It is obvious that you put your heart into your blog, both the illustrations and the stories. Admittedly they are sometimes very sad, yet very moving for us as well as for you, as you write. I think you should continue to do what you wish to fulfill your own needs for self-expression! It seems to be an underlying message in your writing too.

Anyway, keep up the great work, whatever you choose to do, Trevor.

I wonder, why are you writing?

If this is a journal for you, reflective of the things that you need to record in writing and pictures, then it will be most honest and worthwhile if you write as the spirit moves you.

Sometimes I feel uncomfortable after reading the stories you share...often because you have opened a viewpoint that I don't encounter in my daily journey, or because you have pointed out a truth which I don't want to see or recognize.

That I am sometimes uncomfortable doesn't mean that you should change your story-sharing. It may mean that I am not ready, today, for that story, or that the story touches a powerful Truth, which is not always a comfortable place (for any soul) to be. And I might be moved to do something different in response to that discomfort.

So write as you are moved, please!

Mr. Romain,
You say that you are wondering whether to continue writing your blog entries in the same way as before or to institute some changes. Personally, I have enjoyed reading it so far, given the current format and content. However, no one can accurately answer the question that you have put forth except for yourself. If you feel that the blog no longer gives you the same satisfaction as it did six months ago, when you began writing it, then you should change it. Likewise, if you are bored and want to experiment, then no one has the authority to stop you. On the other hand, if someone does not like what they see on the blog, they are free to go elsewhere for their daily reading material. The Dancing Hamster website might still be up somewhere. That being said, I would like to restate the fact that your writing and illustrations, as they are, are very good and this particular reader sees no reason to "tweak" anything.

Leave it just how it is. It's an inspiration and a joy to read every single day. In fact, there's an alarm that lets me know every time you update so that I can run over and read it. Keep up the good work!

I love it just the way it is! I will continue to check in daily no matter how you proceed!

I enjoy coming to your site as it is. The point remains - it is your labor of love. Do what you will...people will come (or go), and find those pieces that speak to their souls. Thank you for sharing with all of us readers so much already. Wherever you end up with this, i'm sure it'll be great, so long as you stay true to yourself. So my vote says it's fully up to you. I'm just along for the ride ;).

I love your blog, but I admit I primarily subscribe for the drawings. I do read the text most days, but tend to skim through it if I know the contents are going to be too much for me. It's easy for me to be derailed by too much emotion, and since I have my own books to write, I try not to get derailed, and jump ahead if I have to. Having said that, I very seldom jump ahead. Blessings.

Terry

Geee Trevor, I hope you didn't think I would stop reading because of the intensity of your well written posts?! Your compassion and pathos are relentless and overwhelming for me on a daily basis but that is beside the point. I love blogs passionately because they are pure expressions of their owners. Maybe you are an intensely emotional person and can do your service work as a result? How admirable that is. Maybe your personal nervous system is hard wired for a constant level of deeply felt and meaningful empathy with humanity? It takes all kinds. And/or maybe you thought being "moving" was the only way we'd all be touched by you? Not true.

You have written enough life enriching posts for me to always check your blog, so like others are saying, please don't take us readers into account in your decision making.

Changing the tone of your blog?

It isn't in my crystal ball.

Rock on, Trevor.

Ah, this an old gypsy woman _knows_...even without fortune telling cards or tea leaves.

I read two blogs everyday. You and Kim du Toit. It is a nice balance. I am not always ready for your posts and sometimes put off reading an entry for a few days. I enjoy the fact that you leave the month up to easily scroll back through if I need to catch up. I love the drawings.

But, then again, I am part of the self-selected group that stayed. Maybe you should ask those who left. Or not, it is YOUR blog.

i love reading your blog - as i said the other day - it often makes me stop and 'think'
sometimes it makes me sad and sometimes it makes me happy

BUT
it's your blog - and you need to enjoy what you do

i would miss it if it went though

did that make any sense ?
_____________________________________________________
Absolutely! Thanks - Trevor

I think it's fantastic. If you were making up the stories, it would be too sad. But as it is, they're real stories of real people, and wonderfully inspiring. Don't change a thing!

I'm late to this party. I need my hard heart softened daily. You help do that.

I think you are a gift.

I don't know if there is any "Payoff" but it's worth the time for those of us on the read not write end.

I recently discovered a wonderful man's words and so enjoy reading his articles and as time permits, I look forward to reading his blog or what I enjoy calling ... "Heart Thoughts".

Yesterday I read an incredible article of his, which I truly believe you may enjoy, as well as, others who happen to discover his below link from reading your comments section,
(I read this section, as I enjoy reading the empowering and encouraging messages others leave you).

Here is one paragraph I particularly enjoyed of Mr Pavlina's:

"If you commit to following the path of courage, you will ultimately be forced to confront what is perhaps the greatest fear of all - that you are far more powerful and capable than you initially realized, that your ultimate potential is far greater than anything you've experienced in your past, and that with this power comes tremendous responsibility. You may not be able to solve all the woes of this planet, but if you ever do commit yourself 100% to the fulfillment of your true potential, you can significantly impact the lives of many people, and that impact will ripple through the future for generations to come."
~ The Courage to Live Consciously, by Steve Pavlina
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/courage-to-live-consciously.htm

Now, you have already experienced much success ... I believe there is more coming, not only for you, yet for all of us if we are courageous enough to move forward – in spite - and my personal encouragement to you is this:

Follow Your Heart regardless of our encouragement or comments.

