Giving Thanks

I just wanted to give thanks to you… For showing up here to read these posts. I know you’ve got a full life, an overfull life. And when things are going great, it’s manageable. It doesn’t take much for the one more thing to throw everything else off. That’s when things fall off the calendar, schedules go wonky and people get overlooked. I don’t want to overlook you.

That’s why I’m taking some time to let you know how much I appreciate you. I don’t know what led you here or why you stayed, but maybe today you’ll comment and tell me how it happened.

There isn’t enough encouragement in the world. People are not positively affirmed as often as they need it and they may not even know where to go to have someone cheer them on. My dad was that for me and when he was gone, there was no place for me to get that anymore. I realized then, that no one would ever be able to encourage me the way he did. This blog grew out of a desire to share with anyone who needed or wanted it all that he poured into me.

It may surprise you but occasionally I have days that I wonder if I should keep writing. Sometimes the question just bubbles up. No sooner is it asked, then someone miraculously appears to tell me how much this blog has meant to them. Those stories from you keep me going.

One such person sent me a message–showed up like an angelic postcard–on a night when I really wondered what the point was if I was on the right track. (I’ve mentioned this before, but it still astounds me.)

Another person I occasionally run into (in real) life has become so much happier, even though there is chaos all around, she is largely unaffected and she mentioned that some crippling migraines have diminished exponentially.

Another mentioned that a relative was suffering a terrible loss and steered them toward this blog. It offered hope to them. And I was humbled to bear such a calling. One dear soul wanted to write her story and finally felt empowered to do it. All of those things matter to me.

On this side of the screen, it’s hard to know who is affected. Hard to see whose lives are touched. I just want people to live a real and thrilling life, not exist. Remember when you were a kid and every day was a new adventure? No one dreams of doling away the best years of their life until retirement then live. I’ve seen people who followed their dreams and others who talked about pursuing them someday until they passed out of this life.

If I can help you see the real you–the one inside that is having a blast, doing what they love to do, living the way they were meant to live–then you’ve caught the vision.

I know two men. One has said he doesn’t make the money he used to make, but he has a young family and gets to be home in the evening. He’s in control of his schedule and he’s happy. Another man has made bigger sacrifices to make more money. They’re both pursuing their dreams, they’re both happy having the freedom to do what works for them. They’re both at different life stages and want different things, but that’s the beauty.

Many of you have touched my life and encouraged me. I look forward to another year of sharing with you whatever happens, and the insights I get. I know all of my life experiences won’t be for everyone, but every story is for someone.

I hope you’re celebrating this week, being thankful, but be thankful for you. Whether you’ve just written down your idea, took a step forward or have been hammering at your dream for years, remember to be thankful for where you are right now. And if this blog has encouraged you in the least this year, would you take a moment and tell me about it? Or take a little longer and tell the whole story, I’d love to hear it. Thanks for reading.