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 hard wood floor, leaned against the wall outside my daughters’ bedroom, and use the stolen minutes to catch up on my work.

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.

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.

This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is re-posted with permission.