Update on 1/19/18:  My memoir Angels in the OR: What Dying Taught Me About Healing, Survival, and Transformation can be pre-ordered now.  It is a #1 new release in several categories.

Blogs That Are Read Around the World

I’ve only been blogging about my near-death experience, spirituality, recovery from tragedy, healing, healthy eating, and other topics since March 20, 2016, and what a beautiful experience blogging has proven to be.  My near-death experience was listed on NDERF’s website of exceptional near-death accounts, and since that listing I’ve received beautiful notes from people all around the world.

Today, out of random curiosity, I looked to see which countries around the world had viewers of my blog.   What proved most most interesting are the countries not represented:  North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kirgizstan, Mongolia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and several countries in Africa, although I did have views in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Namibia, South Africa, and Morocco.  Most countries around the world were represented, and I chuckled for a moment, wondering who in Nambia read my blog. (I sent all the viewers love on their journey:-)  It made sense that no one from North Korea had viewed my blog.  If a blogger has a view in North Korea, that view is probably from a foreigner or reporter visiting North Korea. North Koreans do not have access to information in the same way that most countries allow.

Connection: The views from around the world pleased me not from a place of ego, but from a place of happiness that other blogs about healing and other more well-known blogs with helpful information are widely available around the world.  Years ago growing up in the country, I read books as a way to expand my mind.  I read Invisible Man at a young age, and this book deeply and profoundly helped me understood racism in the USA.  At young ages, I also read books by Alan Watts and C.S. Lewis.  I read books like The Autobiography of Gandhi, Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.  Although books are fantastic, I know I would have enjoyed certain online communities and the connections I could have made at that isolated time of my life.  Now, people can read a story from someone’s life with the click of a button, even on their mobile device.

Technology has certainly had some detrimental effects on many individual’s health and some aspects of life in general, but knowledge is power and personal connections expand our hearts and make us feel more connected.  Most societies are moving toward open dialogues about many topics not discussed in the past, and this is great improvement.   Oppression often begins with saying that one leader’s opinion or one way of thinking is the only right way to think.  Even saying that one religion is the only correct religion for everyone is a form of oppression.  Oppression of expression and information is certainly evident in places like North Korea.  We should feel grateful that most of the world has the freedom to share stories and express beliefs.

I love the affirming, supportive communities I’ve found while blogging.  I enjoy many Facebook groups about mindfulness, healthy eating, near death experiences, and other topics.  Ninety-nine percent of my interactions have been incredibly positive with other bloggers and readers of blogs.  However, after making a couple of YouTube videos, I have experienced a very small taste of the hate culture out there.  I’ve seen much more of it expressed toward well-known writers and activists who I admire and enjoy.

Oh YouTube:  I only aim to bring healing to those who might benefit from my words and entertain a few others.  In a world of information, a viewer can click away to another story that brings him or her joy.  One important lesson from my near death experience is that life is short and meant to be enjoyed.  Every person lost in a rage of nasty YouTube comments or blog responses is mostly hurting himself or herself.  These people are stewing in negativity when they could be loving themselves and bringing themselves joy by focusing on what brings them joy.  Consider watching and reading what brings you joy and click away from what doesn’t.

I’ve mainly been attacked by evangelicals who are upset that I didn’t see Jesus during my NDE.  Luckily, I can delete these comments on my blog.  During my NDE, I felt a certain Christ consciousness, a loving energy, and a direct statement to be like a little child and to love openly and enjoy the natural world deeply.  Many NDEers do not see religious figures. I will go on record ahead of time before my book is published and say that my book will not appeal to evangelicals.  In a world full of information, I hope evangelicals find what they love and what brings them happiness and peace.  Happiness and inner peace is my hope and wish for all beings.  My work will reach the people it is meant to reach, and that is the beauty of the information age.  Readers can and will eventually find what makes them feel more whole, connected, entertained, and alive.

And may more bloggers reach citizens residing in North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kirgizstan, Mongolia, Cuba, and Saudi Arabia.   Information is not only power, it is healing and stories connect us.

“Imagine all the people
Living life in peace… You…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one…

…Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…”

–-John Lennon