Last week I posted on my thoughts to close this blog and end a year and a half of blogging, commenting and discussion. Reviewing many factors, I wasn’t very pleased with what this blog had become and what I’d gained from my time here.
After thinking about the matter for another week, listening to the ideas of others on how to move forward, and remembering why I began A Lofty Existence, I’ve decided I will not close the blog, nor will I stop writing. For now.
It is true, as some may have noticed, I no longer have the time or enthusiasm to dedicate to this blog. I’ve also encountered behavior I hadn’t planned on from various visitors and commenters, past and present, which made blogging that much more of a hardship. But I plan to change that around. I try to give 100 percent in all of my endeavors and see it all the way through, so this blog shouldn’t be an exception.
However, there will be some major changes in the way this blog is set up and moderated, particularly involving commenting and interaction. The Commenting page will be updated shortly with these new guidelines, but here is a preview:
-No comments of a hostile nature will be accepted. This includes name-calling, bullying, and other personal attacks.
If you are a new commenter, your comment will not be approved, if you’ve commented in the past, your comment will be deleted when it is read and judged to be hateful or malicious. Debates are fine, fights are not. As always, attack the argument, not the person. Absolutely no exceptions. Just none.
I would like everyone to pay special attention to the above so there will be no surprises or resentment if your comment is deleted. As the owner of the blog I have to attempt to bring some harmony. Even if we are well-acquainted, you are not free to disregard this guideline.
–No comments using a proxy or IP cloaking will be accepted. If your visit can not be properly recorded, then neither will your comment.
–All emails sent to my blog email address must be related to the blog. Emails of a personal nature will not be replied to. Personal comments directed towards me will be replied to at my discretion. I’d like to be friendly with all the blog’s visitors, but let’s keep the friendship contained to the blog.
–If three or more of your comments have been deleted and/or never approved, you should take it as a sign that your comments are not welcome on the blog. It’s already too late for apologies.
Overall, I want to emphasize that comments and/or commenters that are meant to be hurtful, spiteful, or invasive will not be given the green light. I’m good at judging intent, but I’m not good at forgiving. Keep that in when you’re thinking of clicking,”Post Comment”.
I am not adding these guidelines to be tough or strict, but it’s clear that they are currently needed for the overall welfare of the blog and its commenters. If you’re commenting with good intent and boundaries, you’ll never have to worry about anything.
As for my posting schedule, I will try to post once or twice a week, minimum, though I can’t make any guarantees. I will also try to post these on the same day, every week, but the best way to know when new posts have been published is to subscribe using one of the options on the sidebar.
The first post following this time frame should be published late this week or early next week. Thanks to everyone for your support and understanding.
aloftyexistence 
