It has been about two years since I last wrote a blog entry. Two years ago I also started residency so that played the largest role in stopping. But also about 5 years ago personal blogs faded out of popular culture, evolving into specialized niche based blogs for entertainment or esoteric topics. Occasionally, a high school student will start a travel blog nowadays to share with their friends, family, and grandparents. But this year I plan to restart blogging for several reasons.
The first is that, when I did blog regularly, I noticed that my writing speed, quality, and storytelling abilities grew at an exponential rate. That muscle has atrophied in residency, but it was so refreshing to be able to share stories of beauty that normally would be forgotten in my own memory.
The second is for my own personal reflections and edification. Through every stage of life, especially in our increasingly contentious world, the temptation of cynicism and hardening of the heart is endemic in our communities. But only through the centering practices that bring our attention back to beauty, goodness, and truth, does the human spirit find refreshed vitality and hope. I hope to start writing again to instill hope into the public sphere both locally and beyond.
Lastly, I hope to blog for advocacy goals as well, to bring light and ask questions on issues that are ignored or hidden from public discourse. Writing is powerful, but a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It has the power to share ideas that can change the course of history. It can share ideas that hurt and help our fellow man. I hope to use writing to call others into a spirit of reflection.
Sincerely,
Nehushtan
