Doing it just to do it so you can say you did it and continue to do it is not the reason to do it
~~~~~
Beginning
Twelve years ago today (the last Sunday of May 2010), with a bit of apprehension, I clicked “publish” and launched this blog. The first few weeks I posted to the Blogger site. After that I migrated to my current platform of WordPress. I made a commitment to post once a week for the “foreseeable future.”
That marked a beginning.
The weekly posts continued for (counting today’s offering) 627 consecutive weeks.
While most of my readers reside in the USA, this blog has reached around the world. The next nine nations (by number of views): Canada, Philippines, India, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, Germany, and Indonesia. And additional viewers from more than 100 other countries. (According to WordPress stats.)
Humbling. Gratifying.
Ending
Like the child who started the first grade in 2010 and has now (2022) reached his high school commencement, I, too, have arrived at a graduation of sorts.
Today marks the last of my weekly blog posts. An ending—of sorts. It is not the end of the blog. Just the end of the weekly posts.
While the weekly posts pushed me to continue to hone my writing skills and explore new topics, I found myself posting just to keep “the string” of consecutive weeks going. That became a chore at times. While I still received joy and a sense of satisfaction each time I hit “publish,” there were times during the last few years that I was more relieved than joyful. I found myself doing the blog because “I had to do it.” No one told me to do it. I just did not want to break the streak of consecutive weeks. Like the student who goes to school so she can get a perfect attendance award—not because school fulfills her.
Doing it just to do it so you can say you did it and continue to do it is not the reason to do it for me.
Beginning
In a quote attributed to Louis L’ Amour,
There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
And so it is.
Time to for me to back away, gather a new perspective, and return to this blog with fresh eyes and thoughts. As I put more time into my pet therapy rounds with my canine companion, Roxie, and my other community service commitments, innovative ideas will incubate. A brief hiatus will give me the opportunity to reflect on what I can contribute (with my blogging) going forward.
One of the early posts on this blog spoke of the inspiration for my song Find Your Happy Place!
The song reminds us that we have to care for ourselves. Be it a spiritual touchstone, an emotional retreat, a community gathering, or an isolated getaway when we can find ethical ways to maintain life’s balance we help ourselves
That can lead to a beginning.
Thank you for following, reading, sharing, and commenting. I appreciate you and I will be back.
Every exit is an entrance to someplace else.|
~attributed to Patti LaBelle~
Video Recommendation for the Week.
Sunrise represents an end and a beginning. Enjoy this video I shot from my kayak. And don’t miss the dolphins!
Make it a wonderful week and HTRB has needed.
You will find my latest book, Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit, in
eBook ($2.99) and paperback ($9.99) format. Click here.
My dog Roxie gets top billing on the author page for this work. Without her, there would be no story. Please, check out her blog.
And you can still order:
- Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. More information (including seven free podcast episodes that spotlight the seven core values highlighted in the book) at the above link.
- Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program uses the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) would serve to stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.
You can find my podcasts (all fifty episodes) here.
You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.
©2022. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida
The Growth and Resilience Network® 
Bravo for your body of work here–such persistence. WOW!
I agree, when blogging becomes a chore, channel your energy into something else. I have been blogging since 2013 and last week I published my 600th post. Many of my posts became scenes in my memoir. Blogging is still fun for me, but I sense that my energy is waning. Maybe posting bi-monthly is in the cards.
I’m happy to read that your still enjoy your pet therapy rounds. Another “Bravo” for that! 😀
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Thanks for the kind words, Marian. And congratulations on your 60tth post. One of the great things about blogging is how it can lead you down so many paths (like book scenes). Best wishes as you continue your journey. Thanks again for your positive feedback.
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