Journaling for October 27, 2025
Marte Cliff wrote a post on October 26, 2025. I hope everyone has a chance to read it. Please be sure to read and leave Marte comments on her blog post too! We are the lucky ones to have Marte on ActiveRain. She reminds me of Abigail Van Buren (Author of the Best of Dear Abby). Abigail was better known as Dear Abby, an American advice columnist and radio show host born on July 4, 1918. She passed away on January 16, 2013. Allow me to share with you a "Dear Abby" quote to ponder.
"A bad habit never disappears miraculously,
it's an undo-it-yourself project."
---Abigail Van Buren
Marte Cliff is our AR (ActiveRain) answer for grammar improvement, serving as a reminder of the value in refining our communication skills. Reflecting on the early days of joining the ActiveRain community, many of us struggled to take the first step toward writing blog posts. The initial hesitation often stemmed from fears of making mistakes or not being "good enough" at writing. Yet, as time passed and relationships within the community deepened, there emerged a common belief among bloggers: grammar help becomes unnecessary as experience grows.
The Comfort Zone Trap: Experience can lead to confidence, but it can also create complacency. As long as blog posts garner points and comments, the drive to improve professional writing skills often diminishes. Bad habits, particularly in grammar and communication, do not simply disappear with time. Without deliberate effort to address and correct them, these habits become ingrained and even harder to overcome. That’s where Marte can be very helpful!
Honesty: A crucial strength for any successful business owner is the ability to be honest with oneself. Recognizing the need for improvement is not a sign of weakness, but of maturity and commitment to excellence. Just as a home that lacks regular maintenance becomes unattractive to buyers, poor writing—riddled with uncorrected mistakes—can turn away potential clients or friends. The professional image we project through our words is vital; people notice and judge us by how we write.
First Impressions: Mistakes and errors in our writing that go unaddressed can have lasting negative effects. Written communication is often the first impression; poor grammar can undermine credibility and professionalism. It may even jeopardize opportunities or business growth. Regular self-assessment and openness to feedback are essential to ensure that our skills remain sharp and our message clear.
I’m Not Perfect: Continuous improvement in grammar and communication should be a priority for anyone seeking long-term success in blogging or business. Embracing advice like Marte suggests and being honest about our areas for growth allow us to maintain a high standard of professionalism. Ultimately, investing in our writing skills is not just about acquiring points or comments—it is about building a reputation of reliability, competence, and respect in the eyes of our audience and peers.
GOOD GRAMMAR NEVER GETS OLD OR GOES OUT OF STYLE
That's what Marte taught me.
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