On blogging.
I have to confess to something. I never thought answering these blogs would be so time consuming. To those that write of their anger and difficulties in accepting the possibility of what I’m sharing, I will still review the blogs and try to answer some, however I am going to limit myself to posting blogs and when I do, I’ll try to address some of the themes expressed in those questioning blogs.
Thanks for understanding. There’s only so many hours in a day. For now, I have nothing new to post except what is in my responses to today’s blogs. pmg.
On Blogging and Shared Thoughts | Paul M. Glaser | 
January 14, 2010 2:27 am
By Rike, January 14, 2010 @ 3:54 am
Dear Paul,
I would love to sign what Pam wrote – and all you do and did is much appreciated.
I’m really glad I found out about your blog – and to participate, though it is more reading than writing. I’m not good with words. Normally I let my photos speak
Thanks again – this place here is really something that enriches my life.
regards from Germany
Rike
By moncanzuba, January 14, 2010 @ 3:56 am
Dear Mr. Glaser,
It is ok for me. In fact I am already grateful to you that you take the time to write, read and answer, as well as everyone posting here, because the excersise itself is improving.
Best regards.
Monica (from Argentina)
By valerie, January 14, 2010 @ 6:24 am
Hello Paul,
It’s ok for me also. It’s already the pleasure that, to share your some philosophic reflections and to be lucky to read to you.
Valerie (France)
By fee, January 14, 2010 @ 6:53 am
Hi Paul, of course you can’t answer every blog and I for one really appreciate the time you do take to read and answer those you do. I find what you are sharing with us very interesting and it is making me think.
If nothing else you have made a lot of us think hard about where we are going and why we do what we do. These blogs seem to have also helped a lot of folk out there who were struggling and who now don’t feel so alone.
Just a thought. Do you feel like I do that somehow the day seems to halved in length?! I swear someone somewhere has pinched half the hours in the day as well as removing some of the months!!!!
With that daft thought I shall shut up.
Take care and hugs,
Fee (Fiona) from way down in South Australia.
ps Waves to Pam.
By Christine, January 14, 2010 @ 7:14 am
Hi Paul, I think everyone can understand, it has been a pleasure being a part of this blog, you have been very kind in answering the blogs and have given us such a lot to think about. You are still my inspiration, thank you for your caring and your compassion to other’s. You have helped more than you will ever know. Take care of yourself, love as always Christine xx
By Rach1970, January 14, 2010 @ 9:48 am
Hi Paul,
It’s very understandable and thank you for the time you’ve given. It’s very appreciated (as Pam said) and your kindness and compassion shine!
Have a wonderful day and upcoming weekend (Yaah for Friday tommorrow *g*)! I hope you have a fun happy day!
Hugs, Rach
By lady800cc, January 14, 2010 @ 10:39 am
Hi PMG, Pam and Blog Fam,
Honestly Paul, I was shocked when I saw that you were trying to answer the blogs; I thought what a completely selfless act that you would give up your time like that. Knowing your limitations is a good thing that will benefit those in your inner, inner, inner circle
If you still “Ride” and the weather is acceptable where you are, take a ride… it can be so spiritual. I so miss riding right now; but at the moment, I am “helpless”
against the 20 degree plus weather here in south jersey;
but let that mercury hit 50… and I’m outta here!!
Always optimistic,
Lady800cc
By hilly, January 14, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Seconding all that has been said above….good grief Paul,I’m sure that for all of us the fact that you are thoughtful enough to give time to responding at all is enough.
Time is a precious commodity, use it with care and it will reward you with peace.
By PamT, January 14, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
Dear Paul
That sounds a very positive way forward to me. I’m sure nobody could reasonably expect you to individually address the multitude of questions, concerns, dilemmas and observations, much as you obviously do care. It would be a never-ending task. It’s more than enough that, through your initial blog postings, you have been prepared to pass on some of what you have learnt along your way through life. And I appreciate that your willingness to do this has come from a place of compassion.
So, in short, I’d like to follow others in thanking you sincerely for your words to date – and also hope that the whole experience hasn’t put you off completely! Each one of us posts as an individual, but if I were the one at whom the majority of the comments were being directed en masse (many containing anguish, anger or need), I think I would eventually find it quite draining, let alone time-consuming. I don’t presume that you do, because how can anyone truly feel what it’s like to be in another person’s shoes – just an observation.
