Baby Blog: It’s Just About… Life.

A sliver of life. One quarter of a year. Three months. 90 days. The blog turns a corner.

It’s April 9th, 2013. Three months ago, on January 9th, the blog was born. I used these words as I created the first paragraph on that day: “In life you should do one of two things: get going or get out.” That’s what I did. The day before the blog launch I posted a question on my Facebook page, “if I blog, will you come?” I told myself if ten people responded I would do it. Well people did respond, exactly ten people Liked the post.  So I got going.

Here, on this blog, in ninety days we’ve gone from zero views to 6,000. I can’t thank you enough. When the blog first launched, it was titled Observations of Life. As I kept going, it seemed like that was too stiff, so I changed it up, It’s Just About… Life. And so far I hope I have lived up to that expectation, but more importantly to yours. Let me be clear this is not about the numbers, it’s about living the dream. My goal, as I wrote about in the blog My Why:

“It’s my WHY. There has to be a reason. There has to be a reason for anything you do, if you expect it to be worthwhile. If you don’t have and can’t find a purpose, if you don’t want to make a difference, create meaning and leave a legacy, then what’s it all for? I mean are you simply along for the ride of life? And if so, where are you going? Questions only you can answer. But find the answer… and it all becomes clear.”

I’m doing this for a reason, going back in time, because I want you to know it is my goal to stay true to my purpose, the journey may change, but the destination will remain the same:

“It’s incredibly exciting to think of all the possibilities, moments, observations and sharing we can do – it’s more than I can hope for or even imagine. Actually, no it’s not. My ultimate goal is to become more than I am and in doing so help others to do the same. If we share a laugh, a tear, or a common feeling along the way, isn’t that what life is all about? I’m ready to share.”

Have to revisit one comment though. My ultimate goal is to become more, that’s true, but I want to get there by  helping others to do the same, which in turn transforms me as well. I am striving for significance and so I heed the words of author and leadership expert John Maxwell, in his book, Put Your Dream to the Test: “One is too small a number to achieve greatness. Dream bigger and include others in your dream. Lead others to join you in the process. It will enlarge you, enlarge them, and benefit more people in a much more significant way. How can you best add value to others in the time you have in this life?

So here’s what I am talking about and I will end with this story: One of my banner goals for the year is a deeper relationship with my wife and my daughters. I think I did a pretty good job helping to care for my wife Debbie as she battled breast cancer and recovery from multiple surgeries much of the past year. And now each week I get a blank card and write Deb and my girls a note, about how I feel about them, or something they have done to make me proud, or how much I look forward to spending time with them. Basically, whatever I am feeling at the moment when I sit down to write it. I do something special for Debbie each month and I worked hard to surprise her in March by performing a song for her at Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah. I wanted to pay tribute to her courage and determination over the past year. The song was by Jason Mraz, I Won’t Give Up.

Today, I was driving my 10-year-old daughter Emily to her softball game, and that song came on the radio. We talked for a minute as Emily asked me some questions about how I had changed some of the words when I sang to Deb and about some of the meaning of that song. There were a few minutes of silence, and then Emily said this to me: “I hope I find a husband as loving as you.” It was my turn to be silent.

Kids can be your toughest critics. The mere fact she views me as such a person, as such a man, makes me believe that maybe as I am working to become a better person, by giving back to them first, that something might be happening. I just might be starting to make a difference after all. It’s my dream, for me, for you, for a lifetime.

The blog is still a baby. But maybe, just maybe it’s working, because today, my baby made my day.

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Mark