I am the vine, you are
the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because
apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (NRSV)
This blog, Faithful in Health, has been little more than the
germ of an idea for far too long now. Although, I wish that statement would be
followed by the assertion, “But now, I’m ready to roll!” it is not—for the
reasons below.
In trying to answer a simple and straightforward question
asked via social media by a friend this morning—which company do I use when
sourcing certain key natural ingredients—I found myself writing a lengthy
reply…only to have it vanish right before I was ready to post it, of course.
I write slowly as a matter of course for several reasons.
1. I
like to have a bit of knowledge before I speak. This sounds easy enough, but
when applied to something as time-consuming as maintaining a blog, one can get
bogged down very quickly.
2. To
have that background knowledge, I must first conduct the necessary research.
Sounds simple enough, right? If the premise of this blog is a
blend of two areas of interest—faith (in God) and health (natural, holistic)—how
difficult can the writing be? Ha, if you only knew the lengths to which some of
us on the planet over-think anything before opening our mouths to share our
opinions as ones that could possibly be valid.
Case in point, over the past several years I’ve transitioned
from one willing (and eager) to eat the Standard American Diet on a regular
basis—basically, to use much-processed foods to fuel this body from one task to
the next—to one far more discerning, who better understands the power of real,
whole foods to fuel this body for the moment and for the long term.
A few epiphanies along the way, generally followed by
flurries of intense learning / research, have solidified this outlook. Then,
just about when I feel enthusiastic enough to share my knowledge something
happens to derail the process.
3. One
tenet of my writing is that it is sincere, honest, even bald. Since I desire to
know the Whys behind just about any topic worthy of discussion, you will NOT
find clickbait on this site. (At least not written by me. I expect it to be the
basis of peripheral advertisements which are necessary, and are not necessarily
evil. Blogging is not free.)
3a. Ever notice the plethora of numbers-based titles around
you? “Six reasons why…,” “Ten methods of…,” and “21 uses for…” crowd
advertisements, pop-up windows, and marginalia. Ever since I “discovered”
blogging, oh, about eight years ago (in late 2008, early 2009, I’ve been
inundated with advice urging me to write such titles. They create curiosity and
practically promise quick learning opportunities; however, they do not delve
into the deeper reasons, the Whys—the meat of any topic. (Ha! I just noticed
that, how meat is embedded into our cultural lexicon as being the important
part of any meal. It needn’t be, I’ve learned. But, that’s another topic for
another day.)
3b. Even those without clickbait, I’m talking about the good,
informative, well-written blogs—there are several out there that I have found,
many I have yet to find—are written, generally, for readers in a rush (see item
#4, below). As such, each provides information on a very specific, focused
topic. Since such focus leaves out much important information, links are
provided to take readers to related information…and one gets as endlessly lost
as with the clickbait-type articles.
Such titles are, in my opinion, often flags for click-bait.
These non-substantive articles lure readers into what may turn into hours of
pursuing one topic after another, endlessly lured on—until the phone rings or
one glances at the clock, only to rue the time now lost.
4.
To
include reasoning requires length, yet readers haven’t time (or inclination)
for length.
This is my ever-circular conundrum: the desire to be concise
without forfeiting substance. In the early 21st Century society
appears driven by a 140-character mentality. We want knowledge quickly. Yet, we
also want knowledge upon which we can rely. To know which sources to trust
requires the background knowledge of what drives each source. That background
knowledge is more than a 140-character storehouse of information.
5.
Reasoning
requires research.
Research, done as I wish to have it done, requires an
investment of time, energy, thought, and finances. If I’m to present an
authoritative opinion on any topic, I need to have a. found the information, b.
taken thorough notes, including resource citations, c. purchased the
ingredients for each recipe—which includes trying similar ingredients from
multiple sources and trying each of
these, d. followed recipes, made the products and tried them, e. again, making copious notes, f. identified or
developed my favored recipe(s)—noting specifics of brands/types of ingredients
used, and g. reached a point from which I felt comfortable writing
authoritatively on the topic.
6.
Case-in-point:
my friend’s question. She asked about my source for Essential Oils. I shared
the name of the company. She asked for contact information and I went in search
of that referral link I have…somewhere, that would garner her a discount on her
first purchase and award me a credit for future use. In the process…
In the process of searching (Yes, it would help to have a
better filing system; note to self duly created.), In the process of searching
I stumbled across a blog that included all that I would wish to include. The
author has done the research, tested her recipes on family (to whom she gives credit),
and thoughtful, thorough posts about the topic. Thank you, thank you Ms.
Rebecca of the blog A Beautiful Ruckus <dot> com!
Her 2014 post comparing Essential Oils offered by five
different companies, found here, is excellent! Well written and
thoughtfully presented, it includes not only information I had already found
but also so much more. It reminded me of why I have been slow to write and why,
if friends are going to continue to ask me for resources, I need to educate
myself—sooner rather than later.
The best result of that experience was being able to give my
friend good information. Secondly, it goaded me into writing this…and thinking
about all those projects I have been meaning to do but which I’ve allowed
myself to postpone. Finally, it gave me the push I needed to follow through
with just one of those threads I’ve been meaning to chase. (Stay tuned for
adventures in home crafted shampooing!)
I firmly believe that the Lord placed us on this earth with the
tools necessary to survive and thrive. Having been raised in the “living better
through chemistry” years, though, I’ve bought into much misinformation (some
deliberate), along with many others. Raised by an organic gardener as well as a
scientist, with an emphasis on social justice and less on church sermons than
church community, this inquiring mind has come to trust more deeply in Him than
ever before, and to appreciate the diversity of resources with which He
provided all living creatures.
Blessings,
Cynthia
29 November 2016
