2011-02-24

The Soul of the Whole

I question every single idea for every post I've ever had for this blog.  Does it fit my theme of 'Scattered Joy'?  Is it appropriate?  Should I include more writing or fewer words?  Will it attract readers to my blog or turn people away?   Is it funny?  Or interesting?  And will anybody even care?!  These are the things I regularly agonize over.  But today, for this post, I know without a doubt I have got it right.  I am so excited to be sharing this with you, I'm near bursting with anticipation.   


But first, I need to give you a bit of back-fill.  My blog's title, "Scattered Joy" is a play on the quote "Scatter joy" by the American poet & essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.  That was the inspiration for my blog - to scatter the joy.  I don't care if my posts are crass, irreverent, serious, or soul-searching - as long as they're joyful.  That's my goal, and those who follow my blog regularly will know that sometimes I score, and sometimes I ricochet it off the post (anyone remember Glum Gloomy and Grim?).  Let's face it, I may be a glass-half-full kind of gal, but like everyone else, I have stresses and concerns that can cloud my days and darken my moods.  I've suffered my share of personal losses that knocked me flat and I've had to struggle to pull myself back up, grabbing tightly ahold of my personal philosophy of hope and love and beauty.  So when I discovered an essay by Emerson that expresses this philosophy far more eloquently than I ever could, I knew I had to share it with you.  Then, as I sat at my computer wondering how to incorporate it into my blog, I received an email containing a video that embodies Emerson's philosophy perfectly - the soul of the whole.  I know you're going to enjoy this!



The Over-Soul
By Ralph Waldo Emerson



We live in succession, in division, in parts, in particles. Meantime within man is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related, the eternal ONE. And this deep power in which we exist and whose beatitude is all accessible to us, is not only self-sufficing and perfect in every hour, but the act of seeing and the thing seen, the seer and the spectacle, the subject and the object, are one. We see the world piece by piece, as the sun, the moon, the animal, the tree; but the whole, of which these are shining parts, is the soul.



25 comments:

  1. I'm a new follower here from Social Parade party. I too have questions about my blog. Do I write too much? Not enough? Am I witty? Clever?

    I'd love for you to visit and return the favor!

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  2. Hello, just found your blog. I'm following from Follow Friday 40 and Over. Hope you can visit my blog.

    www.jamfiescreations1.blogspot.com

    Mary O

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  3. I just came by from the Over 40 blog hop...I think we all have so many questions about what we are doing, but that helps us improve and stretch ourselves! I loved that you were inspired by Emerson! have a fabulous weekend and stop by my blog any time!!

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  4. Hello,
    I'm a new follower from the Friday Hops. So nice to meet you.

    Dawn @ Mom-a-Logues
    http://www.mom-a-logues.blogspot.com

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  5. You know I think all of us worry about the same thing. Too much writing, and for me, maybe not enought crafting with pics, etc. But, I guess when we find those blogs like your Kara we enjoy your written word. Now subscribing to your blog and also a follower. Hope you'll come on by and visit me too.

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  6. I am a new follower! I think your header is adorable!

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  7. This is such an inspirational post, Kara. I just discovered you blog and I'm looking around here a bit more, if you don't mind:) I am now following you thanks to Social Parade on Friday, and it would be so nice if you could share the love back on my blog;)
    Also today we have the coolest blog hop there is... no rules just fun and would love you to join in with us at Boost My Blog Friday, where you can meet lots of friends and have a great time:) See you there!
    Happy Friday!

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  8. Great post and cute blog!
    I'm following from the blog hop.
    I'd love a follow back at www.mikaspantry.blogspot.com
    Thanks,
    Mika

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  9. I question mine too... I really enjoyed the video, you can't help but get caught up in it! Excellent choice for you blog!

    Stopping by from Social Parade on Friday Blog-Hop !!!!

    Anna, The Pilot's Wife
    http://www.pilotwife.blogspot.com

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  10. I am a new follower from the Over 40 Follow. I love your idea about scattered joy! Please come visit A Grateful Heart @ http;//www.pattihanan.com Have a joyful day!

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  11. Hi Kara, I enjoyed the read and feel kinda the same, we all have our days of mood swings and self destruction lol I will follow I like your writing. Have a great day!

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  12. I’m a new follower from “Follow Friday 40 and Older”, you’re site looks amazing and I’ll definitely be checking back often!! If you’re not already a follower I would love it if you followed me back!!
    Monica
    http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love the title of your blog & that your goal is to scatter joy! I'm now a new follower!

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  14. Hi, I'm from Java's Over 40 blog hop & I'm your latest follower #70 to be exact. Nice to meet you. I totally love your video. I kept saying OMG OMG... it was totally awesome. Thanks for sharing. Stop by if you get the chance, and maybe follow me? I have a meme on Monday's Music Moves Me. It's tons of fun. Come check us out!

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  15. Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my website something like that.

    With Regards!

    Nando's Menu

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  16. Hi Kara,
    I'm a new follower and visiting from the Over 40 Blog Hop. I love your attitude -- sharing joy is a great purpose. Everyone needs some of that. Here's a little funny coincidence -- my youngest daughter is a freshman in college and an English major. One of her friends started calling her "Emerson" after Ralph Waldo Emerson. She is an amazing writer (of course I'm biased) but she doesn't know it yet or hasn't accepted the fact yet.

    This post is long enough, sorry. Come visit my blog if you get the chance. Here's my link: http://bookendcrossing.blogspot.com/2011/02/follow-friday-february-25th.html

    Have a joyful weekend!

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  17. It is your blog. You are in command of what goes on it. Write and post things you want. Your followers and visitors will let you know how good a job you are doing.
    You are doing fine by the way. =)

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  18. Love the video...reminds me of Discovery's Planet Earth series--totally captivating!

    I enjoy visiting your blog, BTW.

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  19. I question everything I write as well. Which is probably why I don't write all that much.

    Following from Over 40

    Just Me Wyrdings

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  20. I guess we all blog with some trial and error. Was chatting with my husband and he asked me if I was going to include something, or if if itsn't in keeping with the nature of my blog.

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  21. loved to learn more about you in this post :) and thank you for subscribing to my personal blog. I am following from the account attached to my writing blog.

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  22. I guess we all blog with some trial and error. Was chatting with my husband and he asked me if I was going to include something, or if if itsn't in keeping with the nature of my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Kara,
    I'm a new follower and visiting from the Over 40 Blog Hop. I love your attitude -- sharing joy is a great purpose. Everyone needs some of that. Here's a little funny coincidence -- my youngest daughter is a freshman in college and an English major. One of her friends started calling her "Emerson" after Ralph Waldo Emerson. She is an amazing writer (of course I'm biased) but she doesn't know it yet or hasn't accepted the fact yet.

    This post is long enough, sorry. Come visit my blog if you get the chance. Here's my link: http://bookendcrossing.blogspot.com/2011/02/follow-friday-february-25th.html

    Have a joyful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi, I'm from Java's Over 40 blog hop & I'm your latest follower #70 to be exact. Nice to meet you. I totally love your video. I kept saying OMG OMG... it was totally awesome. Thanks for sharing. Stop by if you get the chance, and maybe follow me? I have a meme on Monday's Music Moves Me. It's tons of fun. Come check us out!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just came by from the Over 40 blog hop...I think we all have so many questions about what we are doing, but that helps us improve and stretch ourselves! I loved that you were inspired by Emerson! have a fabulous weekend and stop by my blog any time!!

    ReplyDelete