It’s the night before Christmas Eve. Throughout this season, I have been reflecting on how different my life is this year than last: I am living in a new home, a new state; I started a new job with a new team; I am writing this new blog.
Looking for ideas for this before-Christmas post, I clicked over to the other blog to read what I posted last year. What I discovered is that even though things are different this year, they are also very much the same.
Let’s take a look together:
I have a new favorite place to write. It’s an odd place, not the most comfortable spot in the house. I’ve adopted this spot, though, because my youngest daughter is learning how to fall asleep on her own. As long as I am sitting nearby, she will lie quietly in her bed and eventually go to sleep.
So, here I sit, on the hardwood floor, leaned against the wall outside my daughters’ bedroom, and use the stolen minutes to catch up on my work.
Christmas 2010 and I still sit outside my daughters’ bedroom while they fall asleep. Our hallway is carpeted here, and bedtime finds me leaning against the wall, working, with my netbook on my lap.
Tonight I am thinking about this blog’s readers. About a month ago, I made a special request asking you to introduce yourselves. Your responses delighted me. Many of you wrote to tell me about yourselves: where you live, what you do, your hopes and dreams for the future. You are from all over the world, literally. It thrills me to think that these words can reach to England, to India, to Canada, and across the United States.
I am thrilled — again — to know that my words here are being read around the world. Since this blog began on December 7, less than three weeks ago, Weaving Influence has had visitors from 17 countries. I know that Tanmay is reading in India, Tammy in Albania, Thabo in South Africa, Gwyn and Sonia in Canada, Marion in France, Monica in Mexico, Senen in the Phillipines.
There are others, as well. Friends across America whose names I know, other friends I haven’t met.
If you’re reading and I don’t know your name yet, I hope I will soon. Introduce yourself in the comments here, if you’d like.
It’s an awesome honor to type these words here, as I sit in front of my fireplace, and to know that they will reach you where you are. Thank you for the privilege of sharing community here together.
As 2009 comes to a close, I am grateful for each of you, and excited for what the New Year will hold for you. My hope is that we will grow in community here, and that each of you will grow as individuals and leaders. I hope that you will use your gifts for the benefit of others, and that my words here will encourage you wherever you are.
I wish you happiness and joy during this holiday season.
As 2010 comes to a close, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for each of you. You have been incredibly supportive and encouraging during this time of transition in my life. I wish you every joy and blessing in your lives this Christmas and in the New Year.
The words in italics (above) were originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and are reprinted here by permission.
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Becky, my young, new friend, let me tell you from the perspective of 65+ years, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I loved reading your comment about the girls helping you wrap presents. Wrapping presents has always been a big deal in our life. For me and mine, the way they are wrapped is a huge part of the gift. After 46 years of marriage my husband wraps beautifully.
Just this evening, my daughter in law was telling me how much time our son spent, with help from his tiny, but mighty, choleric, artistic daughter, wrapping yesterday afternoon. All gifts were gorgeous! My daughter’s tree is surrounded with gifts that match, etc. I used to match my wrapping to the decorations on my tree.
Everything that you do duplicates!
New home, new state, new team. Still you and yours.
Life changes, but not really. You wrote last year outside the door of a little one. You write now, outside the door of a not so little one. Why? because, that has become what you do.
How wonderful to spend your creative time close to those precious gifts, your girls.
Have a Blessed Christmas and enjoy opening those wonderfully wrapped presents.
Barb,
Thanks so much for taking the time to add your thoughts here. I need to write down that sentence “Every that you do duplicates.” It is such a powerful reminder of our ability to influence those who are following us. My girls are certainly my most precious gifts, and I look forward to building wonderful memories with then in the days ahead.
I wish the same for you and yours!
Very nice Becky. You are a wonderful support for so many.Merry Christmas and Hapy New Year
Becky, thanks for the mention from South Africa. Literally feel like a kid who woke up on Christmas day and unwrapped their first present. I made a promise to myself and my family to get into the spirit of Christmas this year. It has been full of gifts and surprises. I am thankful for this connection and touched by your love for your little girls. There is no better present than being present for your family and loved ones particularly now!
Dear Becky,
There is warmth and love in your post. To me, that is what Christmas is all about. Thank you for including me in your thoughts.
I wish you peace, love and all good things for 2011. And, I envy you the faces of your little ones on Christmas morning. There is nothing quite like it. 🙂
Hello, folks–I first encountered Becky’s writing in a how-to white paper on Twitter. I became a follower, and a fan. I’ve been reading her writing, on LeaderTalk, and now here, since. I also follow her on Twitter–she gets up, and starts firing off tweets, REALLY early.
Jeff Molenda
Martinsburg, WV
Jeff, I knew your name but now I know a little of your story. I have enjoyed our interaction on Twitter.
And — Wow — that Twitter white paper feels like a long time ago. If you have been reading since then, you are a faithful friend indeed!
I look forward to getting to know you more in the days ahead. Merry Christmas!