Kia ora e hoa,

I'm frantically writing this one 10 minutes before the usual deadline of 10 AM Sunday (NZT). Let's see if I'll make it?

This week a friend asked my underlying reason for blogging. To extend that further, why do I have an active presence on LinkedIn? Why do I publish content online? To answer this question, I want to refer to my first ever blog post.

Posted over a year ago, I'm happy to say that I have remained consistent — especially with this newsletter.

Posted over a year ago, the why of blogging, putting stuff out there, still stands today.

Writing is a form of expression — a creative outlet.

Through my sharing my journey of life with these words, I can hopefully inspire, entertain and educate those who read them.

Publishing online creates the stage. I can share my thoughts with the world. But, at the same time, I can build connections and opportunities with others. My ideas are out there, while I work, while I eat and while I sleep. You never know who stumbles upon what is written, then resonates, and finally connects.

Well, this is what I want to believe.

On the other hand, my friend asked for the underlying reason. I'll give a truthful response.

I must admit. I would love to be paid to write (or at least I think I do). I'm not talking about sleeping on bags of cash. The remuneration is still for the above reasons — the passion for writing.

But we all know too well what following your passions can do to you.

Fear inheriting the status of starving artist forces us to stay on a dispassionate pathway.

So, why do I blog/write/have an online presence?

To become a paid writer. Not for the simple riches. But to follow my true passion, which is sharing my ideas, building connections, and inspiring others, while having decent food on the table.

School told me writing is given to you by birth. Ability is given outside of one's control.

I don't see it this way. The lottery is not skill. It is passion. If you have the passion, then all you need to do is create the habit. And that is what writing online does.

I'm about to hit publish. 10:59 AM and I didn't make the deadline.

Thanks for reading and all the best for the week ahead. Please let me know your thoughts on having an online presence. It is sincere or sinister? To build connections with others or a pathway to stardom?

Ngā mihi nui,

Shivan :)

Blog Posts

Why Create a Blog? My First Post • Shivan Sivakumaran — shivansivakumaran.com Writing is a skill that can be practiced and improved upon. A blog has a world-wide reach; the audience is anyone with an internet connection.