"Try, try again! Never give up!"

At the encouragement of my brilliant younger sister, and with the picturing of a gun to my head, I have agreed to give this "blog" craze a go. However, as I sit here, looking at this blank "posting" template, I find myself somewhat intimidated. Actually, as of just over a year ago, I had no idea what a blog even was. Now I am jumping in with both feet.

I have always had trouble keeping a journal, for the simple reason that I always felt that I had to write something meaningful, or clever, or both every time. I read once that to get past those kinds of thoughts, you have to give yourself permission to fail. And so, I give myself permission to fail, and fail miserably. It really is a good philosophy that frees me up to try things I otherwise wouldn't (such as a blog, for instance). And, it applies to so many things.

I have to tell my son many times when he's trying something new, that it's o.k. to mess up. One of his favorite things to say is "Try, try again! Never give up!" (Of course, that usually applies to his parents when we have failed to do something that he has requested of us. But, occasionally he will listen to his own advice.) It is good advice.

Any other good advice for a first-time blogger?