With today's post of this blog I checked the odometer for posts written and I somehow have reached the
600th blog written.
Amazing how time flies when you are having fun. I humorously say I want to trade in the points amassed for S&H green stamps or equivalent to at least get a new toaster or something.
So I pondered what could I post besides just some humor, inspirational thoughts or a photo of my backyard fence? What about thoughts that had meaning for the masses. With my listening heart to the world surely I could come up with something that was universal in feeling and expression.
As I go out on the road beyond number "600" here's what the old brain came up with for today.
First off, let me say one thing I have learned in all this blogging, is I am just as clueless in figuring out the way the world works as the next guy or gal here. It may "appear" that I have many answers. But I have that laundry basket on my head with you as we walk back and forth in the room banging into the walls.
I may have a grasp of analogies and visual images to help illustrate a point, but you would be amazed each day as I write my "silly scribbles" down as a platform for discussion. What I really am interested in my journey is what YOU have to say. Your comments I treasure. Why?
Because believe it or not I want to learn from you. I do learn from you. I sift through all the comments in my mind and am staggeringly amazed with the profound thoughts you give back to me.
A second point to be made to you, is it is ok to be YOU. All you, all the time. I will harp on that point till it is driven into your core. Your quirkiness, your failings, your transparent honesty all mean the world to all of us. I enjoy laughing with you, crying with you, seeing your ups and downs, and I get to comment back to you as well.
Finally, I think we all need to make a difference in all we do. Blogging with writing and reading on Active Rain is a part of what I consider making a difference. We need to extend that difference maker ability to all areas of our life.
A phrase I picked up from one of the Realtors in my office was
"My life and my day should end with an exclamation point and not a question mark."
Know what you are doing. Strive to make an impact. Look back on your day and your year. See the grandness of what you have accomplished. Or work towards that end. Keep getting better over time. Bounce your ideas of what is working or not working with those you trust.
Did I do good for today?
Be that Exclamation Point in the World.
Good post -- and thanks for the pep talk. Our individual responses to the world create the world. We always imagine that it takes a group to create, but it's always an individual "thought" that makes change occur. Attitude is everything!
Gary - Despite my extreme disappointment in not seeing a picture of the fence in your backyard, you did good. As you look around, you will see folks who appear to have all the answers in the world, but the fact is that we DO learn from eachother. I've never met or read a soul who indeed had all the answers. Heck, I don't mind being wrong, makes me one step closer to being that explanation point.
Gary great post! I loved the last paragraph, I am going to cut and past it for some motivation when I need it. I look forward to your next 600 blogs! Now making an exclamation point instead of a question mark is my goal for today and everyday! Thanks again.
Gary, great thoughts and inspiration. We all should make it a goal to constantly improve ourselves and encourage others to do the same!
Good inspiration - be you and work with a purpose are good insights. Plus, I loved the pic of kids in a basket - hours of good fun.
Great Post Gary...as usual, you have thought and inspiration. I always enjoy you rposts.
Gary, Excellent points in your post ... very inspirational and motivating "My life and my day should end with an exclamation point and not a question mark."
As for your contribution and inspiration you bring to all of us here on Active Rain we did an outstanding job. I am proud of been one of your friends.
Li: One thought, you are right, can change EVERYTHING.
Jason: Just between you and me, if ANYONE says they have all the answers ~ RUN AWAY!!!
Tony & Darcy: Be that exclamation point person. It makes all the difference.
Kaleb: If we are not improving OMG we are regressing. NOT GOOD!!
Ryan: Kids in the basket is how I go through each of my days. Just so you know. But I figure it out. EVENTUALLY!!
Pat: Good choice with the YouTube and Taylor Hicks who did his own thing. You are specatacular with your commenting as always.
William: Thank you.
Arina: And you are MY dear friend too.
Wow - 600 times you put pen to pad fingers to keyboard and you have inspired us with your wisdom and insite each time. 600 times you have shared a piece of yourself....Gary - 600 million thank yous for all you've done in adding so much heart and soul to us here in the Rain. Here's to the next 600...
Lee and Pamela: I think you have reminded me how tired my fingers are : ) Thanks for your kind words.
And I say don't use that exclamation point very often, either. Use it sparingly. Use it when your words fail. You should be able to convey the message implied by an exclamation point without using the exclamation point to make your point. Some people insert too many exclamation points in their writing because they forget they have words that can express their thoughts.
I ended my day on an exclamation point last night. I forget what annoying thing my husband was saying when I was ready to drop off into slumberland, but I do recall my last words to him, which were, "Stop being a $hit!" And he apologized. :)
Elizabeth: If anyone "doesn't" need training in using the exclamation point it is you LOL. That is so funny with hubby.
Gary,
Having an open mind and continuously trying to learn new things is a road to greater things. That can only come from listening to others and absorbing their thinking from blogs, for instance.
great post -- live for today and make a difference
Pat: I knew you would outfit me properly for the head banging. Thanks. I think. Age before beauty.
I always enjoy your posts - put such a positive spin on our world as we know it - Thanks!
Gary - Congratulations on your 600th Blog. Your posts have encouraged and touch many souls and I hope your fingers will keep on banging away on the keyboard.
You have a milestone to be proud of Gary. Here is a toast to you! "May you never run out of thoughts, ideas, inspirations or just out and out words to fill the many pages and posts in your future to entertain, enlighten or challenge the minds of your subscribers. Here Here!
All the Best, William
Gary - funny how punctuation marks come into the significance of life. I remember frequently the story of The Dash. On your gravestone are marked the years of your life 1943-2008, for example. It's the dash tha matters, what happens between when you're born and when you die.
James: Life is really good. We just have to SEE that!!
Sharon Richards: Bang away I will : ) Thanks for your support.
William: Thanks for the champagne my friend. Don't worry, I won't run out of thoughts. I have millions of them to go.
Sharon Simms: I love that story about the dash and it is so true. That's the life in our life that counts.
Gary, congratulations on the milestone....and as always, encouraging!
Pat: I know you have a million (and one) stories too. You don't have to write them all today LOL. Love that Stuck on You song, mellows me out.
Joddie: Thank you.
...and at the end of the day, follow your bliss.
Gary ~ Congratulations on your 600th post! You have definitely made a difference in my life. Reading your posts always gives me inspiration, calms me down, and sometimes, they give me a different way of looking at things. Your comments on my posts are always kind and make me smile. I hope you have an exclamation point day! : )
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the exclamation point of my days. Congrats on the 600th post and if you ever get to Camden County, NJ, you will be a hop, skip and a jump from West Chester.
Gary,
Congratulations on your 600th post! Being yourself in your posts is a great way for others to get to know you. You need to make it sound as though you are speaking to the person. That makes it more interesting.
BTW, I reached my milestone of 100,000 points. Onward and upward to the next one.
Brigita
Gary .. adorable picture of the kids in the laundery basket .... how are you!!!! pippa
Kelly: You are ALWAYS so tuned in with life. That's what I love so much about you. Right to the point.
Kathy: Thanks, you are always so nice to me. I enjoy everything you have to say with your comments and your blogs.
Hi Susan: I couldn't find a Texas sign with the 600 but it is nice to know Camden County, NJ is near you.
Brigita: Way to go on 100,000. That's a lot of points. Always be yourself. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Pippa: I'm fine, thanks for asking. I can relate to the kids in the laundry basket. That's me in there. Are you in there too? : )
Gary, I find it hard to believe that anyone could write 600 posts....let alone GREAT POSTS. You sir are amazing and bright light to so many of us. Thank you for all you do.
Big hugs,
Deb