Kind wishes.
PamT
By sknash, January 14, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Paul,
I appreciate the fact that you take the time to read and encourage us in our daily lives. This blogging stuff is very time consuming and will eat you alive if you let it. Just enjoy each day and knowing that you are out there and making the world a better place is fine for me. I am grateful you have done these blogs and I have enjoyed them and chatting with others.
You have gone above and beyond what any of us expected I am sure and I join them all in thanking you kindly and no worries on my part at all. Still love you!! Keep smiling!! Susan
By HILDA LIPRACE, January 14, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
MY DEAR PAUL I UNDERSTAND THE LACK OF TIME TO ANSWER, I VERY AM THANKED FOR BY ALL THIS I NEVER ME INMAGINE TO BE ABLE ESCRIBIRTE AND DECIRTE AS I APPRECIATE TO YOU AND I WANT AND MASTER AFTER TO 30 I AM REALISING IT YEARS FOR MY IT IS AS A DREAM, IT IS SUFFICIENT TO KNOW OF YOU AND SHE ENCHANTS TO READ YOUR WRITINGS COMFORT MY SOUL, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING WHAT ME DAS THANKS FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND HUMILITY TO ME GOD BLESSES TO YOU –HILDA LIPORACE – ARGENTINA -
By xtexan86, January 15, 2010 @ 12:29 am
Dear PMG,
I’m very appreciative for the responses to my posts and apologize if anything I said was construed as being ‘angry.’ Even under the best circumstances, when I email close friends, it’s hard to convey the absolute intention of what I’m trying to say. Add to this the situation where there is a little ‘play on words’ – meanings can get twisted very easily.
Some on this board, namely Pam M, know you very well, others, like me, don’t as much, so when you say something like ‘What are we here to remember? That which we already know from the moment we’re born…maybe even before, because we ARE the knowing’ I’m not sure what connotation is intended even though for others it’s very simple. The response itself is very intriguing and I’d certainly give anything for a one-on-one, but in all likelihood that won’t happen. Thus, I’m left to my own interpretation which may not be the right one.
Irregardless, I list my voice to the other ‘thank you’s’ here for trying to expand our knowledge, our ‘education’ and imploring us to feel less afraid and more empowering with our lives. Your time is precious and I’m sure we all appreciate that you are willing to share it with your fans. Peace.
By Softly, January 15, 2010 @ 6:37 am
It took all my nights and days to find you here,
only to say goodbye again,
Friend, Foe, Teacher, Thought.
Next time we meet let us extend our hand in friendship
and say: “I know you, for you are me.”
Softly
By mechelle, January 16, 2010 @ 12:05 am
Wow. I have only appreciation for you and your willingness to share your opinions, feelings, experience, and orientations. I appreciate your time and energy. I feel the hurt behind your latest words. The other side of compassion is an openness that also leaves you vulnerable.
Celebrity, part 1:
I met Gwendolyn Brooks when I was in high school. I dragged my father and younger sister along to her lecture at the local college. I had a list of questions and accolades. But as I stood before Gwendolyn, all I could do was stare and stammer. My sister made an impromptu speech and showed Gwendolyn my list. Ms Brooks invited me to the dinner in her honor that night. I sat at her table. I’m sure I spoke. I’m sure I ate. But all I can remember is wanting to be able to express what her work meant to me, how it formed me.
Celebrity, part 2:
So, my other passion was theater. Every aspect was intriguing- down to hair and makeup. But of course the interaction between the cast members was the most intoxicating. Ah, the feeling of looking into another’s eyes and communicating as myself and as someone else. Your work entered my life and I have been magnetized and delighted by it.
I admire you and am intrigued by your life journey, your grace, and your work.
As I stumble along, trying to find my way, your words and the words of those to whom I am connected through your site and blog comfort and spur me.
I will trudge through the rain in the morning to sit and walk and breathe. I’ll call my sons to tell them that I love them. I will try to be open.
Thank you. Take care. Be good to yourself.
