First Ones Are Always the Hardest

Okay, let's cut to the chase: I'll be the first one to admit that setting up a blog is an exercise in self-indulgence and narcissism.

Why would anyone be interested in reading the ramblings of a perfect stranger?

Clearly, I must think very highly of myself to believe that anyone would.  I must have fascinating observations on the world that brings unique, exciting perspectives to the unwashed masses, bringing my clever and clearly remarkable insights to cyberspace in a way that will excite a new generation of readers.

My views on on politics or religion or sports or the latest scandal that will excite, amuse, annoy, or otherwise challenge even the most callous blogosphere veteran.

What's more, I will bring to this arena something that isn't accomplished often, a sense of perspective that can only come from a critical reading of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Additionally, my life must be an endless array of adventures and challenges that will inspire readers to achieve great things, to succeed in the mightiest of tasks, to soar into the annals of mystery and redemption, to bring forth best from their inner selves.

Uh huh... well, maybe that's what I'd like to think.  And let's face it: anyone who has bothered to put themselves out there, to blog about the world- whether it be about the grandest of topics or the minutest of moments- has a desire to have others read what they've written and gone, "oh, that's a great point.  I hadn't thought of it that way before" or, at the very least, "This guy is completely full of shit."

The worst possible reaction to get from a blog post is to receive no reaction at all, to see your words fall on deaf ears, to garner indifference.  Indignation is a veritable joy for a blogger because even in a reader's hostility, you can provoke something as primal as anger or hate, a far better fate than a shrug or a passing nod.  So I'll admit it: this first post is a confessional, an admission that what I most want is to be heard.  All of the other stuff- making a difference, social change, inspiring Jesus light & wonderment- that stuff can come later.  For now, let's start the new year right and just put it out there, overcoming fear and allowing myself the chance to fail in front of the entire internet.

One last note:  the name of this blog comes from Lao Tzu, Taoist dreamer and philosopher.  But I could just as easily have quoted Neil Peart, when he wrote the lyric "The point of the journey is not to arrive."  You'll see what means in future posts.  For now, I'll just say this: let's not just embrace 2016.  Let's sidle up to it and whisper sweet nothings in its ear.  We may not know how it will react to this, but it sure will make us more accepting of what it has in store for us.