Where does it lead you?
(and this could apply to any area within your life)

When you know this ... the next step will lead to even more success and no I do not mean money and fame or more people reading you …
I mean the simple feelings that come from a place of no doubt or hesitation. For me that is personal success...

'This is right and I know it without a doubt in my Being.'
...and of course that breeds more success and we end up sharing that success ... each of us in different ways.

Secondly in regards to 'sad' or 'depressing' topics ... this quote speaks to my heart:

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?"
~ Kahlil Gibran

And lastly this is something I have to work at and on, sooooo darned often ...
releasing other's expectations of me. I am always so amazed at people whom seem to have mastered this. I hope you enjoy this last quote:

"If you focus on what others expect of you, you'll continue to act on and attract more of what they desire for you. But when you can shift your inner thoughts to what you intend to create and attract into your life, you will no longer have to give mental energy to what others want for you."
~ The Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Please continue to share as your Heart leads, Trevor.

~Shannon
The Rose Within
PS.
These words I try to live by ... not always easy ... but I make little steps forward everyday and sometimes Big Giant Amazing steps forward!

I think your blog is wonderful the way it is.

Dear Trevor,

As you already know i'm your biggest fan and would be devastated if you changed one iota of your blog. Your heartfelt words help push me to be a better person. They make me think about what i can do to make the world a kinder place. Your illustrations are lovely! You are a blessing!

Love, Violette

Trevor,
reading your blog for me is like getting a letter from a dear friend, one who lives far away. Please don't change the blog. I like to laugh as much as anyone, but the entries that have moved me the most, the ones that bring me back, are the ones that have brought tears. Keep up the good work!

Trevor, I know you have already decided to keep your blog the way it is, but I would just like to say that reading your blog each day renews my faith in humanity. You are a gift, and I look forward to reading your loving thoughts about the world.
Julie

Trevor, please don't change, it is you and what you see.

Hi Trevor,
I am not only new to your site but new to blogging in general. Your site and Danny G's bring me much joy, connection and inspiration. I really love how you allow yourself to feel deeply. This take courage. I have been struggling with my own feelings about publishing a blog. Your blog cuts to the core of things. Unvarnished. Please just do what ever you want on your site. That is the gift you give to us...just being you.
Lindsay

Trev,

Honestly, I have to put your blog down for a while now and then, as it is very heavy. But, yours is the only blog that effects me this way. So while I can identify with your friends who say it is sad or depressing, I can also see that you take up a special place in the blogosphere, as what you write is unique.

Also, really, what you do is Art with a capital A. What kills Art? Listening to other people. So I say, ignore everyone and do what you love.

Thanks man,

Stu Mark
Redondo Beach, CA

I love your blog just how it is. While the stories are sad they are also inspiring and remind me how human we all are, and how much of an impact making someone else smile has on them, and me. I hope you don't change a thing.

Please count me as one of the faithful ... one of the converted! I have you listed in my Bloglines subscriptions so that I can always see when there is something new to read and I share with friends when the mood strikes. My life has had an enormous downswing lately with disablity (my husband) and abandoment (my beloved elder son). Your blog is a bright spot in my day. The tears it sometimes brings are not like the ones that I cry at other times of the day.

Thank you.

Dom doos. Why would you change your own personality?

The world you live in is filled with both victory and losses. Sometimes it is very difficult to read your posts and sometimes they make me very sad. Other times they are like chickensoup for the soul. They lift my spirits and bring me hope of a better tomorrow. Sometimes after a difficult day of trying to be there for children and teenagers with serious problems my soul is chrushed by the ugliness the world has to offer some of them. Then I read your blog and read about the beautiful person that you are and the wonderful things you do. My spirits lift and I remember that there are beautiful, kind and generous people out there. People who care about the once who can't stand up for themselves. For those who need a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. For those who need someone to send them an encouraging smile or simply be there friend.

Your blog is the only blog I read regularly. My husband came across it in his daily blogreadings and pointed it out to me. Told me that this was the most beautiful blog he had ever seen and that this one I should read. So I did and I am so glad I did.

I was out of town for some time now so I am catching up. I allready saw that you are not going to change it and for that I am glad.
Never the less I wanted to give you my response to your question.

Keep up the good work you beautiful man.
Anna

Ultimately the choice is yours, I love your blog, and I love you!

I too would suggest leaving this blog the way it is...

I think that reading your blog today has done the opposite of weighing me down...it has inspired me to be a better person...

To be a less shallow person...to risk careing again...as I had shut myself off to feeling so much...

To value my life and to fully live it...

To not be afraid to be comforting to those I do not know...to not be afraid to get involved...Mr. Romain...I have four sons...and if they were all like you...I would die a happy woman...

God Bless You...as you continue your journey...I will be coming back to visit you here....Love Linda