By helly19619, January 18, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
It is what it is. We all do what we can. Time is worth a million bucks to me so I value everyones! It sure is fun though!! Taking down the prima donna teacher act and saying what I want!
By Terri Nefarious, February 6, 2010 @ 11:30 am
I have been checking in on this blog on and off for nearly a month now. I am amazed.
You pick your “religion” to fit your beliefs/principles in most cases. Not the other way around. It seems to me that if you are the type of person who cares about others, who wants to step beyond your own day-to-day concerns to effect positive changes in not only your own life but in the lives of others, you chose teachings that are in accordance with that. On the other hand if you are the kind of person who wants to put yourself first or above other people and be satisfied with inhabiting your own little realm, you’ll find teachings to support that. And then, there are all of those in between. Most of us fit “in between” but still lean towards one or the other. There are two basic categories of people in this world: the givers and the takers. And reading the comments on this blog you clearly encounter giving people who just want to hear, help, learn, and share. More often, though, you hear the ones who just want to be heard, and that is really sad to me.
I don’t know what to think of you, P.M.Glaser. On the one hand, you seem like a really nice person who has lived through some really horrendous stuff and just wants to share with folks the things that you learned along the way that helped you get through it. But it really is hard to grasp where you’re coming from. It’s like the thoughts are clear when you think them but get smudged when you print them. Are you a giver trying to teach others how to give? Are you a taker trying to somehow justify that position? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. So some of us keep reading because we can tell you are trying really hard to convey things that are important to you, and we are interested in what you have to say.
I guess it’s just discouraging to have to wade through all the rest of it. People saying what they think will impress you or others. Or going off on tangents to promote their own agendas. It makes it hard for some of us to follow what you’re saying and doing here. But the bottom line is it seems unfair when some people honestly want to share and converse but get overwhelmed by the people who don’t seem to get what you’re saying either but just keep jumping in and justifying their own perspectives. That isn’t the same as having legitimate questions or a pertinent point to add to the discussion.
And I just don’t understand it.
I just don’t understand any of it.
Any way, good luck with what you’re trying to do here. I’m wishing you the best in getting across the ideas you mean to and getting honest, helpful feedback in exchange.
By Josie, February 6, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
Honestly this blog helps me deepen and strengthen my faith. I am not speaking about God or religion.
I mean, there is a vital force inherent in people’s lives.
This same vital force exists in my life also and it grow when I read the blog.
We must move boldly this is the spirit of a winner.
Sorry this is just my feeling and thought.
I understand Terri.
All my best.
By MoriaDole, June 2, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
Pmg,
Knowing I run the risk of finding myself in hot water, this is the strangest blog I’ve ever read. Sometimes I find myself if it is or has become what you yourself wanted–what you expected–it to be. Usually, a person starts a blog, makes the entries, and is given specific responses to what they write. For many it serves as a therapeutic outlet for the tensions, the dilemmas of life, of the day, or even of the moment. (Much like a journal?) On it the person works through questions of his own but in a public forum so that others can benefit from the journey. And the changes or growth that result from examining or reviewing his own faults and failings as well as thoughts and successes.
Here, the actual topic seems almost incidental, which can be frustrating for those of us who want to “get it.” It’s like selecting a book based on some genuine interest or curiosity in the subject or the author only to find that following every paragraph are pages of others’ words, sometimes related, oftentimes not. It’s all so difficult to take in.
I find myself thinking that if I had a blog, I might also find myself, if in similar circumstances, asking why I bothered. If there were any real point in opening up topics that immediately fall to the wayside.
I’m wondering if this is what you had in mind when you started blogging?
I realize there’s probably no way you could respond to such a question, really. (No more than the dozens of other points/questions that have recently arisen for me and possibly/probably others lately.) I just know this all bothers me somehow, and bothers me enough that I find myself wondering if it bothers you, too. If it does frustrate and bewilder you, I hope you are able to find another way to offer your ideas in a way that meets your expectations rather than others’. If, on the other hand, your own intentions are being met here, I have to say that some of us have a really arduous time following that lead.
~M. Doland
By Pandra, July 16, 2011 @ 2:26 pm
I have only just discovered your blog and I really am enjoying it. I want to thank you for not being discouraged and for continuing to post. What you write is both deeply felt and thought-provoking, a rare combination.