December 3 Article. What’s an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious’d and reference throughout the year.
I think that this might be the most challenging topic of the whole series because I am an avid reader. It’s one of “my things”. I like all types of (primarily non-fiction) writing – books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc.
Blogging is still a relatively new field for me, so I love to read the insights of those who have much more established blogs. (“Success leaves clues” is one of my favorite quotes.) That’s why my favorite article/post is from Seth Godin. His blog is simply wonderful. He has the ability to cover in one (usually short) post what takes me days (if not more!) to wrap my brain around.
Blogging has been really great in so many ways. However, I had no idea what I was getting into when I switched my website over to the blog format. (I just thought, “Yay! I don’t have to wait on my computer programmer husband to update my website anymore!) For the record: the good has definitely outweighed the bad. The main thing that bugs me though is that there is so much DRAMA in the blogosphere. If you know me personally, you know that is SO not my thing. (“No More Drama” was my life theme before it was a Mary J. Blige song.) My husband calls me Pollyanna, because I expect the best from people…especially moms for some reason. So, when mom bloggers say or do hurtful things to one another, I am genuinely shocked…each time.
Seth’s blog post Drama, my favorite article of the year, helped me to put it all in perspective. Basically, he writes about how people create drama to get attention. The line that stood out the most to me was this one: “Paying attention, though, is not the same as buying or respecting.” Yes, the old saying “the squeaky wheel gets oiled” is true, but does it get respect? Maybe that is the better question. (Oh yes, respect in interactions is very important to me.) Whether you blog or not, you should read this post. Drama is definitely not just in the blogosphere…it is offline as well as online.
In any event, Seth Godin’s blog is filled with many amazing posts/articles/whatever you want to call them. Sometimes I agree with him. Sometimes I don’t. Either way, I always leave his site contemplating the topic of the day. I just love the way his mind works. If I were a stalker-type chick, forget the People’s Sexiest Men Alive list…I would be stalking Seth Godin! Fortunately for him (and me), I am not.
Your turn: What was your favorite article of 2009?