HOLIDAY HIATUS

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (in the US).  I'm delighted and grateful to qualify that statement.  Why?  I don't really pay much attention to the numbers but seeing the countries where this blog is read, quite honestly amazes me and more than that, it fascinates me.

Last year, I marveled at thirty countries.  I was on a continent quest.  It was all about Africa.  How serendipitous that I found a kindred spirit in South Africa when I was in Washington last May and how wonderful, through the magic of social media, we are constantly communicating, collaborating and swapping wisecracks between our respective continents.

I had already achieved my dream of that sixth continent when we forged our friendship.  Still, I never would have believed that this silly little blog would be seen in close to one hundred countries.  I'm humbled.

Thank you for reading.  Thank you for commenting.  Thank you for reaching out via email.  Last year, I did the gratitude list.  This year, it would be impossible.  This blog has been a game changer for me.  It has taken me places I could not even fathom.  It has brought me friendships that are so deeply meaningful.  Quite often, I step back and think, "How?"  And I think, "Why?"  And then, I stop questioning and just acknowledge the gratitude in my heart.

There have been plenty of #IRL (in real life) meetings and there are plenty more still to come.  They are right around the corner.  There have been connections made at conferences and online introductions that have led me to places well beyond my own comfort zone.  I've stepped into unknown situations, with confidence and sometimes with tremendous trepidation but I've stepped anyway.  In spite of myself.

I have found myself in the role of both the supporter and and supported.  I have encouraged and I have been encouraged. I've laughed.  I've cried.  The tears have been filled with sorrow and there have been tears of joy.  The laughter has been with friends and it has snuck up on me in moments of solitude.  I've been outraged and I've been hopeful.

I've been overjoyed by good news and I've been upset by set backs.  I've been overwhelmed when hearing bad news. There has been no shortage of not so great situations popping up all over the place.  The sadness is palpable.  Bearing witness to suffering and death, I've gotten angry.  It's an ugly anger.  But it's an anger that pushes me onward.

Mostly, I just am.  Here.  Profoundly thankful for the path before me.  Appreciative of every opportunity I have to help change this conversation.  I don't know into whose life I have stepped, but I'm keeping it.  I'm determined.  I may not be the change, I may not see the change, but I will not stop pursuing that change.

Quite simply, I will:

Live sincerely.

Love deeply.

Laugh heartily.

And most of all, if it's worth doing, I will DO it with passion.

See you on Monday.  With a renewed sense of purpose and soaring spirits.......

And a sneak preview into what comes next..... My lips are sealed....

Need something to do for the next few days?  Help my friends at WEGO Health and get those nominations going..... I want to keep my Ambassador status so get cracking.....