Endings Create New Beginnings

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
- Mahatma Gandhi

After much contemplation, consultation with friends and a fellow blogger, and even prayer, I’ve decided to make this my final post on NuVision for a NuDay. This blog has served its purpose for my life. And it will continue to serve its purpose with others long after I have published this final post. Although I will not post any more entries here on this blog, I will leave the blog up, with the hope that the content on this blog will continue to enlighten, empower, inspire, educate, uplift, and liberate anyone that stumbles upon this site.

This blog really had a three-fold purpose. (And this is not in any ranking order.)

1. To provide me with an outlet to express my ideas, thoughts, and experiences that I’ve had as a blind woman.
There are times that it was just plain therapeutic to just get it out, whatever it was that I was feeling at the moment, even if releasing it was not going to change nothing at all. Having it here on the blog was better than having it bottled up in my head. There were times that the pain was so excruciating, but writing my thoughts gave me some relief. I can’t explain it. It just did.
And there were other times that I would come here to the blog and write about an experience that I felt was completely unique to me, an experience that made me feel foreign, different from the rest of the world. But somehow, I felt like once it was here, posted up on the blog, there was a reflecting glass, a mirror, to allow me to see that my experience may have been “unique”, but it was not foreign. It was similar to many of the experiences of others. (I really can’t totally explain it. Forgive me.)
It was also practice for me to start writing more. This blog has helped me think of myself as a writer. And since writing is definitely a segment of my calling from God, I certainly needed to see myself in that vein.
And since I know that I will one day publish a book that details my personal experiences, I really needed to get used to having my personal business on front street. This blog helped me become more comfortable with revealing some very private things, tucked away emotions, fractured imperfections, shortcomings, and vulnerable parts of myself to the world. Revealing myself, showing who I really am is a part of God’s plan for my life. So, I needed this blog to get used to that.

2. It allowed me to shed light on the experiences of a blind woman.
Basically, I started this blog and will keep it here on the net to continue to educate individuals about what it is like to be blind in this country. And that is the reason why I’m keeping the blog up. It’s an educational tool that I hope will be successful in shattering any stereotypes, clearing up any misunderstandings, and decreasing any possibilities of disability discrimination.
I felt that people needed to know that a blind person can clearly communicate ideas, use technology (the computer), and maintain a blog. So often, people think that all blind people can maybe do is play a musical instrument. Well, guess what… This blog proves that blind people have all kinds of talents that have nothing to do with a keyboard or a harmonica. (No disrespect to Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.)

3. And the last purpose for this blog was to inspire.
I want anyone that stops here to know that they can not only make it, but they can achieve, succeed, and overcome any obstacle that is before them.
The dark moments of life often come. But keep your eyes on the One who has the power to aluminate any dark situation. He will guide you and help you see your way through the dark times of life. You don’t have to be afraid.
It is my prayer that all, who visit Nuvision, will look at my life and realize that they can face life with determination and strength. I am a winner, a champion, an overcomer. And guess what… So are you!

There are a couple of things that I would like to say before signing off.
I want to first point out that I have been blogging since March 2006. That’s pretty darn good. Yes, I know that there are some hardcore bloggers that have been putting it down for years. But I’m still proud of my three and a half year run. That’s a long time to blog consistently. And another thing… This is my 300th post. Yes, 300th… Wonderful, isn’t it?
Secondly, I want to thank my brother, Pastor Heber Brown. This brother is the reason why I ever started blogging in the first place. His blog, Faith in Action On Line, was the first blog that I ever paid any attention to. It was the first blog that I posted a comment on. And it was the first blog that ignited my passion for political blogs. Heber, was also the first blogger to link my blog in a bloggle. He also convinced me not to stop blogging 100 posts ago. He’s always been quite supportive! (I’m telling you that the brotha is alright with me.)

Let me take some time to answer some questions that you may have.

Why have you decided to stop posting content here at your blog, NuVision for a NuDay?
It was decided for me. I feel drawn into another direction, a higher place in my development. In order for me to rise to that higher place, I had to close this chapter. That has become more and more clear to me as I’ve battled within myself to keep up this blog. There is a season for everything; and this season has passed.

Will this be the last you see of Angie?
Nope… I will continue to receive comments from this blog in my personal e-mail. You’re also welcomed to contact me via e-mail at angie.braden@gmail.com. And always feel free to check out my home on the web for my speaking and training business. http://www.bradenspeaks.com It’s under construction right now. But next month, it will be up and running.

What’s next for you?
I will finish some major writing projects. I will channel my creative energy to make some money. I will finish my book. I will also launch my career as a professional speaker. Oh yeah… I will strengthen my teaching skills so that I can be a successful college instructor. (Yes, I’m teaching at a local college now. Isn’t that great?)

In closing, I wish all of you the best. Thank you for visiting the blog. Thank you for allowing me to share a piece of me with you.

NuVision for a NuDay has been my baby for the last three years. But this extension of myself will now have to stand on its own. Of course, if someone reaches out to me through this blog, I will respond. But the maintenance of this blog as it pertains to posting new content has ended as of today. Over the next two weeks, I’ll organize the posts and make them easy for people to find what they may be perhaps looking for.

With love, hope, and contentment,
Ms. Angela L. Braden
Award Winning Blogger and Upcoming Author