I really feel as though I need to clear something up in my space. I think a lot of times people misinterpret what I am trying to convey in my writings and through my blog posts. A lot of times my inner processing and desire to focus on gratitude gets interpreted to others as pride. Please understand that a blog post is really only a snippet of my reality and an expression of my thoughts and feelings at that moment in time. I believe that life is always changing and I am aware that what I think, feel or believe at one point in my life might change at another. In fact, I have seen that many times in my past. I believe in staying open-minded and being watchful of prideful thoughts and not believing that just because something works for me, that it is what everyone should be doing.
Please understand this. I am in no way telling anyone to be like me. I am simply being me and living my life in a way that brings me happiness in my corner of the world. The only inspiration that you should derive from my space is the desire to live your life your way and in a way that brings you happiness. We all have our different beliefs, hobbies, choices, lifestyles etc. We are not meant to follow others and become imitators of others’ lives. We are each meant to be our unique and individual selves and bring our own light into the world.
That said, there are of course things that we have in common with others and ways that we can relate to others too. We may have certain hobbies, beliefs or lifestyles that are similar to others and so we can make connections with like-minded people. That is one of the most beautiful things in life! The ability to be able to connect with others and share in our human experiences. Though it feels so nice to be able to share our similar beliefs and ways of living with others, what we should ultimately be working on is finding that connection with everyone we meet (even those who we do not seem to have anything in common with) by looking deeply and seeing that we are all really the same. By relinquishing our judgements and seeing past our perceived differences and accepting each other, as we know that others are really just a reflection of and an extension of ourselves.
So that is my big problem with blogging, is that so often people come along and misinterpret what I am saying. Perhaps they are not truly reading it or feeling it with their heart, or perhaps they just like to judge and form opinions on others who may choose to live differently than them. I have even many times questioned myself, wondering if perhaps somehow I am coming off in a very negative way to others and that perhaps I should just keep my blog life to myself. Yet having searched inside my heart, I really do not believe that this is true. I am always very cautious of my words and of what I post and most of what I post is simply nourishment for my soul as I reflect upon my own life and my own mind. This is not meant to be boastful at all, but to be an exercise for my own soul. If you choose to come here and read my writings, you have chosen to do so of your own free will. I have not told you to read it or made you enter into my life. You have chosen to do so for reasons personal to yourself.
I only hope that if you take anything from my blog that you find a desire inside of yourself to discover who you really are and what you really want for your life, even if – and especially if– that is different than the way that I am living. I hope that we can all learn to accept each other despite our differences and that we can be mindful of the power behind our words and or actions toward each other. (See this post; Words). I hope that we can see past religion, race, and/or whatever labels that we put on ourselves to the real person, the real spirit that lies within and feel a true sense of connectedness.
Live. Learn. Love. Eat. 
Bravo!
IMHO life is all about balance… and the choices you make for yourself and your family to keep that balance…
Just keep doing what you do best… being Tiffany…let the others do what they do best..let it be..
Peace
Denise in TN
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You are beautiful, inside and out. This is your space and you should never have to explain yourself in it. Like you said we all have a choice whether we come here or not. I personally love coming here. When I do I find inspiration, a like minded mama and family and woman who is on a path of self discovery (like myself) and enjoys sharing that journey with us.
Thank you for being you 🙂
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Thanks Kim! I do think it is kind of weird that I feel as though I have to explain myself. I guess I just want to keep the peace.
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I admire that you are able to put these thoughts down in writing and post them on your blog. Sometimes these thoughts are so hard to articulate! And like you said, thoughts, feelings and beliefs can change over time. I used to keep a private journal, but once I started blogging I stopped journaling. The thing is, though, the things I wrote in my private journal were completely different than the things I blog about. But it’s like I didn’t really have time for both. Which is too bad, because private journaling can really be therapeutic. Often I hesitate to share my raw feelings and thoughts about things because like you said, many people are quick to judge. I don’t like feeling like I have to defend myself. Actually I find this more of a “problem” on facebook rather than on my blog, since I post more snippets of thoughts on facebook. And then I find myself wondering – why is it that *I* have to defend my thoughts? Why is it that *I* have to filter what I write on facebook, my blog, etc. just because I’m afraid of what these “bullies” might say about it….. I guess this is a reply to both this and your previous blogpost 🙂
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Queen Honey B … that’ is one of the reason’s why I’m slowly coming away from Face Book… its all negativity….and its most time its from folks I know! .
The way I feel about posting on someone else’s FB page or blog is …its much like walking into their living room… The person has invited me in to their personal space and I should treat them like I would if I was really sitting on their couch..
With respect … opinions may differ ….but you should always respect another’s person space even if’son the interwebs or in real life…
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Dang girl, I had to go back and read the last blog to see if I missed something…nope. I guess I am just a weird hippie too! I want to see more positiveness in myself and my family…the world is full of sarcasm and negativity. Love you for seeing the good!
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Why do you even care what others think? What they think does not affect what you feel or who you are. Try to be like a duck and let the rain roll off your back. 🙂 its s waste of time and energy to get people to understand you when they don’t want to in the first place. Just be
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I still absolutely don’t get how anyone sees your blog as prideful or boastful. It’s a beautiful look at your life and your perspective, and never once do you use a condescending, lecturing, or holier-than-thou tone. You’re awesome, keep on doing what is right for you and what makes you happy!
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Hi Tiffany,
Greetings from England. I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago when I was searching online for vegan recipes. Turns out, I really enjoyed not only your creative and easy recipes, but your blog commentary as well. I was sorry to see that you had recently decided to suspend further blogs due to the ridiculous judgement of others. Congratulations on the book – do you ship to England!?!
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