The journey here wasn't easy but there's not a thing I'd change some things failed to please me but in hindsight, my soul assuaged No one can pave the way for you or prepare you for the tempests you load your boat, then sail through under blue skies and waters freshest If, on your route, you meet a mate your boatload will need adjusting to make room for betiding postdate and to staunch future fussing May good tidings keep your rudder sane and may the winds propel your sails nothing in life is ever in vain you're a life sailor giving birth to travails go with the wind but do the work it entails © 2022 SelmaMartin
Thanks so much for being here, dear friends. Your readership and
support has made all the difference for me.
At the start of 2017, I set sail alone on a daunting expedition to explore beyond the
waters of my comfortable world. I want to tell you about my journey so far.
– In February of that year, I joined my first-ever writing contest
– Opened a Facebook account as a requirement for participating in the contest
– I started exploring Twitter– again, prompted by that contest
– I sent my first glider out into the world when I published my first WordPress
blog post. (Encouraged by the group).
–for a few weeks, the only people I interacted with on FB, Twitter, and my blog
were the lovely participants of that contest. But only for a few weeks. Eventually,
people went their separate ways as the novelty waned. I heard crickets but kept
strumming on my computer keys.
–If someone visited, I was unaware as I needed to learn how to check stats. All I
know is that I got no comments and no likes.
–A year later, I decided to up my game and opted for a self-hosted website.
I wanted to learn-as I-go, so I transferred myself — bad idea. Terrible! I broke
my website. I paid for a guided transfer and bought into everything they told me
I needed. It worked for a while until I broke it again.
–It wasn’t pleasant. Slowly, I told friends I ha website and
finally saw my number of followers increase to 24.
At the beginning of 2021, I opened to Instagram and heard a writer talk about a
fabulous, friendly community on WP. I looked them up and took part. That was
Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Challenge, where they’re crafting magic through prose
and poetry. Yay!
Exposing myself there, I happened on the dVerse Poet’s Pub and Sadje’s at Keep
It Alive Websites. Godsends– all of them.
Then Colleen mentioned NaPoWriMo, & I daringly entered. Phew! A game changer!
–I saw my 24 followers change to 25 and, for the first time, experienced the joy of
other bloggers talking to me through comments. I was elated!!
And now, 589 followers?! Goodness. Thanks so much.
You’ve made all the difference in my blogging life, and I’m forever grateful you’re
reading my words.
THANK YOU.
Happy Winter Solstice.
May your year-end celebrations be merry and bright.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
And please stay in the light.
PS about the carolers in the recording: Ric Pech’s Via Vocálité–Belize’s homegrown singers. And, may I add, Ric, the director, is a dear cousin? His grandma and my grandma were sisters.
So, if you want something familiar with a taste of Belize to add to your celebrations this year, I suggest this video.
Ric Pech’s Via Vocálité
Merry Christmas, and I wish you miracles.
- Homage to Dante: What Ails Thee, Trifler? - December 13, 2024
- Do The Southerlies Come For The Wicked Too? - December 12, 2024
- Dectina Refrain: Tinged Living Lessons - December 11, 2024
I love your posts! Amazing talent! <3
Aww, sweet DAP, Your comment put a smile on my face. You are so sweet. I appreciate. Merry Christmas, dear friend. I bless you. xoxo
I’m blessed because you chose to persist. Thanks for being you and showing up in the world with your beautiful words…and heart. Happy joyous, wordy, New Year!
Kathryn. I am blessed with you in my life. Thanks for being the inspirational human you are. I bless you. Always and forever. Merry Christmas. (and thank you…)
Lovely to hear you read your beautiful poem! May you days be hold and happy. Angels attend, <3
Angels all around me, indeed. You! So happy you listened… thrills me to know you did. Thank you, Annette. You are an amazing human. Love and blessings on this special time of the year. Happy Winter Solstice and Happy Christmas. May it be merry and bright.
Happy Holidays, Selma. You’ve made over five hundred people incredibly happy with your posts that come from your heart. I love how you’ve worked hard and found your niche.
Diane. You are precious. I am so glad you’re still a big part of my happy place. I adore to find you here leaving me comments. Stay as you are, my friend. Let me know if there ever is something I can help you with. I don’t see you on Twitter that often anymore. Hope all is well with you. Give me a holler too sometime (Twitter) Thanks for listening and commenting today. Merry Christmas. xoxo
Enjoy hearing you read your lovely poems! Merry Christmas!! 🎄
Tricia, lady– you are precious. I’m so happy you enjoyed listening. Thanks, this gives me some encouragement to stay the course. I bless you. Happy Christmas to you and your lovely family: may it be merry and bright. xoxo
💝
Merry Christmas, Selma…I enjoyed your poem and the musical video…Christmas IS the miracle!
Oh, yes, oh, yes,,, Christmas IS the miracle!
A prayer I want to share with you: May our hearts be quickened by love, and
may free will stir us to action so that spiritual conception can happen.
May we soon turn to our stillness within to allow the blessings to seep in.
Merry Christmas, Lynn. I bless you. xoxo
I loved reading about your writing journey Selma. More power to you my friend. Happy holidays to you. 🌺
Hey, Sadje. So nice of you to read all that. I’m so grateful to have you as part of my happy place. Thanks.
Sometimes I want to change things around but the fear of losing something holds me back. Anyway, I cannot go
fast in anything. Maybe one day I will be more daring and smarter. Thanks for your lovely comments. I bless you.
Happy Winter Solstice and Happy Christmas: may it be merry and bright. Blessings to you andyour family. xoxo
You’re so welcome my friend
I like & love about your writing journey Selma. I pray to god more Power to you my friend i enjoy recording & reading your so sweet poem . What a heart touching words use in poem.
Beautiful you sharing you life sail alon. You have talent ☺️
Happy Christmas, Selma!
Aww. Tears of joy 😂 thanks, Raj.
Really joy you! 👍I can’t believe it’s.
Happy 2023, Selma! I am glad i discovered your site this year! <3
Cheryl. Thanks so much for this. I feel the same. Happy I discovered your website. Christmas blessings befall you and May you have a wonderful New Year. XoXo
I’m happy you’re here Selma!
Sweet if you to say that, Conny. Thank you. I bless you. Merry Christmas AND Happy New Year
A beautiful reading Selma and lot’s of love to you this New Year! Such a beautiful blessing! ❣️