, you can feel confident in returning. I wish everyone could read this so as not to see the word “Faith” in my blog title and think I’m here to cram my beliefs down everyone’s throats because that is soooo NOT the way I do things. Or even my goal at all.

Faith Fitness Fun Blog Mission Statement

Share my life in the hopes that others can see a healthy life goes beyond diets and beyond workouts – that it includes loving yourself, loving others, and loving the blessing that is life.

Show that a balanced, healthy lifestyle is achievable, manageable, and FUN.

Connect with others and build an environment of love and support in this crazy, hectic world.

Let others facing struggles with their relationship with food, body image, and self-worth know they are not alone and CAN overcome those things.

Provide motivation in stepping out to take control of improving our health one meal, workout, moment at a time.

I’m not here to preach. I’m not here to convert.

I’m here to say we can all find something more to live for outside of diet and workouts. For me that includes my faith in God, but I hope everyone knows they can find something more to live for and fulfill them.

Eat well. Stay active.

AND

Have Fun. Smile. Laugh. Love.

Faith. Fitness. Fun.

• What would you say is your blog’s mission statement? I challenge you to write your own post sharing it!
• Just because I’m curious: Do you read FFF as “triple F” or “F-F-F”??