What am I doing this for again?

I think about that Teeshirt I see people wear. the one that says " You're not a writer, you're not an artist, you're not deep, you're just a guy with a computer." The first time I saw it, I thought it was funny. Only because I've seen people writing about stupid subjects like Sit-coms or reality TV and acting like they're an iconic author with a poetic voice of a generation. Or young parents who write stuff like "Gee-Shucks! Look at what little Bobby did today! Isn't he just the center of my universe!" But then I thought about it. I started this blogg a while ago and I haven't really touched it. Its been sitting here for three years. I half-expected it to be erased or something. Then I wondered why I did it in the first place. I don't have anything huge to say. I can articulate well. I can use colorful metaphors. I like seeing my words on a screen or a page, that's cool. I mostly do it for personal enjoyment. Now I know what you're thinking " T-Dizod, you don't do it." My answer to that is " I don't do it here. I don't blogg. I don't feel like anyone has an interest in what I have to say anyway." Which is one way to look at it. Another way is, I don't really put myself out there. Creative people need to put themselves "out there" in order to get readers, followers, support ect. I am practically secretive about my writing, which does me no favors what-so-ever. I've written many journal entries. I've written poems, short stories, essays. Mostly my opinion and psychological therapy stuff to help me get through things. I've written and recorded many songs too. I like it, I really do, but for some demented reason, I can't get into the solid habit of writing this blog and I don't put it out there for god and everyone to see. I guess I'm aprehensive because of possible criticism. A lot of people out there cannot write and wish they could so they become critics and bash the work of others as a way of making a living. This idea used to terrify me. I mean I wouldn't try because I didn't want to even think about being ripped apart. I feel like I've learned how to handle rejection somewhat. I'm by no means an expert. I am very sensitive about my work but here are some things that I've learned.. 1.Opinions aren't fact. This is so hard to remember. Something inside of me always takes the words of others as gospel. I guess it comes from having a low self esteem. I think part of why I would get so angry and hurt at criticism is because I had the perspective that "if someone else thinks it, it must be true." Now this is a two-parter because there's another idea that goes along with this that is lethal with regard to your determination to do things and go places in life. The second belief is "I'm a bad egg and should quit." I can't even tell you how many times I think that very thought about a lot of things. Criticism comes when someone doesn't appreciate your work, or notices mistakes and wants to tell you about every last one of them. The key is to take it for what it's worth. If someone is just bashing you to bash you, They want you to get mad, so the second thing to remember is: 2. Don't get mad, the stronger you are, the more stupid they'll feel. If you can argue a point, stick to the point. If not, move on somehow. BTW. I am totally aware of how hard it is to not get mad and can fully appreciate the urge to spin off. But if that's what you do, anyone can walk up and pop you in the face and you're done. 3. What can you learn from this? If you did something wrong, do your best to not make that mistake again. This is also very hard to do, especially if you have a compulsive tendancy to make this mistake. 4. MOST IMPORTANT: TAKE A STEP AWAY FOR A WHILE, (if you can) You need to give yourself a break when you get bashed. Whether its a cup of coffee in the lounge for 5 minutes. Or a cigarette break or a trip to Boston...Walk away as soon as you can and if you have to go global-thermal DO IT IN PRIVATE. If you have to vent, vent in a note book or a Word file and read it over. Later on, if you feel like it, go through and take out the positive stuff and delete the rest. This will help get the poison out of your head and help you get distance. 5. Don't beat yourself up. Don't dump kerosene on the brush fire by getting pissed off and abusive toward your self. There's the initial sting and then there's the sting you provide by going over it. Even if this person has you to dead to rights. The world will forget about it sooner or later, especially if you're working hard to fix the problem. 6. Their criticism is only your epitaph if you make it your epitaph.I really don't care who you are. If you're considered the best (insert vocation here)in the world. You still have something to learn. You may not know it, yet. If you're really arrogant, then you're not even open to finding something new to learn.