It is my opinion that no matter what you are writing, it is always a good idea to start in the beginning. In the case of this blog, I believe the beginning should include some background on me, and the title of this blog. I know that when I read anything, it is much easier to focus on the topic at hand if there are no extreneous thoughts and questions floating through my head. Thus, to enable you to focus on what I will be writing about over the next three months (and potentially longer), I will immediately answer two questions that may arrise when you read my blog: Who is Josh Yoder? and Why is this blog entitled "Forced Process?"
I am Josh Yoder, I grew up in an Amish-Mennonite community and attended a private Christian School for the first 10 years of my educational experience. My family moved to Colorado when I was 17, and I finished my last two years of highschool at home. I joined the Navy a year after I graduated, and have been in the Navy for nine years. My time at the University of Memphis will be spent earning a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of my degree, I will be commissioned as a Naval Officer and return to the fleet as a member of the Navy's Nurse Corps.
To this point I have never blogged. There are several reasons for this and I will try to explain them without unduly offending anyone. The first and probably most influential reason, is that I have a pretty significant fear of being misunderstood or worse, blatantly opposed. I am not so naive as to believe that everyone shares my viewpoint. However, I do not want to experience their derision and opposition in actuality. Secondly, I have always viewed the average blog as way of making those who feel small in society, feel more important. As if their rants, and raves posted in public forums such as this, somehow made them a more important part of society. In addition to these individuals, you have those who are too timid to take a stand physically on issues so they "blog" about it, in hopes of bringing about change through their "eloquent" words. Now at this point you are probably thinking that I sound hypocritical and ignorant, and that may be the case. Over the next few weeks/months I am sure that my eyes will be opened as I am compelled to enter the blogoshpere and experience for myself, for the first time, the reality of blogging. The third and final reason that has kept me from blogging is time. I am a firm believer in the fact that you will make time for whatever is important to you. So maybe blaming time or the lack thereof is inappropriate. However, simply put, I have found many things in life that I need/want to do, which prevent me from blogging. Ultimately, I do not want to blog.
This brings me to the answer for the second question: "Why is this blog entitled "Forced Process?" I originally wanted to title my blog "Random Rumblings" but it was already taken. So I brainstormed for a moment, grasping for a title that would be catchy, and yet symbolic of what this process is/will be for me. It was then that I realized that it is a process that I would not under ordinary circumstances endeavor to accomplish. However, since I have little choice in the matter (my participation or lack thereof will be directly reflected in my grade) it is "forced". I have no doubt that it will be a positive experience in some way (most opportunities to grow can be positive when viewed from the proper perspective) and that I will be a better person for it in the end. For the time being, it is an assignment, a means to an end, a responsibility that must be met. I hope that during the next three months, this process will reveal to me its usefulness and worth. Regardless, it will receive my best effort, otherwise I am wasting my time.
I am Josh Yoder, I grew up in an Amish-Mennonite community and attended a private Christian School for the first 10 years of my educational experience. My family moved to Colorado when I was 17, and I finished my last two years of highschool at home. I joined the Navy a year after I graduated, and have been in the Navy for nine years. My time at the University of Memphis will be spent earning a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of my degree, I will be commissioned as a Naval Officer and return to the fleet as a member of the Navy's Nurse Corps.
To this point I have never blogged. There are several reasons for this and I will try to explain them without unduly offending anyone. The first and probably most influential reason, is that I have a pretty significant fear of being misunderstood or worse, blatantly opposed. I am not so naive as to believe that everyone shares my viewpoint. However, I do not want to experience their derision and opposition in actuality. Secondly, I have always viewed the average blog as way of making those who feel small in society, feel more important. As if their rants, and raves posted in public forums such as this, somehow made them a more important part of society. In addition to these individuals, you have those who are too timid to take a stand physically on issues so they "blog" about it, in hopes of bringing about change through their "eloquent" words. Now at this point you are probably thinking that I sound hypocritical and ignorant, and that may be the case. Over the next few weeks/months I am sure that my eyes will be opened as I am compelled to enter the blogoshpere and experience for myself, for the first time, the reality of blogging. The third and final reason that has kept me from blogging is time. I am a firm believer in the fact that you will make time for whatever is important to you. So maybe blaming time or the lack thereof is inappropriate. However, simply put, I have found many things in life that I need/want to do, which prevent me from blogging. Ultimately, I do not want to blog.
