The Gardener has been in exile from the garden. In fact, the Garden has been for sale for several months and, although a number of people have expressed interest, the right buyer has not yet come along. If and when the right person shows an interest in carrying on, there will be a sale.
Why?
The answer is very simple: The Garden participates in the October breast cancer awareness program, as described in the post below.
There have been more visitors to this site in relationship to that post than ever before in this site’s history.
That post generated more comments than any other post. Many folks took the time to leave a comment in support of the campaign to raise money for the American Cancer Society. In fact, comments are still being posted expressing support.
And yet . . . not a single person participated in the campaign. Not one. Not a single penny was raised.
Why? Well, I have lots of theories, none of which really matter.
The fact that so many people feigned interest and support, but completely failed to follow through, disappointed and discouraged me to the point that I decided to sell the site and quit blogging. In fact, it has taken me many months to muster the strength to sign on and write this post expressing my feelings.
We are by nature flawed and imperfect beings. But that not a single poster stepped up and put his/her money where his/her comment was by actually making a donation was too much for me. Just. too. much.
{ 119 comments }
I hate to say this, but as a blogger who’s been doing this for over a year now, it’s so easy for people to say they support something, but when it actually comes to them opening up their check book, that’s when it becomes just talk and no action. They feel better that they wrote for everyone in the world that they support finding a cure for breast cancer, but how many of them have actually raised any money? How many have done a race for the cure (done it in 2 states with my wife!)?
My wife is raising money for autism (can’t spell today). After the last few times of getting nothing, she put it into her business (selling children’s books) and is donatin month to the autism walk we’re doing in June. Can’t get anyone to out and out donate anything, so we’re doing it ourselved.
I didn’t find your blog until it was long over but would have donated. We donate to quite a few civic concerns not the least of which is cancer research. If you still own the blog this fall I can promise you we will donate something. Also remember we are in a horrible financial/economic crisis which had all charities and organizations struggling this past holiday season.
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I’ve never seen a link to donate – do the writers usually post them in their blog or is there a link somewhere?
There might be lacking on marketing side of campaign. Even a Non-profits need Marketing.
This is my first visit to your blog and it’s quite disheartening that the first thing I read is the magical rose garden losing its magic. Unfortunately for me that I arrived too late as well. But I completely understand where you’re coming from though especially when a campaign that enticing is less than successful. I think our company would have certainly have participated in such a wonderful campaign. Well, I guess now I hope that you do find a good gardener to pass on the garden to who will take good care of it. However, I will still continue to visit your blog just in case there is in fact some magic left in the rose garden.
Have been so long since my last visit to this blog…I didn’t see any update for quite long time. And today surprisingly I read your newest update…I am sorry to hear what has happened. I agree with Mark, maybe we need more campaign.
Beutiful garden in our life is not a flowers but the peaple we meet in our life to help them just we help flowers to grow .
How many people knew about the campaign – I can imagine that a lot of campaigns are started but not enough effort on marketing is spent…
It’s a shame this issue has resulted in you quitting blogging. Maybe you could start selling ad space on your blog? You could raise money that way etc?
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Pretty good article. I like it, keep it up.
Very nice site!
Actually, almost everybody donates for breast cancer in his local position. However, your blog is viewed and surfed by reader worldwide. Sometimes, people may be not sure enough from the blog. It’s better to donate face-by-face, in my opinion.
you should just try again and you will sucecced
Keep your chin up and don’t get discouraged!
It’s a shame to hear you will leave blogging because of that. I know its a disappointment for you, but you should consider it again. There are plenty of other things you can enjoy in blogging, do not let reality get to you.
bissell’s last blog post..Bissell Green Machine
Definitely consider coming back to the blogging world. Don’t let this discourage you!
hmmm… I like a blog post that makes me think.
Glad to see you posting again and I hope you can find a good replacement.
I can certainly understand frustraition with blogging – it can be painful…
Beautiful garden in our life is not the flowers, but the people whom we meet in our life and also let the relation grow as the flowers do.
Keep up the great gardening! It is such hard work! I always enjoy doing it on the weekends!
You can’t give up now. What’s the old addage…try, try, again. You can do it. Now that you know what you’re up against. Keep trying!
