Writing, as a form of therapy, is as old as ink itself. Universally understood as a transformative process, the simple act of putting pen to page can effectively jump start personal growth and healing.

Over the years I’ve had more than a handful of sessions on a therapist’s couch sorting through the baggage I’ve built, bought, borrowed and inherited in my 48 years. Without exception, each qualified practitioner proposed the following recommendation: start and keep a daily journal.

Seems much angst and worry can be worked through with pen and paper. Yet for reasons that can only be explained as part of ‘my personal charm,’ my journal keeping would start and lapse in record time. Nevertheless, I knew the writing process to be powerful despite my inability to be consistent. Once, after managing to hold my journaling nose to the grindstone for 13 weeks, I leapt tall buildings made of artist block and landed on the other side, with renewed energy and fabulous paid work.

And yet, despite my success, I quickly discontinued putting my thoughts on paper.

Miraculously, last spring, my lifelong writing inertia evaporated with the click of a computer button. As easy as one, two, three, I started my own on-line journal, more commonly known as a blog.

A blog is a web log comprised of a series of posts, about the author’s choice of subject, from professional to personal. Every entry is date and time stamped as they are published, giving the material the feel of a traditional diary.

Blog procedure is exceedingly simple and free for anyone with access to a computer. I type my thoughts, press the publish toggle and instantly my rants and raves go live on the World Wide Web. There is no middle person, web mistress, publisher or editor to be found. Blog control post, pace and frequency is in the blogger’s hands.

However, there is one distinct motivating difference between your traditional hard copy diary hidden away, under the bed, and your blog. Blogging offers a possible audience.

My first thought was to use a blog to share the unusual adventure of my Calendar Girl life and draw attention to the Breast of Canada project. It took no time to realize that a following of fans was a big buzz, injecting tremendous energy into the somewhat relentless process of making, marketing and moving 3000 calendars every year.

My second blog took on a digest format offering alternative breast related news that was a simple by-product of my role of publisher.

Blog number three was born thanks to a peri-menopausal fit of memory and hair loss. Fondly called ‘My Menopause Blog, How to Punctuate Life Without a Period,’ This effort truly fits the therapeutic writing model and contributes enormously to my state of mind.

Writing publicly about my petulant period, in real time, is like inviting a bunch of menopausal women over for tea and a heart-to-heart. Not surprising, scaling the dome of silence surrounding menopause, and talking above a whisper about ‘The Pause’ resonates deeply with women readers.

Shooting from the hip and funny bone, I share my findings of remedies, attitude shifts and my belief that menopause is not a disease. Thinking broadens with each entry; confidence grows as does understanding and a liberated sense of ageing. My Menopause Blog is like a cyber red tent for anyone interested in musing on maturity.

Eventually, curiosity lead to an on-line exploration of blog networks, blog rolls and search engines to see if other women were writing about their lives, health and well being.

Turns out, they are. Thousands of blogs are written by new moms, freshly divorced, empty nesters, the menopausal, survivors of cancer, stay at home parents, clinically depressed and chronically curious. Photos are up-loaded. Advice is sought. Human contact is collected by way of comments that reader’s leave like cyber hugs. There’s a whole lot of contact being made between people separated by geography, but connected by circumstance.

Clever blog names are common with blog owners. Ellie at This is My Body, This is My Blood offers a hilarious window into her peri-menopausal pity party. ‘I’m Out of Estrogen and It’s Not Pretty’ provides a window into Victoria’s menopausal life. A group blog that I randomly come across claims: “Running this blog is about 50,000 times cheaper than a good therapist.”

This new cyber kid on the block follows a blogger code of conduct that creates a safe, encouraging and friendly zone where you can let yourself hang out, be human and be heard. Not everyone writes like a professional, although there are excellent pro bloggers leading many a parade of readers. Countless circles of similarly focused, differently skilled people gather in and share the Blogosphere.

My greatest blogging benefit comes from my daily commitment to write just like the psychologists suggested. I clear my head, sort out my hormone-scattered feelings, get cheered on and remind myself that life is dynamic. Indeed, the cyber trail documentation of my menopausal mood swings is time stamped proof.

Earning your health care degree online can help provide you with a better education and a more complete set of skills than traditional classroom settings provide. Many people want to help others and choose a career in health care for a personally fulfilling line of work. Acquiring a health care degree online may allow individuals to aim for better positions in the work force and provide room for growth to higher salaries.

Choice and Quality of Programs

Program options for online education are increasing. Individuals can invest in the areas and number of courses they prefer, from taking a course or two in criminal justice courses to acquiring a health care degree online. Businesses and employers recognize online education to be just as good as degrees earned in traditional settings, and many employers respect the self-motivation and determination of those who choose independent study to get ahead.

Employers also recognize that online education has vastly improved in the area of quality. The material studied in courses for a health care degree online is no different from courses taught in classrooms or on campuses. In fact, online courses may provide a better quality of education, as material is concise and usually very focused. Traditional classroom courses involve lectures that can get sidetracked by questions or discussions. With online courses, recorded lectures stay on topic the length of the audio program.

Flexible Study

Studying for a health care degree online involves plenty of flexibility for the student. While traditional learning involves students gathering in auditoriums for lectures, online education involves only the student and the course material and the environment for learning is the student’s choice. Any setting is fine for listening to audio lectures, thanks to the technology of mp3 players. Many students prefer copying their lectures from CD to mp3 player, taking their courses on the go. Combining another activity with listening to lectures, such as exercising at the gym, taking walks, or going for a bike ride, can both save time and make learning more interesting and enjoyable.

Working While Studying

The advantages of studying for a health care degree online come mainly from the ability to earn credits towards a degree while still working, an attractive option to many people.

Attending school on campus in a traditional setting may mean a full-time commitment for students for a period of two years or more. Working during spare hours isn’t often an option, and the student cannot earn income while studying or becomes stressed while trying to put in a full day at school and then another long shift at a job.

Obtaining a health care degree online means that students can choose to study the number of courses they prefer, allowing them to keep their full-time job and work towards earning a degree as well. That situation may mean that the student takes longer to obtain his or her degree, but does so with less debt and also meeting financial responsibilities. The flexibility of being able to earn an income while working towards a health care degree online is appealing.

Location of Student

Location may also be a factor in choosing to earn a degree online or at an educational facility. For those individuals who live in rural areas outside cities where schools are often located or who cannot travel to the school of their choice, online education is a viable and solid option to increasing knowledge and skill. Earning a health care degree online is as attainable to the student living beside a campus as it is for the student living in a tiny town tucked away far from any metropolitan city.

The choice of deciding to earn your health care degree online or in traditional classroom setting depends on your preference for independent study and flexibility, as well as your location, family situation, and financial obligations. Whichever form of education you choose to receive, increasing knowledge and skill levels boosts your appeal to potential employers and provides opportunity for higher salaries or better positions in the field of health care.