Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bloggers are healthier

a Biblical thought...
The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. (1 John 5:3)

a Book thought...
Sometimes when people are backing up their points and the Bible is used to prove that they are right, everything within me says, "There is no way that's what God meant by that verse." (p45 Bell)
a Dave thought...
Blogging can help you feel less isolated, more connected to a community and more satisfied with your friendships, both online and face-to-face, new Australian research has found.
The research, from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, found after two months of regular blogging, people felt they had better social support and friendship networks than those who did not blog.
Researchers James Baker and Professor Susan Moore have written two papers investigating the psychological benefits of blogging, regularly updating personal web pages with information that invites others to comment.
The first, published in the latest issue of the journal CyberPsychology and Behaviour, compares the mental health of people intending to blog with that of people not planning to blog.
"We found potential bloggers were less satisfied with their friendships and they felt less socially integrated, they didn't feel as much part of a community as the people who weren't interested in blogging," Ms Moore said.

I came across this article yesterday in the Swinburne Uni magazine, as an everyday blogger it grabbed my attention. I am also one who believes in what you are thinking or reading should be shared with those around you, as it often helps to clarify or adjust your thoughts. I also continue this discipline because I believe being a Jesus follower requires us to be contact with other believers and being kept accountable to each other. When we develop our faith in isolation it can become a selfish journey and we then end up in an unhealthy space.

Just a thought.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

While I agrre with most of the content of this particular blog, there is something to be said about
1) having contact with people without the use of technology (ie face to face)
2) some bloggers who don't realise there are some things that shouldn't be blogged about

Anonymous said...

agree.

Anonymous said...

Being kept accountable to each other is essential.. but doesn't it require two-way interaction?

Blogging for accountability can be beneficial, when it's open for people to communicate and be kept accountable. That means allowing for the exchange of ideas, thoughts, suggestions and help.

I also agree with Fiona, you could never overestimate the importance of face to face contact.

Many people use blogging as a new version of keeping a personal diary. And I remember diaries were always considered private and personal, and locked.