One year ago today, with heart pounding (because I had no idea what I was doing), I hit the ‘Publish’ button and posted my first ever blog entry – Serenity Beckons.
Now, I look back on the journey I’ve undertaken and feel proud that I took that first step to reach out to a wider audience. For many years previously, I’d published a garden column in our town’s monthly newsletter. I’d never followed any blogs and had an inaccurate point of view about what they were, thinking they were basically me-me-me showcases. How wrong I was. Yes, I can post my photos and writing, then receive generous feedback. What I didn’t realize is what I would receive by visiting your blogs. On WordPress, I found an incredible community of supportive, like-minded folks whose points of view and wisdom added so much to my daily life, I was amazed and hooked!
I am reluctant to admit how much time I can spend in a day (especially rainy days) reading and responding to your posts and comments (however, my family will tell you)! I am drinking in all your creativity, your hearts and souls seeking expression. You are beautiful! I feel full to the brim, eating from your buffet. Drunk, intoxicated with the sheer headiness of it all.
Am I binging? Sometimes I think so. I have to remind myself to pull back from the buffet, take some time to give back to you all, that my own soul as well needs to add to this buffet. It’s potluck after all, here on WordPress – a smorgasbord beyond belief! I’m so grateful to have found this outlet and inlet, this community of talent, reflections of the world from the eyes and hearts of dozens. Each has so much to offer and I know I cannot see it all. I know that I will miss posts and must pick and choose from thousands, which is tough to do!
So in love and appreciation, I salute you, fellow bloggers on this, my first blogiversary. I look forward to our continued journey together.
Eliza Waters 
What a lovely post.
Thank *you*, Eilza, for sharing your beautiful garden and wonderful writing with us. You are a teacher as well! So thank you for your input, support and comments.
And congratulations!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Sharon. Your blog always inspires me. You have such a great eye for the beauty in a landscape. 🙂
Happy blogiversary to you, Eliza!
I too have been astonished at the extraordinary community that I’ve found here. While my current blog was started in order to share my photos and to discover other photographers, it turns out that the Universe had a bigger vision. I was astonished at finding so many fellow travelers on the path for spiritual growth. And when I didn’t manage to find them, they found me.
Thank you for your blog! It’s a gift that I so appreciate.
Thank you kindly! Your friendship is one of the special gifts that blogging has brought me. Hugs!
You bring a lot Eliza!!! 🙂 I love your posts dearly! 🙂 And your comments are also always so beautiful! 🙂 I am so so happy that you are here! 🙂 Thank you! 🙂
Kisses & hugs, Trini! 🙂
Happy blogging birthday!!!! I am very grateful that you are here too – I love your blogs – I am so far behind but hoping to get back into the blog world shortly – I especially wanted to comment on the being in the present moment post the other day but by the time I’d got home from work another day had gone and so it is x it helped me though your blog I needed it right then x And thank you always for your lovely supportive comments on my blog! Sophie xx
Mutual love! xo
Happy blogiversary and thank you for this wonderful post! 🙂
🙂 🙂
Yes, a very lovely post, Eliza. I know I’m happy you decided to take this journey. What you’ve contributed over the last year has been very rewarding.
Beauty…for the eye and mind. 🙂
Oh, Michael, you are so kind! xo
I’m very new to your blog, Eliza, but agree with comments above. I so agree about discovering something wonderful in the process of writing a blog….all the other bloggers. I feel as though I’ve found my tribe. Looking forward to many more beautiful posts from you.
Thanks – I like that: it is like I’ve found my tribe!
Wonderful and happy blogsphere anniversary!
Thank you!
Happy Blogiversary Eliza! I’m glad I found you..
Thanks. Dor. The feelings are mutual 🙂
Happy blogversary Eliza, I’m thankful to have you as a part of my WordPress community! ❤
Thanks, Jewels! 🙂 ❤
Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Your blogs are always a treat to read–keep going!
Thank you, Ellen, I appreciate your kindness!
Happy Blogiversity. I love reading your blog and seeing all the wonders which are in our backyard. Keep it up you are inspiring and I look forward to many more interesting words and pictures from you.
Thank you so much, Carole. I hope you are enjoying the gorgeous weather we’ve been having!
You are just such a beautiful person. Eliza.
Aw, thanks. Blessings, friend!
Love that strawberry! Here’s wishing you many more fabulous years of blogging.
Thanks so much, Fi. I look forward to sharing them with you and all. 🙂
You’re one of my favorite bloggers. Keep on bloggin! 🐸
Thank you so much for sharing that! 🙂
I love this post and can relate very much. I am somewhat new here, and have had a slow start, but just a few months ago have taken more time to write, write write as I share my new experience with my very first urban garden, homeschooling my 2 kids and my deep love and spiritual sacred heart for nature. As a writer blogging is a wonderful outlet for me, it gives me a space to pour out those words that are constantly wanting to be released. I am sure that you, yourself as a writer can relate to that. I understand the hypnosis that it all can be, reading other peoples’ work and soaking in the words of others, it is a very uplifting and though provoking experience. Moderation is key, and I have had to give myself a bit of a nudge to step away and create moderation with it all. Anyways, you have a new follower and I love what you have to say. Much love and peace to you.
Thanks so much for your visit and glad to have another fellow nature sister on board. Hope you enjoy the ride!
Looking forward to it! 🙂 !!!!!
Eliza, I’m a little late to the party… and congratulations on your first year in the blogosphere. Like you, I had misconceptions also before I started, and like you, I’ve come to profoundly appreciate the collaboratively created abundance we can share with one another on-line.