| Since returning to roller skating as an adult three | | | | Commitment |
| years ago, I've become a good skater. If you know | | | | My determination to become an excellent skater gets |
| anything about roller skating - not rollerblading - the | | | | me to the rink at least once a week, although twice |
| thought of rolling on those eight wheels is scary. | | | | a week is ideal. When I do finally get there, I practice |
| Skating is another discipline all in itself. To actually | | | | current techniques and learn new moves. My |
| roller skate is a combination of skill and technique. I | | | | commitment to skating not only makes me more |
| can proudly say that I'm working on mastering both. | | | | comfortable on wheels and eager to want to learn |
| Gaining my level of ability did not come easy. It took | | | | more, it also makes me a better skater. |
| huge levels of courage, commitment and confidence. | | | | The same is true with blogging. My commitment to |
| These are the same qualities that contribute to my | | | | blogging keeps me posting at least once a week. My |
| success as a blogger. | | | | creativity also expands to new dimensions. I write in |
| Courage | | | | different styles; vary the length of blog posts; and |
| Roller skating as an adult is not for the faint of heart, | | | | attempt different topics. In addition, my writing and |
| especially after being off wheels for at least 10 | | | | editing skills have improved greatly as a result of my |
| years. The first day I returned to the skating rink, I | | | | consistency. |
| looked out at the intimidating floor with two | | | | Consistency and practice are proof of my |
| thoughts: 1) How do I begin? and 2) What if I fall? | | | | commitment to roller skating and blogging. Not only |
| The only way to find out was to take off - literally. | | | | does my skill level increase, my confidence level also |
| Not taking that first step at all would have been a | | | | gets a boost. |
| bigger failure than taking the first step and hitting the | | | | Confidence |
| floor. | | | | Courage and commitment give me the confidence to |
| Similar thoughts occurred to me when I decided to | | | | do things I never thought I could or would do. I find |
| blog two years ago. It was just me and a blank | | | | myself almost speed skating around the rink and |
| screen with the following thoughts: 1) What am I | | | | looking forward to learning new tricks on wheels. |
| supposed to write? and 2) How do I begin? Even | | | | That sounds insane - and it is - but it's such a thrill to |
| today I sometimes sit and stare at the screen willing | | | | be able to skate around the entire rink in less than a |
| it to write the next post for me. It doesn't happen. | | | | minute and do some of the tricks I only admired a |
| To begin, I just type a few random thoughts. From | | | | few years ago. And, skaters who have been skating |
| those thoughts I pick a topic and flow. It's easier to | | | | for years are asking me to show them moves. My |
| start with a few simple thoughts than to try to write | | | | skate style is all my own, and no one can do what I |
| a thesis with no direction. But to not write at all is to | | | | do the way I do it. I have learned a lot these past |
| fail. | | | | few years, but I'm not done yet. There is still a lot |
| Since failure is not an option for me, I always muster | | | | more to learn, and I'm going to get it. |
| the courage to begin. My ventures in roller skating | | | | My blogging confidence allows me to produce more |
| began with a few small steps while my blogging life | | | | posts in a shorter period of time. I'm also submitting |
| began with a few simple thoughts. My commitment | | | | guest posts to other blog sites. My authentic voice |
| to both ventures makes moving forward much easier | | | | and originality creates a personal connection between |
| because I am determined to master the skills and | | | | my readers and me, which keeps them coming back. |
| techniques of skating while becoming one of the | | | | I am also on a mission to write topics that will incite |
| most well-known and wealthiest bloggers in the | | | | controversy, invite criticism and hopefully ignite |
| world. | | | | discussions for better understanding. |