A Dialogue

Here's the deal. I'm having a bit of writer's block this week. Frankly, I'm amazed it hasn't happened before, given that I've been posting something almost every day since the beginning of June. It's a feeling I hate.

So, if you'll indulge me, I'll open myself up for a minute. I want this blog to be a success. I want to write something that matters, something that entertains, something that educates, something that resonates with you. When I get that feeling that I don't know what to write about, almost every time, it comes to me. Somehow, magically, it just works. Most of the time.

Photo from infobarrel.com

But sometimes it does get hard. Sometimes all I want to do is just point you to another post that I thought was funny or important or had something of value, but may have been overlooked when it was posted. It sounds a little cocky, but I honestly believe there's a lot of good stuff here, some of which nobody has discovered because not everyone has been reading from the beginning.

And that's okay. There's always time for that. But in the meantime, in the here and now, I try hard to keep you entertained on a regular basis ... or at least hold your attention briefly between cups of coffee. One thing I've tried to emphasize since I started this blog, and which has worked with varying degrees of success, is that I want MLWP to give rise to an online community of people that can talk with each other, share ideas, and learn from each other.

So I'll say it again:  I want to hear from you. I want to know what you want to read about. I want to know what stories or issues or questions you have, about parenting or family or any facet of life, really. While the focus of the blog is usually parenting and family issues, all of you are wonderfully unique individuals with a lot to contribute beyond that. So tell us about anything you think merits discussion, anything that you feel is important enough to share, whether it be in the form of comments or via a guest post, which I always welcome.

In another effort to stimulate people's minds and get a dialogue going, here's what I want to do. Today's post by my favorite blogger, Single Dad Laughing, really resonated with me, and you can guess why just by reading the title: "I'm Christian, Unless You're Gay."

What I'd like to try, and not just because I have a bit of writer's block, but because I think it would be really cool, is this: I'd like you to read his post. Then I'd like to know what you think about it, and no, you don't have to agree with what you think my opinion will be.

As long as they are respectfully put, I will listen to the opinions of anyone and everyone whether I share their views or not. I will engage with people who want to have a respectful conversation.  Because, as I pointed out when I discussed bullying and suicide, this is a subject worth talking about. It's more complex than the title suggests, too.

And we as a society won't get anywhere if we can't discuss the things that may divide us, if we can't at least talk and try to cross the barriers we put around ourselves when it comes to anything different, anything possibly confrontational, anything difficult.

Photo from nist.gov

One thing that really bothers me is when people avoid subjects they consider uncomfortable, because then they're denying themselves opportunity to be challenged, to grow, or maybe even just to make a good connection with someone whether they agree about things or not.

Back to my plan. What I'd love, aside from general comments as usual, is if this resonated with you too, no matter what you may think about it, if you feel you have something important you'd like to say on this subject, please send it to us at mylifewithpie@gmail.com. And I will publish your thoughts. I reserve the right to do minor surface editing before publication if necessary, but I will not edit your opinion.

I think it would be really cool to feature mini-posts from you, our awesome readers, in reaction to this article. Depending on the level of response, if any, I may even publish multiple mini-posts each day.

If this works, and you actually write to me, I may start doing this from time to time, putting an idea out there and inviting your feedback in actual posts rather than just comments. So throw me a bone here, people!  I know we're all insanely busy, but if you get a moment, please read. Discuss. Talk to me. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Guess I don't have writer's block anymore, huh. ;)