Over the years, I have noticed that I have about as many people each week who view my “Who is Dr. John Persico Jr?” profile as read my blog. I suppose it is only natural that people would want to know something about me before believing anything I say. If only everyone did the same thing with the politicians that they vote for. But that is another issue.
I left Arizona about three weeks ago and have not posted anything since then. We took our RV back to Wisconsin for the summer to visit some friends and relatives. My previous record for living in this 26-foot RV trailer was 7 days. I am now going on 16 days and have not lost my mind yet. I have spent more time at the local hardware store looking for things that we either needed or thought we had brought with us than I have spent sleeping. I found out over time that homes were money pits, I am beginning to wonder if the same is true of RV homes. I have ninety more days to go to find out.
Anyway, we have most things straightened out and I started feeling the need to write something. It was like the need to exercise; I NEED to write. Something in my life was missing. Dozens of topics went through my head. Spinning around like a ball on a roulette wheel, which topic would my mind stop at. I must write something and soon. Spinning, spinning, spinning, it finally stopped at “Why Do I Write?” I suppose I feel somewhat like Hank Williams Jr. sang in his famous song, “Family Tradition”:
They get on me and want to know,
Hank, why do you drink?
Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Over and over
Everybody makes my prediction,
So, if I get stoned, I’m just carrying on,
An old family tradition.
I can’t say that I am carrying on a family tradition. More like I am starting one. But I have done and still do my share of smoking, drinking, and carrying on. I certainly try to live out the blogs that I wrote. But as I started trying to answer the question as to why I write, I came up with the following reasons. Some realistic, some not. Some mundane, some grandiose. Some memorable, some not. Some inspiring, some disappointing. Like’em or leave’em, here are my reasons for posting nearly 700 blogs over the past 13 years or so.
- To influence
- To persuade
- To change ideas
- To challenge ideas
- To share ideas
- To titillate
- To shock
- To inform
- To remember
- To celebrate
- To bless
- To find peace
- To find happiness
- To share joy
- To share pain
- To share sorrow
- To organize
- To rally
- To tell a story
- To have fun
- To be creative
- To act as a catharsis
- To become immortal
- To become famous
- To receive honorable mention someday
- To leave a legacy
- To leave a history
- To set some records straight
- To support causes that I believe in
- To honor those who I think deserve it
- To skewer those who I think deserve it
- To make a difference
- To find out who I am
- To help others remember who I was
Well, there you have it friends. My reasons for writing. Many of you who read my blog are wonderful writers. If you leave a comment, tell me why you write. I suspect some of you will have much better reasons for writing than I have. Notice, money was not one of my reasons. Not that money is not important to me, but I would rather be known as a great writer than a billionaire. Both titles have to date eluded me and probably will continue to do so.
Aging Capriciously 
Jun 08, 2023 @ 16:58:05
It was Oprah that inspired me to start writing… She was big on journaling, thus I started out journaling… then poetry and writing. So, why do I write? Hmm… same reason why I sketch…
I’ll need more time to put my feelings into words 🙂 Not sure how to express them .. nevertheless, this is good thinking for me.
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:48:43
Thanks Lin. I love it when I hear that one of my blogs resulted in someone thinking and reflecting. For me, ideas come first. They have always been the most important thing in my existence. I wish it were people but not as much to me perhaps my failure. John
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Jun 08, 2023 @ 17:18:47
I for one am glad you write!
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:46:25
Thanks so much Wayne. I hope your summer is going well. John
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Jun 08, 2023 @ 20:09:26
I write because . . . I am. When I’m not . . . if THAT ever is . . . I won’t. https://thehappynarcissist.wpcomstaging.com/2022/05/01/here-i-am-2/
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:45:52
But if you can’t then you don’t but you do so you can.
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Jun 08, 2023 @ 20:26:42
For starters, glad to hear that you and Karen are spending some time back in the Wisconsin. Re your 26’ travel RV, I have a brother who, for reasons known only to him, has elected this past year to live permanently in a 36’ travel RV trailer, in a campsite in TN, a state he’s never lived in before! 🙄
Re writing, wow, John, you’ve come up with a lot of reasons! I think, for me, writing is thinking. I enjoy your writing in all of its reasons. 😊
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:44:57
Thanks Jane, I would love to interview your brother and do a blog on his thoughts. I am curious as to what is going through his mind. Your writings always evidence thinking but also a great deal of passion. Passion and Ideas, perhaps a sort of yin and yang or is that just another way of saying thinking and feeling. John
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 20:07:05
You’re not the only one curious about what’s going on in his mind! I’m afraid interviewing him wouldn’t produce many revealing motivations. It is what it is, I’m afraid. But you and Karen enjoy your time in the north, and keep writing!
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Jun 10, 2023 @ 09:22:33
Will do Jane. Have a great summer.
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Jun 08, 2023 @ 23:26:08
Interesting question! (btw, I love the spelling police demon in the cartoon).
I write primarily to sort out my thoughts and check to see if they make any sense. I’m not sure I enjoy it, as it is 97% rewriting and editing and hair tearing. But often when I go back and read things I’ve written, I am grateful to my former self for having worked so hard to get those thoughts down–and kind of in awe of her for working so hard and putting those thoughts down …
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:41:22
I have had the same feelings at times Ginger. But when I sort of consider going “gently into the night” something brings me back again to the sometimes difficult task of composing thoughts and getting them on paper. I often look back on old writings in disbelief for many reasons, but seldom regrets at putting them on paper. John
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 02:28:36
Your reasons for writing are all excellent John but this post adds anoyjer, Becausr I have to. You felt the need and found the time despite your RV wanderings. Enjoy the trip and maybe find some more time to post so we know you’re OK and can enjoy the ride with you. Hugs
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:38:11
Yes, thanks David for the kind comments. I will be trying to do at least one blog each week. I find after a three week layoff, my brain is brimming with ideas that seem to need to escape my prefrontal orb or is it occipital orb? 🙂
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 06:07:19
Thanks for this John.
You’ve reminded me why I started blogging 18 months ago but currently I’m lacking enthusiasm. I find getting the balance right isn’t easy, blogging and keeping in touch with other blogs is so time consuming and involves more time than I want to give. On the other hand when I haven’t posted or read for a while I find I’m missing it.
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 18:36:00
Best to go with the flow Margaret. I think we are meant to ebb and flow like the tides. IMHO. John
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Jun 09, 2023 @ 08:20:42
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