Editor’s note: hang in there with this article, there is a New England travel element to the post!

Recently at a Britt Nicole concert, the talented Christian singer struck a wonderful balance with her audience, singing her values-based songs of inspiration and conversing with her audience. During an extended talk about the importance of believing in oneself and striving to be as authentic as possible, Nicole said, “Let’s keep it real here, folks!” The audience greeted her with huge applause.

Until that night, I had never heard of Britt Nicole, but the line about “keeping it real” had a profound effect on me almost instantly and gave me a great appreciation of this entertainer. Looking around at the hundreds attending the concert at The Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Mass., virtually every person — from elementary school kids to senior citizens – seemed to listen to every word spoken. That struck me as miraculous as I have felt more and more over the past 15 years or so that our listening skills as a nation have, sadly, deteriorated greatly.

Virtually all eyes focused on Britt and not because of her attractiveness but rather her faith-inspiring words. Although she is clearly religious, I believe her thoughts transcended a rigid theological point of view into a mainstream America population in great need of a pop culture star far removed from the immoral, bad influences of many of today’s entertainers. How refreshing!

The concert got me thinking on a grander, more societal scale about what matters most — that is, being a good listener, having a higher faith whether religious or not, treating others well, and staying true to yourself. In other words, don’t try to be someone that you are really not.

Getting down to work the following morning on my New England travel sites, I thought of the industry I work where things can get sometimes quite discouraging. The phony online reviews that can destroy an otherwise good business. The social media gurus with hundreds of thousands of followers that stress the importance of communicating with others while not bothering to follow their own advice. The make-thousands-of-dollars-a-day solicitations that have risen to a duplicitous art form. The elitist travel or dining experts that have to resort to sarcasm or evasiveness to address their own perception of a less sophisticated fan who simply and sincerely asks a question. The mean person that verbally attacks just because you have a different opinion. I remember one one person pretty much questioned my integrity as a human being just because I like Papa Gino’s (a New England chain restaurant) pizza. We can do better than that, can’t we folks (and I’m not talking about the pizza!)? I think so!

We often live in a shallow, sometimes disingenuous society but it really doesn’t have to be that way. We can be nice in our personal and professional lives, it really doesn’t take a lot of effort.

With all that said, let me share some perspectives on how I try my best to “keep it real” when with my travel sites…

I know when working the editorial and social media sides of VisitingNewEngland.com, The Thrifty New England Traveler and VisitingCooperstown.com, the main focus is to write with civility, sincerity and balance, try my best to keep everything positive, and to stay in touch with my audience. We would never resort to a vicious attack on a business — or, an another level, using slick marketing trickery to falsely describe a business, attraction or destination all in the name of the mighty buck. I can tell you, we are not here to promote but instead tell stories straight from the heart.

Our layout and design might not be the best, the stories don’t focus on selling something and my traffic and earnings, like many other small businesses, have taken a hit because of the bad economy. It is what it is, and as long as you’re happy with the content, I am, too.  Just let me know what I can do to make the online experience better for you — you know, to “keep it real” for you!

Additionally, we know how many of you are struggling financially, so that is why I started this Thrifty New England Traveler blog. I like to think of the blog as the opposite of those self-absorbed ads and brochures with female and males models putting on big, phony smiles (or, sometimes, oddly, pouting!), while being pictured in exclusive, very expensive vacation spots. Nothing wrong with splurging once in a while, but, come on, let’s leave the attitude and narcissism behind and get real! I know you work hard for your money and it can be a struggle saving for a vacation — or even a day trip. At the Thrifty New England Traveler blog, I share with you hundreds of ideas on how to travel New England on a budget. The blog was born out of our own need to travel wisely and frugally. I remember, as an example, our pastor once suggesting that it might not be the wisest thing to spend  a $1,000 for a oceanfront Cape Cod resort vacation when it turns out rain is forecasted for the entire week. Sometimes, it’s better and, ultimately, more fun and less frustrating to take a day trip on a sunny day to a beach with free access!

Despite the challenges of owning a small business in a troubled economy, discouragement will never permanently settle in my heart and mind because I have met and corresponded with some of the nicest, most wonderful people through my web sites and on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest. These are people that truly love New England travel, and, more importantly converse in a civil, pleasant manner. Even if I need to work a second job — which I am looking into right now — I will always keep my travel sites live for our readers. You really keep us going and I thank-you so much for that!

When someone writes or tells me in person that an article I wrote has helped them with the given New England travel subject matter at hand, it makes my day knowing someone is happy. When that happens more than once in a day, the feeling is incredible. You see, one can feel like a million bucks while earning only a fraction of that.

And a sense of purpose prominently stands because, as Britt Nicole implies, being true to oneself is the single most important thing you can do. In this case, I look forward to communicating with you — not at you — about all that is wonderful about New England travel.

So let’s continue keeping it real, folks!

Some articles that perhaps might inspire your New England travel:
Staying at The Inn at Woodstock Hill
Feeling a deep connection with The FarmCoast
Discovering scenic beauty near Boston at World’s End in Hingham
Falling in love with the only Henniker on earth
Visiting Onset, Mass., as an alternative to Cape Cod
A monastery in Wrentham, Mass., where nuns make and sell handmade chocolates
The best New England ice cream stands
Exploring West Brookfield, Mass., a classic New England small town
Salem Willows Park in Salem, Mass., is like a downtown for kids
Walpole, N.H. will get you in a New England state of mind
Bellows Falls might not Vermont’s prom queen, but it has an attractiveness of its own