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U.S. Postal Service unveils Dr. Maya Angelou Forever stamp.
A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
– Maya Angelou
Reading inspires writing, as all writers know. As I was looking for inspiration, I came across and fell in love with Dr. Angelou’s quote. It answers the question gyrating in my head as I open my blog, craving to write but with no subject in mind: Should I be writing when I don’t really have anything to say?
I began online writing with articles on nutrition and fitness when I was a circuit trainer and studying nutrition science. I wanted to share insights and be a catalyst for change to help people make better choices. When I rejoined the corporate world, I began writing industry-specific articles to share expertise and my perspective on trends. I felt if I was going to write, I needed to motivate, address issues or be informative. Blogging became my guilty pleasure.
When I tell people I blog, they ask if I’m making money doing it. When I tap into resources to learn how to be a better blogger, I’m overwhelmed by the number of articles on learning SEO, driving up stats and building a following. So it begs the question, do I need a purpose? What am I feeling guilty about?
Just like a knitter interconnects loops of yarn, a gardener arranges plants in alignment and a cook discovers unique blends of flavors, I like to orchestrate words that form a melody. It makes my heart sing. When I write, it’s because I have a song.
Gail's Blog 
I think one’s passion should not be about money, unless you are lucky enough to have a job you are passionate about. I have had careers that I was passionate about, and some that were just about money – they seem to pay less the more passionate you are. I am more passionate about my volunteer work than I was ever in a paid job.
When writing poetry became a ritual of sending poems out to the world to be published, I found it tedious and it lost some of the joy it held for me.
Writing your song is all that is important!!
A writer is a person who writes. You do it very well and bring pleasure to others, I think that is enough.
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Thanks, Ro. I’m curious what triggered you to send your poems out for publication and why you don’t go back to writing poetry just for yourself. Regain the joy!
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Lovely Gail – it’s a wonderful quote from a very wise woman and I love how you brought it full circle to your writing.
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Thanks, Andrea!
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