This brings me to the answer for the second question: "Why is this blog entitled "Forced Process?" I originally wanted to title my blog "Random Rumblings" but it was already taken. So I brainstormed for a moment, grasping for a title that would be catchy, and yet symbolic of what this process is/will be for me. It was then that I realized that it is a process that I would not under ordinary circumstances endeavor to accomplish. However, since I have little choice in the matter (my participation or lack thereof will be directly reflected in my grade) it is "forced". I have no doubt that it will be a positive experience in some way (most opportunities to grow can be positive when viewed from the proper perspective) and that I will be a better person for it in the end. For the time being, it is an assignment, a means to an end, a responsibility that must be met. I hope that during the next three months, this process will reveal to me its usefulness and worth. Regardless, it will receive my best effort, otherwise I am wasting my time.
Alright Pup, listen up! Sounds like you've already made up your mind that this will be a waste of time. Your approach should have been, "This is the assignment. What is the goal of the assignment? What can I achieve through the assignment? What will I have to put into the assignment to achieve the goal and maximize my benefit?" But since you have already determined that this entire experience isn't worth the effort, maybe you should just withdraw from the class now in order to avoid any contrarian viewpoints, open discussion on uncomfortable topics, or hostility. You know, because that's just the attitude I want to see publicly displayed by the (future) junior officers in my Navy.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
ETCM(SS) Bryan Cornish
P.S. Remember the boots on your first patrol and how you almost failed because you didn't ask questions of those that had gone before. Could the same lesson apply here? Just wondering.
I definitely see where you are coming from here. I, too, have never had a very strong desire to blog at all. However, since we are now "forced" to do it, I can look at it as an opportunity to grow and become knowledgable in something I was ignorant about before now. If it turns out to be exactly what I thought it was, this whole blogging thing for me will be terminated in a few months, but if for some crazy reason this becomes a new, relevant way to express my opinions or observations, I may just continue. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteBlogging still makes me feel uncomfortable, but I am forcing myself to do it. I, too, am guilty of judging the world of social media for the ego boost that it gives to people who want to find their mundane tasks of everyday living at the center of conversation. In addition, I have been known to criticize cyberspace as an excuse to stay within one's comfort zone instead of interacting with the world. Therefore, what can I learn with you in doing something that makes me feel uncomfortable?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I have never even thought about doing a blog before, and if it weren't for this class I probably wouldn't ever try it. However, I think I will eventually learn to find this type of stuff interesting. It’s just going to take me time to get used to it. I really like what you said about blogs being an opportunity for people who feel small to rant. That's always the way I have felt about it. I say good job on the post. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteETCM(SS):
ReplyDeleteFirst, I appreciate that you took the time to read my first foray into this vast unknown. I feel that I should clarify a few points in order to present a more complete picture. Although, I still prefer not to look for controversy, I am willing to face it. One thing I have learned in my nine short years in the Navy is that you have to stand for what you believe and face the opposition. However, I do not see the value in being blatantly offensive even if my viewpoint is the truth. Finally, I in no way meant to insinuate that I was giving up on this blog before I started. The point of this first post was to, with all sincerity, indicate my true feelings regarding blogging to this point, and state that I intended to do my best because I want to succeed. Simply put, sometimes in life you have to do things that you ordinarily would not, but when forced to do so, find that there is value in them. I would never approach any duty with anything less than my best work. I appreciate your words of inspiration and the "gut check" so to speak. As for the boots, well that was a stinky situation and somewhat painful I might add. Thank God for corpsman that is all I can say. As to the lesson of the boots, I did in fact ask several individuals who were familiar with blogging for advice. I am all about learning from other's endeavors and mistakes. The advice I received from most was to write from my heart and be honest. Hence, this blog.
Classmates, thank you for your affirmation and I look forward to blogging with you this semester.
ReplyDeleteProf. Swan,
I think the main thing I wish to draw from this is to develope myself as a better writer and thinker. I believe both of these can be achieved through this medium and I look forward with some trepidation to the experiences along the way. Thank you for your comments. It is always nice to know that we are not alone.
Fair enough, Pup. Fair enough. As for the "truth" being "offensive": If you're writing from the heart, from what you believe, then it's your truth. If someone wants to take offense with your truth, well that's just their truth. As long as you don't go out of your way to offend anybody, then all you're engaging in is a discussion, possibly heated, of differing ideas. A lot better than shooting at each other. Good luck!
ReplyDelete" The first and probably most influential reason, is that I have a pretty significant fear of being misunderstood or worse, blatantly opposed."
ReplyDeleteI have always found this to be a problem with online forums it is very easy for people to read something and interpret it differently from what the original poster meant.
"I have no doubt that it will be a positive experience in some way..."
There is always positive if we look for it and we will find the journey of life to be much better if we focus on those positives instead of the negatives.
I look forward to "listening" to what you learn on this foray into the blogging world.