Living Outside The Lines: “Two Years Strong!”

September 24 marked the 2-year anniversary of the “Living Outside the Lines” column.

by, Becky j Miller

Like most post-juvenile birthdays, this one slipped in silently, completely unnoticed. September 24 marked the 2-year anniversary of the “Living Outside the Lines” column. There should’ve been balloons! There should’ve been streamers!! There absolutely should’ve been birthday cake with buttercream frosting!!  

Anniversaries are a good time to pause and reflect. Staring at my laptop screen, I cannot help but wonder, “Does the column really matter??” “If it disappeared tomorrow, would anyone miss it?” “Why do I invest hours, upon hours, upon hours writing?”   

Always, there are many questions with no definitive answers. Well, perhaps one…I love writing and this column provides a forum to support that passion. For that, I am eternally grateful.  What follows are some updated thoughts pulled from the Living Outside the Lines First Anniversary Edition!

When a new baby arrives, there is much excitement; everyone knows life is going to change drastically, but no one can really anticipate exactly what that change will look like. Will Baby be passive? Fussy? Like baths? Hate them? Will Baby grow up to look like mom? Or Dad? At what point will Baby sleep through the night?

Taking up a fresh challenge is much like the arrival of an infant. The idea of the task brings happy anticipation, yet it can be scary.  It may also leave one feeling completely unprepared and wondering, “What the heck have I gotten myself into?” Mixed into all the chaos is a bit of intense celebration over the unimagined elation one feels at all the “new”. 

Writing is one of my passions; something I hoped would expand beyond just my own personal blog, so imagine my reaction when offered the opportunity write a regular column for an on-line newspaper. What? Are you serious? Really? Me? You want me to write for your paper? You mean someone besides my college professors and family members believe that not only do I write well, but I might also have something to say that is worth reading?

At well over 200 columns later, I am still amazed at the opportunity bestowed upon me.  I may never grow up to be a “Dear Abby” or “Ask Ann Landers” type of syndicated columnist, but maybe I will? The phrase, “bloom where you are planted” is worth adhering to, for we never know where life’s journey will take us. What if I had never started a small-scale blog with weekly posts that I stuck with for six whole years??? Without a blog to highlight my writing, there would be no “Living Outside the Lines.”

In the past two years I’ve had the chance to showcase important people in my life; to share them with you, my readers, a double joy because those people got to see their names in lights, so to speak. I’ve been able to share experiences of overcoming obstacles that I hope brought inspiration. I’ve shared on random subjects that perhaps made you smile, and maybe some other topics that were thought provoking. Maybe I’ve challenged you to be an instrument of change. And maybe, I’ve shown you that you’re not alone.

My expectation in revealing the world from my vantage point is to help bring perspective in some situations.  Some of my writing is just plain silly, but there is always a method to my madness; my desire is to stir within you a freedom to be who you are, not just who everyone thinks you should be.   

Two years later, I’m still amazed how inspiration finds me. I mean, wow! Every time I think, “Ummm, I need to work on my columns and I’ve got nothing;” it never fails, something happens in my daily routine, or a thought drops into my head providing fodder I can formulate into a worthwhile piece.  A good friend once exclaimed, “I’ve no idea how you never run out of ideas.” Me either, but I’m glad I haven’t.  

One of the most exciting results of writing a bi-weekly lifestyle column are the opportunities I’ve had to share my work with friends and co-workers who were experiencing similar situations. I cannot recall the number of times during a conversation I’ve said, “Oh, I wrote about this subject,” and then shared the link to the column. I can only sit back, observe with awe and wonder the “can you believe this” type of places Living Outside the Lines has taken me.

Before I depart to celebrate the column’s second birthday with some quiet reflection & tears of gratitude, I would like to offer huge thank-you to all my faithful readers. Without an audience there is no reason to write. 

Thank you to my husband who not only encouraged me to start a blog but was instrumental in forging the connection between my blog and the column. He also patiently reads and edits all my work. 

Finally, to Melissa Jewett, Terra Rivers and the SM Corridor News staff, thank you not only for believing in me, but for faithfully publishing my work each Tuesday and Thursday.

And remember, “despise not small beginnings” for one never knows where they may lead.

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.