Blogging has easily become one of the most important pop culture features of the world wide web and those who call the triple w's home. Many people have subscriptions to www.livejournal.com, www.myspace.com, www.facebook.com, or a similar blogging forum. Blogs can also be incorporated into webpages, business sites, and a variety of other online sources, but generally, it is a site where an individual (or in some cases a company) can post personal thoughts, opinions, and views on a variety of chosen or requested topics. The actual word BLOG comes from web-log and is defined as any topic related content that is updated on a regular basis in a reverse chronological order (newest entries on top). The entries or "post" are similar to that of a diary, and can be categorized for different topics or "tags".

To consider the possibilities of expressing emotions in a blog format, you must first understand that anything that you post is highly visible and regulated by most blog sites, meaning that what you publish usually has to be approved by y the administrator of the blogging site. This unfortunately means that some topics of interest may not be allowed per the terms and conditions of your chosen host . If you are lucky enough to have your own hosting service and website, your content may be more risque and expressive but you are still responsible for anything that you write . Everything on the internet is traceable, and with it being open for everyone's viewing, you must also consider anything that you say may be used when employers are considering you for employment, for law enforcement purposes, or for anyone looking to find information about you. Be discrete when opening up your soul to your blog site, and know that what you say may be affecting more than your ratings.If you are planning on adding content that may be questionable or if you want to remain unknown and unlinked to the posts, make sure that you have a seperate account for your blog that is using a ficticious name.

I was asked to compare blogging and emotions. Blogging IS emotions. No if's and's or but's about it. Blogging is all about spilling your guts through the keyboard and onto the largest database in the world. It provides a sounding board for your thoughts, your desires, your ups and your downs. The cleansing feeling that you get from expressing your deepest emotions and hardships is more than therapeutical. It's been proven that you are more likely to overcome hard times by expressing yourself emotionally either by writing, singing, dancing, or any other activity that encourages and inspires you.

Writing a blog with your current mood, your physical surroundings, or a hardship can also be something you reflect back on. I am a firm believer in biorythms, which explain your emotional ebb and flow. It is a facinating equation on how you will rise into extreme blissful days and within a certain period of time fall back into a miserable array of angst and sadness. By blogging your emotional state, you can find patterns that help you prepare for your next big dip in cosmic energy. If you are more prepared for your crash landing, it makes it that much easier to accept and trudge through.

Blogging is much more effective, in my opinion, than keeping a basic journal; especially if you publish your blog on sites where you are likely to get great responses from other members. Sometimes the extra support that you receive or the ability to compare stories with another person helps to bring out more of your feelings on a particular topic at the same time as opening your eyes to other views.

To get started with your own blog, you can try any of the sites listed above or 'google search' blogging. Also, for an easy to use and FREE software download for blogging, go to http://wordpress.org and get wordpress now.