Casting A Vision
There, now, all of holiday is tucked away, things have been rearranged and freshened up, a new stack of tiny journals just arrived on my doorstep yesterday (more on that soon), and the last boy returns to school today. It's time, I think, to dive on in to this brand new January.
I've got a bubbling anticipation about this year. Yes, there will be challenges - globally, nationally, locally, personally, there always are - and we should all do our best to meet them; educate ourselves about them in order to respond and assist in the best ways we can. But alongside the challenges are beautiful opportunities waiting that I don't want to miss.
Although I didn't plan the launch of this new site to coincide with a fresh new year, I realize now that it couldn't have happened at a better time. It feels like a gift. For me, certainly, and hopefully for you, too.
Let's talk about this.
It would be impossible to predict exactly how this blog will always be, however, as I stand here at the beginning of new, I'd like to cast a vision for what I see.
I see this quiet place where you and I can come for the love of story and inspiration, for the discovery of friendship and community, for the connection between souls around themes of simplicity and living well. You'll not find download material with a beginning and an end; there'll be no exclusive content hidden behind a paywall - this blog's pages will be meaningful, engaging, ongoing, and always open and free. What you've come to love about the blog will remain. This is good. What you may expect will also be: new series, added interest, fresh ideas, sources - and you know me, this will all play out with my imprint and words in an organic sort of way.
It may be easy to believe that this will happen because of me, but I think it'll be because of you. You asked for a way to support my work in these pages, and I offered up a gratuity button there in the footer, where you could do just that. Then, you went there! Thank you so very much for valuing my work and your experience here! Your willingness to invest in my work and offer what it might cost to chat over coffee (tea?), or have lunch or dinner once a month, and your equally generous one-time gifts help make this growth possible.
As I mentioned over here, when you give a gratuity, you're also putting your name in the hat to be chosen for a half-hour Skype session with me! We can have tea or coffee in our mugs, sit back, and visit like old friends via the wonder that is the internet. I'm so excited about this! At every month's beginning, I'll randomly select four givers from the previous month who will receive a special email from me with the good news that their names have been drawn.
Speaking of, four of you should be looking in your inboxes soon!
Update: I've heard that post notification emails haven't been going out to subscribers (thanks for letting me know!). I've got my toolkit out today, and am tinkering on the problem. Fingers crossed all will be good to go with tomorrow's post.