And so it begins...

So, here it goes. I have been observing the blogging craze that seems to have swept the nation. I have long debated with myself and others the catalyst for this. Do people have an overdeveloped sense of importance about their thoughts and daily lives to the point they become convinced others should and do care to read about them? Or is it an outward manifestation of an inward need we have as innately social creatures to feel connected to other people, to reach out and be assured that someone is there and listening. Maybe it's a bit of both, or none of the above.

In any case, it may appear that I have succumbed, and that I too feel that my thoughts, opinions, and doings merit the attention and precious time of others. I hope not to appear and do not feel quite so presumptious. Rather, I have determined that, at least for a time, this may be an effective way to keep my writing from being geared solely to support my profession. I am essentially a writer for hire. From commercials to speeches, ads to film scripts, press releases to Web sites, collateral kits to media advisories, I am essentially paid to write and make writing come alive in the attempt to influence hearts and minds and incite action.

This blog is begun with the intent to write for the joy of writing, to exercise my reasoning and logic skills, and to explore my views about the world and what is happening in it. I aspire to be a man of God, and as such, anything I write will doubtless be flavored if not fully focused on the application and meaning of Gospel principles from day to day, experience to experience, impression to impression. Men I greatly admire emphasize and exhort people to make a record of the promptings they receive so that they can remember and continually build upon them, thus expandng their character. This is in large part what I intend to do.

So, again, here goes. If reading these is worthwhile to anyone but me, please feel free to chime in. It is always healthy and interesting to engage and benefit from the perspectives, wisdom, observations, and thoughts of others - Elder Maxwell has said that we are each other's "clinical material."

And so it begins...