Milestone Moment

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“The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting.” – Walt Disney

I’m celebrating today. I’ve published a post every day for a year. And since late October of last year, I’ve also written a weekly post on the Pointless Overthinking blog as well. That’s about 400 posts total.

Looking back on the experience, I realize that what happened to me over the year was a far different thing than what I thought going into it.

Write What You Need to Read

I was reminded of this adage somewhere in the middle of this year of posts and connected it to what I’m doing here. I’ve been writing what I need to process and remember this precious time that is so busy it could go by without notice. The posts that I imagined I would write – clean, full of poignant phrases, powerfully evocative – are not at all what came out. But what came out was something like little snapshots of learning, appreciating and searching for the depth and richness of life as it is right now.

Themes

I imagined that I would write a lot more about faith and God because this was going to be my meditation journal for parenting. But it turns out that I can’t easily find the words to describe this core but non-denominational factor in my life. I suspect that because my beloved dad had such a definite view of God through Presbyterianism that I imbibed that deep belief but have trouble intellectualizing the faith, hope, and optimism that keep me going.

Instead I find myself writing about friendship, learning, trying, failing, confidence, feelings, the precious lessons I see unfold in my kids, meditation and breathing, imperfection, healing. And though they are all colored by my faith, hope, and optimism, they reflect life as I process it in all its messiness.

Community

I expected that writing posts would help me practice to become a better writer. But I had no idea I was joining a community. In many ways, the beauty of this experience had very little to do with the keyboard and everything to do with finding a network of interesting, inspiring and invested people. Writing blog posts has helped me remember this year of my life – but commenting on them and other people’s post filled a need I didn’t know I had for daily interaction with grown-ups that I wasn’t getting from my professional or family life.

As an example, in the beginning, I had my Gravitar website pointing to an outdated URL. Fortunately, Ab pointed that out to me, I fixed it and we connected. He has commented on every single post of mine since which deserves its own medal. Thank you for that gift, Ab!

That experience multiplied by many including Alegria, Ally, Art, Ashley, Betsy, Caitlyn, Chaya, Claudette, Cristiana, Deb, David, Dr. Stein, Dutch, Endless Weekend, Fred, Gary, Grace, Jane, Julia, Kathy, LaShelle, Mark, Michael, Michelle, Nancy, Natalie, Rebecca, Rosaliene, Susan, Tamara, and so many more is a treasure trove of goodness for which I’m so grateful. Thank you all!

I’m going to go celebrate. See you tomorrow – because even though my experiment is over, somehow I still have more to say… 😊  

(featured photo is of my kids celebrating a few years back)

65 thoughts on “Milestone Moment”

  1. Congratulations of an amazing achievement. I am in awe of you. I’m glad we connected this year because, like you said, you write what you need to read– and it rings true with me.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Wow, Ally – that is a great compliment coming from you. I love everything you write, even when you don’t have many pictures 🙂 and it’s an honor to be connected to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. AHHHHHH!!!!! Thank you. I just made our weekly batch of dog food yesterday. The “kids” are eating doggie chicken salad, with chicken, green beans, blueberries, rice, yogurt and a dash of cinnamon. They love it. Have a great weekend. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yum! When we lived in the Philippines when I was a kid, our dog ate homemade dog food so the tradition goes way back for me, I just needed to be reminded of it! Thank you!

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  4. You do deserve some sort of medal, Wynne, but since you’ve mentioned faith and your dad’s sense of humor, here is the best I can do: something to make you and your readers laugh. It is called “A Consumer’s Guide to Religion” and probably goes back to the early ’60s. It isn’t “Monty Python” but might be a British group called “Beyond the Fringe:”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a lovely comment, Natalie! I’m so grateful that blogging led me to meeting you. You make me laugh, think and be inspired on a regular basis!

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    1. What a lovely comment, Deb! I’m so grateful that our paths have crossed and fun to have a Seattle area blogging friend. Hope you have a great trip next week and I can’t wait to read about it on your blog!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Congrats Wynne! This pic is JOY personified!

    Your milestone accomplishment has added many an encouraging and inspiring moment to this ole Ragamuffin’s journey, and young Ms. O and Mr. D pics and antics brought smiles reminiscing the joys and challenges of parenthood . . . I’d give all my remaining tomorrows to relieve just one of those precious yesterdays. Thanks lady!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh Fred, you are such a delight! Boy, do you know how to bear witness and to encourage. Really, you remind me so much of my dear father. I’m so grateful that blogging has brought me to meeting you!

