Good Wednesday morning.
Yes. If you’ve read my “About” page, you get an understanding of why. Why I do this (blog). To get someone. Anyone. Everyone. To share a laugh. A smile. An “aha” moment. Perhaps a tear. A moment of inspiration. And I’ve come to learn that I “get” far more than I “give.” I had another one of those moments at 4:00 pm on Sunday afternoon. It came unexpectedly in an email from a follower. I don’t know “D.” “D” is from the other side of this country. I didn’t know he followed my blog. I’m reading his email: “Hello. I’m finally doing what I’ve been meaning to for months. I’ve never written to a blogger before and I am absolutely compelled to do so now. Your blog; your blog! Since I came across your blog a few months ago, I have been inspired and uplifted. Most profoundly, your posts about your kids have moved this xx year old father to tears. I just want to thank you, David, for sharing. I don’t believe that many days have passed without me going to your blog. And, I can tell you that after I have done so, I feel a genuine sense of gratitude for the kindness and goodness you so obviously bring to this world. Yes, I am very grateful indeed.”
Thank you “D.” You moved me. You made my day, my week and likely months to come. Thank you “D” and all of my other friends and followers who take the time to check in to visit each day. You inspire me with long shots of adrenaline to “blog on.” And now on to the inspiring posts of the week from my favorite bloggers:
Kurt @ CulturalOffering with his share he titles “Pause“: “Within a breath or two of emptying my mind, thoughts came flooding in — nature abhors a vacuum. I felt an itch on my face and wanted to scratch it. A great title for my next book popped into my head and I wanted to write it down before I forgot it. I thought of at least four phone calls I wanted to make and one difficult conversation I was going to have later that day. I became anxious, knowing I only had a few hours of writing time. What was I doing just sitting here? I wanted to open my eyes and look at how much time was left on my countdown timer. I heard my kids fighting in the other room and wanted to intervene. Here’s the key though: I wanted to do all those things, but I didn’t do them. Instead, every time I had one of those thoughts, I brought my attention back to my breath…(Read more)
Becky Robinson @ Weaving Influence with her post These Exact Places: “I believe that there is nothing random about my path, about the people I’ve encountered, about the opportunities I’ve discovered, the places I’ve lived…Where I live, where I go, what I say, and what I do, makes a difference. Where you live, where you go, what you say, and what you do makes a difference. There are no accidents. You are exactly where you need to be, right now.” (Read more)
Ophelia @ Ophelia’s Fiction Blog with her post Five of My Heroes: “Perhaps they’re not heroes in the epic sense, but they have traits that find an echo in my own sense of self. A fragment of me writ large. If you look at your own heroes, you will find the same. You might assume they’re your opposite, what you can never be, when in fact their public personas are embodying some part of you that needs more air time. I notice a theme with mine. They are all storytellers, they are excellent at what they do, they are unashamed of their obsessions. Sometimes we need our own heroes to help us speak our minds and live with a little more integrity, especially if we want to achieve excellence in our field…” (Read More)
Kim @ Tranquil Dreams with her post: Sunday Baking:Coconut-Almond Bread! Get me a knife, a plate, some butter and move out of my way…Here’s breakfast!
Have a great Hump Day…
Credits: Image Source – moonlightcity. Thank you John E. Smith for pointing me to Becky Robinson. Thank you Dr. James Strafford @ Beyond the Call for pointing me to Ophelia.
Live & Learn 
Ah, ‘D’ – you have done what so many others have failed to do (including yours truly)..Could it be David, that you are finally realizing the incredible, wonderful impact you have? The people you touch with your words, images, quotes, videos, etc? I hope so, you deserve to feel some of that goodness. Happy Wednesday
LikeLike
Thank you Mimi. A good day to you too…
LikeLike
I’m takin’ this as a ‘yes’…you get it. Yay. Full stop. And a smile ;-).
LikeLike
Gotta go there, huh? 🙂 I was thinking about a quote I came across that underscored “D’s” WORDS and their impact on me:
“If you ever doubt the power of language, listen more closely. Witness the magic the first time someone whispers “i love you.” Watch a woman put on head phones, close her eyes, and have her life changed by a lyric. See a bad moment flipped upside down by a well timed joke. Words propel us, empower us, make us human and more than human. We constantly struggle to say what we mean and mean what we say. To “wrestle with words and meanings.” that’s what t.s. eliot calls it. But as we whisper and shout, stutter and spin, we create order out of the chaos around us. We are built of words, and we live by them, too.” (Source: Unknown)
LikeLike
I love that last quote, David. It is so very true. Words carry incredible power–one can be uplifted by a phrase and conversely felled by a single utterance. I’m so happy that this gentleman took the time to tell you how your words resonate in his life. Your posts *do* make a difference to so many, by eliciting a gasp of surprise, a chuckle of acknowledgement, a giggle of gleeful recognition, or a murmur of sympathy, and I look forward to them every day. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind words Lori.
LikeLike
“D” has written what we feel. WE ARE INSPIRED BY YOUR BLOG! I remember you saying you were not sure how long you will be doing this blog. I hope you know NOW that what you say matters and makes an impact on others. CONTINUE ON DAVID, YOUR BLOG MATTERS!
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
LikeLike
Francine, thank you!
LikeLike
It’s amazing what a simple act of kindness can do for one’s soul. Such an easy thing to do, yet not enough of us do it. So thank you for how you make me feel when I read your blog. Thank you for all the blood, sweat and tears that I’m sure goes into your inspiring words. They make a difference in my life. 🙂
LikeLike
Wow! Its so simple but just so nice to feel someone enjoys all the hard work we’ve put in. Now you’ve made my day by sharing my post! Thanks David! 🙂
LikeLike
Pleasure was all mine Kim. Thank you for the great posts.
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute from “D”. I look forward to your blog every day. It’s the first thing I look at when I turn on my computer in the morning. A way to inspire me throughout the day . . . especially on the challenging days. Thank you.
LikeLike
How nice. Thanks so much Maralee. I do the same…
LikeLike
Yeah – this must be what it feels like to be a groupie…
Not eloquent words on my part, but you get my drift 🙂
LikeLike
and I LOVE the photo!
LikeLike
Laughing. Thank you LaDona.
LikeLike
I think that’s what we all try to do with our blogs. I know I like to let others know they are not alone in the madness they feel as middle age dances around them. Throw in a little magic — life and love — and you have a recipe for true enjoyment. Keep up the good work!
LikeLike
Thank you Claudia. Yes, I’m alone with you on the magic and the madness part. 🙂
LikeLike
What a great photo.
LikeLike
I loved it too Alex…
LikeLike
See what you DO for the world???!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Funny! Thanks Carol
LikeLike
“D” spoke the truth and from the heart…It’s true my friend.
LikeLike
It’s so cool to get this great feedback, and it’s deserved!
LikeLike
Thank you James. I thought so too. And thanks for pointing me to Ophelia…
LikeLike
Your welcome. 🙂
LikeLike
nature abhors a vacuum – so true. Our questions never remain unanswered for long.
LikeLike
Yes, I’ve figured that out much later in life.
LikeLike
Beautiful photograph. Yes , you make us smile, inspire us and we love your blog. Sometimes someone should say that like “D” did, instead of just like and comment.
LikeLike
Thank you Indira. I appreciate your feedback.
LikeLike