Don’t give up! Everything will work out in the end — and if it doesn’t — then its not the end! Hang in there and keep it up!
I found some logic in your post. About donation, you are trying to understand people something. It is good. Anyway, Thanks for your Post!
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good luck in the future – it is hard work this blogging stuff!
I would feel the same way if I were you. All those leading on with nothing to show. I’ll be dishearthend (did I spell that right?), but I won’t lose hope and just quit. My advice is continue what you are doing before and help out with whatever you have.
Best of luck.
A lot of people donate money to the American Cancer Society; just because nobody sent you screenshots to prove it for YOUR campaign doesn’t mean it didn’t happen and for you to quit blogging solely based on that fact is very selfish. Not all people need the satisfaction of other people’s praise.
Sure, it’s nice that you tried to do a nice thing. It didn’t work out – That happens. You fall down, you get back up.
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To say that you quit blogging because of this shows that you were most likely never blogging for yourself in the first place, and blogging for any other reason but for yourself is a wrong reason to start. It’s either that or you are saying that you’re going to quit blogging to generate drama so people feel bad and beg you to stay and keep blogging and you are having a power hungry moment right now and need the satisfaction and support of others to continue. I’m guessing that could be the case and if it is, I hope you stop blogging all together because the last thing the blogosphere needs is another attention-seeking blogger who relies on the acceptance of others to keep up a website.
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I’m very disappointed but…do you think that if where so easy to raise money for a cause like yours this world will continue like is? surely this could be great but now you’ve seen how difficult is enter into people’s heart and, especially into their pocket.
I found some logic in your post. About donation, you are trying to understand people something. It is good. Anyway, Thanks for your Post!
Never give up on your quest. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
I am very sad to read this post. I do know that a couple of bloggers have been helped out in a time of financial crisis and would’ve thought that some people would’ve taken you up on your previous offer.
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I completely understand where you’re coming from though especially when a campaign that enticing is less than successful. people feel bad and beg you to stay and keep blogging and you are having a power hungry moment right now and need the satisfaction and support of others to continue.
Ouch.. It’s really sad to hear about this incident =/ I feel sorry that no one is willing to help out. Sigh.. However you can’t just force people to donate. It should be done from their own free will.
Here well arranged and varied posts appear again and again. I look gladly here past. Many greetings from the center of Germany!
You may give the blog to a person who cares a lot about breast cancer awareness free of charge. He/she can promote your program also. It will be a win-win solution.
Lots of people will say something online that they cant backup up when the times come to actually act. This is something I learned few years ago. You shouldn’t feel discouraged, accept it as something that will happen and keep pushing forward.
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Honestly I’m surprised you are surprised. This is nothing new, people often declare help but when the moment comes they are too lazy or just don’t really care. Sad, but it’s human nature…
Iam very disappoint with this . Saying anything is very easy but to do it is difficult. You should not give up the hope , there will be some way for this.
I am sorry to hear about this. Well it is human nature, it is not easy to find a good help today. But hope is still there so u need to work hard for it. Find someone else
hai. i’ve found your blog from a friend’s blogroll. i can say that u have a really nice blog. keep blogging!
cheers~
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I hate to say this that the people who put their comments say that they are there for the cause and that they are together. What I don’t see is the participation in their own local communities where it is most required.
I agree with one of the commentors here — if this strategy doesn’t work, I suggest you try something else. Something to try is to sell links or blog posts. You can go to forums.digitalpoint.com or payperpost.com and post an ad on selling links.
Great article, i love the gardening references, makes alot of sense.
This is so sad … but don’t give up!
But this is nothing new. This is what people are. Dont get discouraged and leave the blog.
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If you still own the blog this fall I can promise you we will donate something. Also remember we are in a horrible financial/economic crisis which had all charities and organizations struggling this past holiday season.I learned few years ago. You shouldn’t feel discouraged, accept it as something that will happen and keep pushing forward.
I’m sorry to hear about that. It is sad that people can’t donate to a good cause. I would if i had the money to spare. Too bad the country is in such a poor financial state or i’m sure you would have more people willing to donate.
I agree that you should probably think of other ways to raise funds. You can offer exposure for an individual on your blog in exchange for a donation.
What a sad story. Don’t give up.
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