Friday, May 26, 2006

Well Wishing

So much I do and don’t want to say here.

When Ken proposed this blog back in December, I thought it was the greatest idea. Both of us were excited about starting something new and – hopefully – different both for ourselves and here in the blogsphere. Our two or three main reasons for starting The Realm, though there were others, were to 1) have fun in an avenue of writing that would let us be creative and express thoughts that we had that wouldn’t go conveniently into our novels, 2) try to get the Pearce & Story name out to people who otherwise wouldn’t know us so that when our novels did see the light of day (and Dorkman’s coming – with more to follow – there’s no doubt about that), our market would be somewhat expanded, and 3) to honor Christ in all of our efforts. In retrospect, we probably receive mixed reviews in all three categories.

One thing about blogging, especially for one with an obsessive and addictive personality, is that it takes up gargantuan amounts of time and focus. Perspective is what decides whether that time and focus is beneficial or wasted – and here again… mixed reviews. From the start (believe it or not), huge chunks of the free time I had in everyday life were spent in thinking up posts for The Realm – in the morning, in the evening, throughout the day, and sometimes into the late night.

Like a hammer pounding a nail, it’s been brought to my attention in a plethora of ways that a lot of the time I have used dwelling on the blog has taken away from other important obligations I have sort of dismissed. There’s no question, I totally enjoy blogging, and the medium could dominate my life if I let it. But the matter of fact is, right now, too many important things have taken a backseat to something I selfishly enjoy. Starting the list: my quiet times, my novel and short story writing, my career/job, my children, and my wife, to name a few. When I weigh who and what I’ve hurt compared to anything or anyone I’ve helped, the scale is imbalanced in such a way that it’s very difficult, despite my longing to continue blogging, to see it as the right thing to do. Not that I’ll give it up forever, probably, but for now, it’s not worth the cost.

So… for the time being and any foreseeable future, I’m going to leave The Realm of Possibility in the able and capable hands of my great friend, brilliant writer, and diabolical genius, Ken Story. In the past, we’ve discussed adding other writers to the blog, and perhaps Ken will do that. We’ll no doubt, continue to give Dorkman updates. I’m still hoping that The Realm hits 500 posts and continues on and on. Believe me when I say, these last six months have been awesome. The Realm of Possibility has meant, means, and will continue to mean a great deal to me. So keep having fun here. No sad goodbyes in The Realm.

On a more personal note, I want to thank everyone who has ever come to The Realm, the lurkers and especially those that have commented. All of you guys I consider friends, and hypocritical that it is and hypocrite that I am, I encourage you all to keep blogging. I’ve received eternal benefits from the blogsphere, and I thank you all for the posts you have written. That said, I’m going incognito for a while in the blog universe to take a break and reestablish some of the more important relationships I have. I love you all, and once again: THANK YOU!!!

6 comments:

Kevin Knox said...

Thanks for letting us know, Rich.

I commend you in every way. If I were to remarry, I believe my blogging would end for at least a year, and never come back to more than 20% of what it is now. I am glad to have known at least this dimension of Rich Pearce, and treasure you letting me dump a little here and really hearing me. You were a friend when I needed one, and a constant bright light in my day.

Thank you.

Go forth and win back the treasures God has given you!

Kevin

(My email is on my profile if you ever need it.)

DougALug said...

Rich,

Well said compadre. I saddens me to hear this, but I know your heart and I know this is right.

I will miss all of the many great posts, but without question it has consumed a lot of all of our time than we expected or can account for. Prioroties stink sometimes.

Your eternal friend,
Doug

Milly said...

I wish you well. Thanks for your time.

Blessings,
Milly

pearlie said...

Rich,
It will be sad not to be able to read your posts anymore but we got to do what we got to do.
Thank you for all the sharing. Take care and I leave with you the words of St Paul:

Col 1:9-12 (ESV)
... you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.


Blessings,
Maeghan

Anonymous said...

What can I say? (as my selfish innards shout "NO!")

I'm glad that I got to see another side of Rich. He's a fine person. The fact that he sees a need and sacrifices to meet it proves it even more.

I'll miss you around the site, Rich, but I'm glad I'll get to see you at the critique meetings.

Wanda

Kevin Knox said...

How will we know, when the last 52 days of our time of waiting and testing have expired, what to do if this site continues in silence?