Four years down the road

A small milestone went quietly by a few weeks ago. The other Sean commented at work the other day that it had been over four years since we started blogging. Three of us started writing at about the same time, and I think it has been a great exercise and outlet for all of us.

I looked up my first post and found it was written on August 4th of 2007. In that first post I mentioned a couple of missions for the blog. More than anything, I wanted to get back into the habit of writing again. I had kept journals sporadically since I was in my 20's, and I had found clarity and comfort in writing.

When I started the blog, I had just returned from a week-long bike ride around Montana, Canada, and Glacier National Park. As I wrote back in 2007,

I find that my head is clearer when I am away from home and on my bike. At times it seems even my vision is clearer. I’ve had no significant epiphanies while riding, but they often seem like they are just over the next hill.

And this is where the name of the blog came from. I wanted to bring the peace that I found while riding back home with me. To find clarity, inspiration and beauty in my daily life, not just when I am away and unburdened.

Much has changed in the past four years. The end of my marriage made me question myself more than ever. There were more navel-gazing posts as I sought to find the answers I would never be given. I have tried to become a better version of myself, and the pursuit of clarity continues.

With the move to San Diego, the blog has also become a place where my friends and family in Washington can check in and see what is going on in my life. I have never been good at calling or sending the random email to stay in touch, so this is where I tell my story. But I haven't been very good at that lately either, and I would like to get back to mixing in pieces of my daily life. I would like to get back to paying attention to the extraordinary in the mundane.

Motivation and creativity peaks and troughs. Sometimes the writing is forced, and the quality ebbs and flows as well (sorry 'bout that). But the habit of this blog, and the thought that there are a few people out there expecting a post, has kept me writing.

And there are moments when I feel like I am reaching that goal I set at the beginning - brief moments of clarity in my fog of thoughts. Among the rambling and brain emptying, there are some posts I am proud of. And the blog gave me the strength to quiet my inner critic long enough to get a novel down on paper.

So, thank you for continuing to stop by, for whatever reason. You have helped me to keep going. I still promise no answers, only the viewpoint from an infrequent rider.