#365: The End of a Road?

On June 30th of last year I set as a goal to write 365 blogs. With the exception of two days a couple of months ago when the computer was in the shop and I had no access to one, I have faithfully produced a blog a day since last June.

I often asked myself why I didn't commit to one blog a week instead of one every day. If you saw the movie "Cool Hand Luke" you'll understand why. In that movie convict Paul Newman bragged one night to the other prisoners that he could eat 50 hard-boiled eggs. When his mentor, George Kennedy, asked him why he didn't say 20 or 25 (or some such lower number), Newman replied that 50 just sounded like a nice number. Last June so did 365.

So tonight I have met my goal. Along the way I have tried to encourage and inspire and offer ways to look at life and our situations in a positive manner. We have cried together and laughed together and shared memories from my childhood and sometimes of my emotions.

As today unfolded, I felt a letdown of sorts. Yet I was happy the self-imposed pressure was off. Now, if there are topics I feel moved to write about, I can, whenever the muse hits.

I admit I am thrilled every time I read a reader's comment, even when the point of the blog is missed or not understood. But I didn't write to gain a wide following. I am grateful that a handful of my Spark friends have been loyal readers over time and that occasionally a new reader stopped by.

To all of you who have spent time with me I offer a sincere thank you. I have been inspired and encouraged by your replies in so many ways. We'll meet here again. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Let's see what ideas present themselves.

For those who may have missed it, here is blog #1 from June 30, 2009, titled "Motivation." Enjoy!

* * * * *

What does it take for us to become motivated?

Here's one story:

A consultant walked with a supervisor along the floor of a manufacturing plant. At one point he stopped and asked the supervisor, "How many people do you have working for you?"

"At any given time? About half," was the reply.

Further along, the consultant asked a worker on the assembly line, "How long have you worked for this company?

The worker answered, "Ever since they threatened to fire me."

The point of the story? If you commit to something, follow-through with pride and responsibility.

Don't wait to be fired, get fired up instead! Fired up over your weight loss. Fired up over becoming healthier. Fired up over clothes that fit better. Fired up over other people's positive comments about the new you.

But mainly, get FIRED UP over something with passion and commitment.

Here's to your continued success!