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  10. Well done. This is a serious accomplishment and celebrations should definitely be part of today. I’ve very much enjoyed reading your words.

    I find it interesting that you feel you aren’t writing about faith and God as much as planned, but “Instead I find myself writing about friendship, learning, trying, failing, confidence, feelings, the precious lessons I see unfold in my kids, meditation and breathing, imperfection, healing.” For me, that is God. I’ve always loved metaphors 💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Michelle! I love your comment – and the idea of metaphors. You are right, those topics are the meat of life and God is in them all. Thanks for this gift of perspective to help me understand that.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Congratulations, Wynne.
    I have enjoyed your posts immensely and am looking forward to many more.
    You have given me many thoughts to ponder. I enjoy your insightful writing about daily life and your positivity is definitely infectious.
    I love, “But what came out was something like little snapshots of learning, appreciating and searching for the depth and richness of life as it is right now.”
    Wish you many more milestones.
    Love to your little ones.💖

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Congrats! That is an amazing milestone! Enjoy your celebration!

    And thank you for all your posts! Everyday I look forward to reading what you have to say. Your posts are so enjoyable and thought-provoking. See you tomorrow!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Caitlyn! What a lovely compliment coming from you knowing how full your plate is. Sending my gratitude that blogging has led me to cross paths with you!

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  15. Congrats and thank you for all the inspiring and thoughtful posts you’ve contributed to the blogosphere this past year, Wynne. You bring so much to what I believe many of us consider a vital community. And you do bring your spiritual self to every post, even though you aren’t intending to … and it’s lovely!

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    1. Jane, you are such a treasure! Every time I we “talk” on this medium you make me feel understood and you make me think and I love both so much. I’m so grateful that blogging has given me the gift of your friendship!

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  16. Congratulations on your accomplishments! It’s amazing isn’t it how we end up writing what we need to hear! I suppose it’s because those are the things that speak to us and help us write in a more authentic voice! I love the style you have created for yourself! Keep going!

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  17. Blogging everyday is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations, Wynne! Happy to hear that you have more to say and happy we connected here. Go celebrate and enjoy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so happy we connected here as well, Nancy. I love your peaceful, kind and thoughtful perspective that enrichens my life and reading. Such a blessing!

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  18. Congratulations on your milestone, Wynne! The two biggest reasons that I love following you are that 1) you often make me laugh, and 2) I often learn something… thank you for being you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love this comment, Grace because you’ve made my day. I’m so grateful we’ve connected here because you feel like a soul sister to me. Your authenticity, vulnerability and courage are such a gift! So thank you for being you!

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  19. Hooray! You made it! Congratulations. 😊 I didn’t wanna jinx it by mentioning it the past few days and I’m glad the milestone has been officially reached!

    I’m glad we connected through the blogging community. I enjoy your reflections, your photos of the week and your dad’s hilarious stories and jokes.

    Here’s to a wonderful Year 2 ahead!

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    1. Thanks for your amazing consistent support and your ability to make me smile and think. It feels like you understand so many of the particulars of my parenting journey with a child of the same age. I’m so very grateful for you, Ab!

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  21. Wow Wynne! Congratulations!!! Incredible to write everyday and to write daily with the depth and aplomb that you do is something you should be very proud of. I have gained many insights from your writing and deeply appreciate our connection. Thank you for letting me into your life. And congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment. I very much look forward to all you have to say.

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    1. Alegria – this is such a wonderful comment to hear from you! Thank you for the joy and warmth that you spread. Whether it’s your post or mine, you spread delight wherever you go!

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  22. What a wonderful accomplishment, Wynne, and oh the lessons learned throughout an entire year of blogging. I love how you take the tough challenges by horns and wrestle them into big life wins. Congratulations on a job well done—on so many levels! Amazing.

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  23. Wow. That is such an accomplishment! Especially since my posting schedule is as haphazard as they come. And wow to Ab for commenting on every single one. Amazing. The friendships are definitely the best part of blogging. You never know what cyber-friends you’ll find yourself leaning on when your personal life gets messy. 😉 😉

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  24. Congratulations! What an achievement! And thank you Wynne for mentioning my name! I also did not expect to become part of a community where I also had the chance to meet with you! Belonging to that community is great motivation for writing! I send you a virtual big hug!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Congratulations on achieving your goal. I have found blogging to be an interesting platform that somehow grows you in ways you were not necessarily aware of you needed to grow in…

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