6 year blogging anniversary

It is here again. Another year has come around to the time that marks the beginning of my blogging journey. 6 years. Wow!  Has it really been that long since I began writing more intentionally!?!?! Yes.

It all started on September 3, 2010.  That month there were 344 clicks on my 12 posts-- a very humble beginning.

As I stated then in that very first post ("To blog or not to blog"), I began in part in order to get out from inside me the things that wouldn't go away. That has been my primary focus in writing, though at times I have included other things. It has all been part of my journey. A journey that continues to amaze me, surprise me, fulfill me, at times exhaust me. I continue to have my ideas stretched. I continue to grow and learn.

I am grateful for the many people with whom I have been blessed to travel this journey, many whom I have never met in person and who live far from me. Some have engaged in dialogue through comments on the blog or where I have posted on Facebook.  Thank you for engaging in dialogue.

Here are the statistics for this past year. (Note: these statistics include all time totals, not just for this past year, but these are the top ten for this past year.)

The top 10 countries:

United States-- 67,318
Russia--14,133
Germany--12,986
France--3,499
Ukraine--2,115
United Kingdom--1,518
China--1,268
Canada--1,010
Japan--688
Poland--685

The United States, Russia, and Germany continue to be in the top 3 countries, though Russia and Germany switched places.  Since last year, Ukraine has made its way into the top ten.

All countries (including the top 10): [These are in no particular order, other than that's how I noticed them and jotted them down. Note:  because I didn't check my blog daily or weekly, I may have missed some countries along the way.]

United States, France, Norway, Ukraine, Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary, India, Romania, Russia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Thailand, Bulgaria, Canada, Australia, Spain, Singapore, Nigeria, Israel, Colombia, Philippines, Netherlands, Sweden, Bolivia, Belarus, China, Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea, Portugal, Mexico, Syria, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Finland, Japan, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Serbia, Latvia, Brazil, Mauritius, Estoria, Jordan, Greece, Algeria, Kuwait, Taiwan, Lithuania, India, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Kenya, New Zealand

That would be 60 countries total.  There may have been more (or not).  I apologize if you visited, but I missed your visit.  There is not a great way to capture unique visits from countries.

The top 10 posts:

 1. Some notes from two chapters in Conversion in the Wesleyan Tradition   May 7, 2013 9,846
 2. Thoughts and quotes from Jesus Calling from the last few days and weeks November 24, 2011 2,737
 3. Academy #32 Tú has venido a la orilla / Lord, You Have Come October 3, 2012 1,790
 4. Jesus Calling--January 1, 2012 January 1, 2012, 1,013
 5. Christ the King Retreat Center-- a beautiful place to get away to for some quiet time!   July 12, 2013 877
 6. Jesus Calling-- December 30th December 30, 2011 854
 7. Boldly moving forward in love for all August 29, 2016 574
 8. Hogar Metodista Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica August 6, 2012 561
 9. Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor February 4, 2013 428
10. Pushing 5...reflections of an example of living well from Will May 5, 2014 341

Though these have remained fairly steady over the years, there is a surprise in that #7 is a recent post and made its way into the top 10 in such a quick amount of time.  The only other post I've written that received so much attention so quickly is the one that is currently at #10.  I don't know why, but I find it a little odd and strange when people read what I write.

Monthly readership this past year:

September 2015--1,189
October 2015--1,190
November 2015--1,038
December 2015--1,719
January 2016--2,480
February 2016--1,631
March 2016--1,336
April 2016--1,261
May 2016--1,386
June 2016--1,256
July 2016--5,235
August 2016--2,356
September 2016-- 89 (at time of writing)

In 2016 I have written 42 posts so far, whereas I wrote 47 in 2015 and 91 in 2014.  2015 was a slower year for blog posts because I was focusing on finishing those seminary courses and trying to graduate.  There simply wasn't time or energy to write much else.

Because writing is a spiritual discipline for me, I do try to make time even when there is no time.  But, there is that issue of having brain power and energy.  And when that isn't the case, I focus on rest instead.

I have enjoyed writing.

I will continue to write because it is something that brings me joy and allows me to process the spiritual life inside me.

Peace and blessings on your journey.  Thank you once again for sharing my journey.

Debra


Previous blogging anniversary blogs:

5 year anniversary blog
4 year anniversary blog
3 year anniversary blog
2 year anniversary blog
1 year anniversary blog