Today we start the 4th round of the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and our prompt for November is – 20 years ago, I….’. Shalini, Parul and I thank you for your participation!
20 years ago, I was teaching. Having quit my bank job, finished my time as a volunteer for an NGO, and done an MA in English Literature on a whim, I became a lecturer in a boy’s college (yes, 70 odd teenage boys to a class!) , teaching English.
20 Years Ago
It was 1999. And the world was dreading the Y2K problem. But it didn’t affect my life because I hardly used a computer. And I hadn’t heard of a blog! Blogging apparently started around 1994 . But Blogger.com, the platform most of us older bloggers cut our teeth on was launched 20 years ago, in August 1999.
It was only around 2004-05 that I stumbled upon some personal blogs and then found some professional bloggers. One that I particularly followed with great interest was Mridhu Khullar Ralph. It’s great to see that she continues to blog and runs The International Freelancer. By that time, I had quit blogging, started working as a Communications Trainer for an MNC, and having quit that started a Training Company.
At the end of 2007, newly married and with a lot of time on my hands, I started a blog. That was the start of something I never really envisioned – a journey of learning and connecting and constantly growing.
But I’ve digressed.
The Power Of Words
I wanted to tell you that 20 years ago I began to make a series of wrong choices that left me feeling weak and dis-empowered. By 2006, I was broken and at the end of my tether. That’s when I began to read Joseph Murphy’s The Power of Your Subconscious Mind that gave me a whole new start and changed my way of thinking. Words matter!
As I began to blog, I gradually discovered that I too had a voice. I too had words that might make a difference to someone else. In sharing my experiences and knowledge, I could make life a little easier for another. In expressing my truth, I can create space for someone else to share theirs.
As I look back over these 20 years, I’ve realized that they’ve been a journey of words. From teaching, to training, reading all the while and then starting to write.
I’m so looking forward to reading all your posts about what things looked like for you 20 years ago.
It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Shalini at Kohl Eyed Me. There are 28 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 1, 2, 3 November 2019. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
That’s great journey from a blogger to trainer to a founder of a company providing coaching services to other bloggers.
Thanks, Mahati. It’s been a constant search, and I’m still learning all the time.
20 years of sharing, inspiring and soaking the power of words. That’s an impressive and awe-inspiring journey, Corinne!! Well done!!
And the last few years I’ve connnected with lovely people, like you, Shilpa.
It’s true the power to change one’s circumstances lies within. Good you found the motivation from reading the power of a subconscious mind.
Always! Have you read the book, Ruchi?
I’ve made so many career changes, it’s hard to keep up! Glad we’re connected, Parul.
I had not even heard the term ‘blogging’ in 1999 and at that point. I couldn’t even use a computer at that time. I had only seen computers in offices back then. I took up a course from NIIT somewhere in 2001 to learn how to use a computer. This is such a nostalgic post.
I had completely forgotten about the Y2K problem and I am sure it is the same with most of the people. Y2K was a hot topic then. It was akin to the Nostradamus’s Doom’s Day prediction meant for Aug 1999, but for the computer world. Thank goodness you started blogging and the Write Tribe group, Corinne. Thank goodness I became a part of Write Tribe. Thank goodness you touched my life.
Anamika Agnihotri recently posted..The time that was 20 years ago #WordsMatter
Hugs Corinne. You are one of the few bloggers that I still appreciate and I still follow. You have always been an inspiration to me. Same pinch by the way. I used to teach and I also used to work for a bank before. Good to know that about you.
Words do matter and so does each of our voices. Your journey of words was an interesting one to read. I don’t remember how I stumbled across your blog but since that time I have enjoyed reading your blog as well the blogging community that you’ve brought together.
Reema D’souza recently posted..Can I hit reset? #WordsMatter
I love how you’ve related writing to finding your voice, figuratively and metaphorically!
20 years ago how different were our lives! None of us knew each other, none of us knew that in 20 years world and life would change drastically fostering connections through this thing called internet and blogging and hold those connections dearly. I was only a kid in 1999 preparing for my 10th std exams. Life completely changed the next year in the most negative way and the following years saw us putting everything back together bit by bit. I am glad these 20 years are behind me, and I’m thankful too that I got to learn a lot of lessons. Corinne, you made me all nostalgic!
❤️❤️
Vinitha recently posted..Reading with Kids
That’s quite a journey, Corinne! How life changes in 20 years! You start on with something and 20 years down the line you are doing something you might never have envisioned.
I am glad you took up blogging, coz that’s how we met! 😛
What a chequered journey you’ve had Corinne. It’s interesting how life zig zags all over the place to get us where we are now. Blogging was so different in the early years. It’s a pity so many old-time bloggers are no longer around.
Obsessivemom recently posted..Throwback Times
I totally agree that words matter. I listened to the audiobook The power of your subconscious mind’ and it was a game-changer. I actually started feeling strong and the power in my own hands. One good and stong habit I learnt y this book is that now I cure my headache on my own without any medicine. If in an emergency, I have to take one, it cures only when I speak to my mind that I am getting better.
This is a fun prompt and nostalgic at the same time. I am happy I took part this time.
It was nice reading about the various things you have done. That is what has given you such a rich experience which feeds your writing. I always look forward to your posts and the words of wisdom in each of them.
Must say that is an inspiring journey of reading, writing and sharing. More power to you Corinne!
Career changes are good – they mean we’re growing and learning, not just a one-trick pony! It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey; I’m glad you’re in a good place now, Corinne.
Looking back can actually be such a salvation Corinne-it teaches us such important lessons about ourselves. We seldom stop to look back and I just loved how this prompt made me pause for a bit.
Your journey seems pretty interesting and interspersed with the things you love to do the best. So glad you started blogging; or else how would have we met? 😉
I am glad that I met you and got to learn and lot from you till now and also know that I will keep learning. The power of subconscious mind is one of the first books I read (Thanks to my school library). That book helped me develop my critical thinking.
I started following blogs and digging into what blogging was from 2004 Corinne, I was preparing for civil services till then but in 2004 I decided I would not work and would need to find something that I can do staying at home. I still have a small regret to have made that decision, however, life has always been kind to me. Yes I am a deep believer into the power of subconcious, I used to use mindmapping from my school days. Our yoga teacher taught it at school and I follow it till now, I teach it to my students too.
How life changes in 20 years! What an inspiring journey yours is! I’m so glad we met through blogging <3
Shalini recently posted..Letter to My Teenage Self #WordsMatter
That is quite a journey you had in the last 20 years. How life evolves and changes! I am so grateful that our paths crossed because of blogging!
Jyoti Babel recently posted..20 Years Ago #WordsMatter
Corinne, your post oozes the aura of empowerment. I could sort of visualize your life 20 years ago. Truly power of words do make a difference. I now know why I enjoy reading a particualr novel even though I have already watch the story as a movie. Words Matter in its true sense. I have startd blogging from an year and have been quite regular and have made acts of disappearances from writing at times. But, the joy I feel when I publish a post or read someone’s thought provoking blog/poem, the words stay in my memory bank for very long and inspires me to change my perspective some times. I am planning to read Joseph Murphy’s book now. 🙂
What an amazing and inspiring journey you’ve had in the last 20 years, Corinne! I’m so glad we met through blogging and that you were one of my biggest supports and influences in my early days of blogging. Life makes us evolve and change and in the process, we become who we are, and it is one journey that continues for as long as we live! May you continue on this path to self-discovery and be an inspiration for many many more of us…Much love and hugs <3