growgratitude.com

Remember the children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could”? I don’t readily recall the specifics of the story, but it was generally about a small train engine with a long line of cars in tow that had to make it up and over a seemingly insurmountable mountain. None of the larger train engines would agree to try to pull the cargo. As the tiny train struggled to ascend the mountain, it began chanting the mantra, “I–think-I can, I–think-I can, I-think-I can”, which it successfully utilized to motivate, build momentum, and chug its way up the mountainside. No doubt it was an extremely difficult endeavor for the ambitious little engine. 

But from there, it was all downhill, so to speak.

The engine, knowing the worst was behind him, began chanting: “I-thought-I could, I-thought-I could, I-thought-I could” all the way down the other side of the mountain.

What was required for that little engine to manage to maneuver the mountain: a vision, motivation, ambition, courage, strength, perseverance, and optimism. Quite a combination of characteristics! Armed with these assets as its base, many endeavors would be more inclined to be successful.  Relatively reasonable, right?

When I started blogging, I had a vision.  You’ve got to see it to be it!     

In other words, you have to be able to visualize or have a vision of what it is you are trying to accomplish or become. Without that vision, you’re unlikely to see your efforts come to fruition. Seeing is believing and believing is deeply rooted.

I was motivated and timing was key. I have a passion for writing and I knew I needed to resurrect that outlet that had previously served me well. I was exactly where I needed to be in order for the blog to come into being. But beyond that, I had a vision that my blog would be more than just my

voice, touting my perspective. My blog had to reflect who I am to some extent as well as what I think. The two are distinct. At the heart of who I am lies a pervasive deep desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. And as you likely know, actions speak louder than words. So it has always been that my blog, GrowGratitude, would incorporate taking action and giving back. I just wasn’t sure how or when but I figured that the blog would take shape as it unfolded.

It takes a willingness to be vulnerable to share your thoughts and personal perspective with the “world”. Being vulnerable is not easy. It takes courage to open up and publicly reveal your personal experiences, perspectives, thoughts, flaws, failures, desires, and dreams. Have you ever had someone tell you that you were so brave to do whatever and that they could never see themselves doing that? Odds are they never will. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. You have to have courage to let the inside out and the outside in.  I don’t like feeling vulnerable, but I do like being who I am. It’s about being my authentic self not some pre-conceived made up façade or false self personally tailored for presentation to the world. Showing you who I genuinely am, and being o.k.

with whatever that means for you is a gift I give myself. Interestingly, it gets easier as I get older. So, while the writing comes somewhat naturally, the willingness to be vulnerable is a process.

So I took to my laptop and began writing. I made a list of “topics” to blog about so that I would be ahead of the game. To date, I have yet to refer to that list as a source for blogging. I do know it will come in handy, though, at some point. Thus far, my weekly blog posts have pretty much been off the cuff and initiated by sporadic events or thoughts. That works for me as I tend to be a person who goes-with-the-flow. Although I must admit, going with the flow, due to its relative uncertainty, can have an anxiety-laden effect which kind of negates the whole go-with-the-flow mindset.

Once I press “Publish”, my personal thoughts are out there for the “world” to know. Not only are they out there, but I’m seeking your response or perspective in return.  It takes a certain amount of strength, perhaps of character, to open up to a world of virtual strangers with the hopes that what you have to share is of some value, has some meaning, or makes a difference in that moment or that day or their life. My hope is that you “like” the post and that you find it worthy of your time.

So where am I going with all of this? As you may know, April is Month of the Military Child and GrowGratitude, the little blog that could, wants to help give back to our country’s little heroes who routinely make difficult sacrifices in order for our country’s grown-up heroes to protect and serve.

As a former military child, I know personally some of the sacrifices these children make. As a result, I will always have a special place in my heart for the children of our country’s great military.

“I-think-I can, I-think-I can, I-think-I can”. But I KNOW I can’t without your help.

Please help me make this happen!!

http://www.militaryfamily.org/get-involved/donate/giving-opp/

Take 5 minutes to give $5 and forward this post or the donation link above to as many people as you can and encourage them to do the same.

Let’s give back to the heroes behind our heroes. They deserve our support and I am grateful for your support! All proceeds go to the National Military Family Association.

See you next Wednesday!           OXOXOXO