Welcome: An Introduction

Sharing the insights I discover as I explore and experience the mystery that is our reality. Join me in my journey and share yours.




Thursday, October 13, 2011

This Day a Year Ago My Journey Began

Courtesy of Google Images



This day a year ago I published my first post for this blog. You can read it here:  http://ascendingthehills.blogspot.com/2010/10/experiencing-god.html      It was about experiencing God in our everyday moments. I had been writing for some time at that point, but had only been sharing my articles with a select few. Part of that reason was because much of what I share has a very personal nature to it. It has to do with my individual beliefs and approaches. The perspectives that lead me to the paths I choose to tread. To open that up to others, strangers even, leaves me vulnerable in a sense. I was a bit intimated at first to share my thoughts, my spiritual revelations, my questions and quandaries here with an audience that is largely unknown.

I have been pleasantly surprised at the reactions I have gotten from readers and I feel a genuine gratitude towards the encouragement and receptive nature of everyone that comes and visits and takes the time to comment. Thank you! You have made it a joy to share my personal reflections and to receive yours. I value them immensely.


I am looking forward to my blog's second year and hope that all of you are as well. I am planning on changing the focus a little. Being a Christian, I began this blog with a lot  of articles concerning my Christian faith, concentrating on the Scriptures and how we can apply them to our lives. I still plan very much on discussing my faith and the Scriptures, though, I have found that much of my own personal journey is becoming much more spiritual. I have found a lot of peace and direction through the practice of contemplative prayer (Christian meditation) and want to focus a lot of my articles in the future on the Christian mystics, what they experienced, and what they have to offer us in their wisdom.

I also plan on exploring the paths of different mystics ascribing to the other wisdom traditions (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.) and seeing if there are parallels to those of the Christian mystics. As my faith's journey progresses, the more I meditate, the more I read Scriptures and the sacred writings from other religions, I am starting to see a beautiful thread of truth that God has woven among all of humanity's traditions. I am beginning to realize just how big God is and want to share some of these revelations here with all of you.

Book reviews and podcast interviews with the authors of some of the books I review are elements I began to add in the latter portion of this year and I am looking forward to only increasing the number of reviews and interviews I publish. I will also be conducting a series of interviews with individuals I feel have interesting and inspiring stories to share. Individuals that might be experiencing God in unique ways, or having challenges to their faith and can share with us how they overcome such challenges.

Through this journey I've had the pleasure of coming into contact with bloggers that have inspired me with their encouraging posts. Travel bloggers who have taken me to places I will most likely never go. Photographers that have captured my breath for moments as I've been lost in their amazing images, many of which still remain imprinted in the corridors of my mind, an amazing tapestry to behold! ;) I have been inspired, encouraged, informed and have gone to places beyond where I would have imagined. It has been a great journey so far!  I would like to thank my friends at Blogplicity specifically, for they have always been there when I've had technical questions or needed a bit of encouragement. My experience as a blogger would not be the same if not for all of you.

I look forward to many years of blogging and I hope all of you will continue to come back again and again, leaving when you go, your amazing insights and thoughts. Thank you for joining me on my journey and I look forward to sharing it all with you as it continues to unfold.

~Blessings in Christ


18 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary, Jessica! :)
    I have loved getting to know you through your wonderful writing and am so looking forward to journeying with you in the year to come. You are an inspiration!
    God bless you!

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  2. Aww Jessica, I'm so glad that you've found so much enjoyment sharing as it can be so daunting to put yourself out there. I've enjoyed sharing the journey with you. I may not always comment but I always read xoxox

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  3. Thank you Martha! It's been a pleasure in getting to know you as well..and you blog! I'm blessed that you take the time to come here and leave your thoughts. Thank you! :)

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  4. SJ...you have been a great source of encouragement and information..thank you! I enjoy sharing my journey with you :) ~blessings

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  5. You are an expressive and articulate writer.

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  6. Thanks Brad...I look forward to more of your thoughts on my future posts :) I appreciate you stopping by! :)

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  7. Happy first anniversary,Jessica....wishing u love and success in everything u do..always.

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  8. Congratulations jessica! I read this article. Its a beautiful gratitude towards ur buddies. Keep it up!!

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  9. Congrats Jessica! You have inspired and helped a lot of people with your words. Please continue the journey!

    http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2011/10/lyric-fire-look-at-my-fabulous-life-episode-8-.html

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  10. Congratulations Jessica... I have enjoyed this journey with you an look forward to many more

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  11. Hi Jessica:
    Congrats on writing a years worth of blog columns. An amazing feat. I know when I reached my year point back in May, I was both excited and relieved because I after starting and stopping two ENTIRELY different blogs and losing interest after about six or or seven months, I finally tapped into something I could do for the long haul.

    I've VERY much enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your spiritual growth as you've been writing. Look forward to another years worth as well.
    --
    Chris

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  12. Happy Blogaversary and congratulations.Best wishes and we certainly look forward to read your blogs more.

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  13. Congrats Jessica. It has been wonderful to be part of your journey. I have been strengthen, sustained and renewed by reading some of your posts.

    Heres to the journey this far.

    God bless and take care.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  14. Jessica, you have put a lot of heart into your blog and it shows. You should be so proud in what you have developed :) I always enjoy my visits here and although I sometimes find myself at loss for words to comment, I read your content. I look forward to another great year for you!

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  15. Jess, your blog is so reflective of your own search and I love your openness to all spiritual experiences...Wishing you many blessings and a lot of love along your journey...

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  16. Happy anniversary to both you and your blog. Love what you say here, always leaves me pondering, often issues i've not considered before, and it sounds like you are going to be exploring new interesting subjects which sure appeal to me.

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