A Special Day Today and a Part of My Story Not Shared Before .........................4/13/12

The Fremont hills near where I live and where I grew as a child.

    Well, it's going to happen.

You can see it over there, on the right, can't you?  The
pageview counter shows that this inn is has crested a major milestone.  In twenty-five months--exactly---this place crossed 100,000 pages read by you, my guests.

     Two years ago, on March 13th, this inn opened it's doors.  I've posted over 645 posts in that time, but this place is still a baby.  Thank you for  joining me here.  I'm about to trek through redwoods this afternoon. I'm sneaking in this post, before I breathe in nature and enjoy time spent with a female friend.

      How have I grown, while tending this place?

1. I've made time for me.

      Writing regularly for this inn has disciplined me.  I've grown as a writer.  My career has been as a speaker or teacher.  Writing outlines for a talk is entirely different that what you read here. I imagine I'm getting more out of my writing than you.  So, thank you.  I'd love hearing from you Silent Readers who slip in and out of this cozy place in cyberspace with nary a word.

      Go ahead, give it a try.  Post a comment.  They are your way of  showing your appreciation for your stay.  It's good for you, too.  Really.

2.  This inn has been a terrific journal of  the forays I've gone through the past two years.  I've shared moments relating with the kind and unkind, the just and unjust and my ruminations about life.  I've let you know the challenges and joys and about my connection with God, family and friends.

3.   Being the innkeeper gives me perspective.  As I look back at the recorded recollections posted here, I see a record of my growth and my foibles.

4. Thank you, the many of you care for me.  It's gratifying connecting with many from the U.S. and around the world. I've experienced kindness and support that transcends nationalism, religion and political beliefs.  I welcome the Russian, German, Polish, UK, Romanian and Spanish visitors. Your attendance here has grown over the past months.  I'd love hearing from you.  Go ahead and comment in your language.  I hope to hear from you.

     As with everything written here, I ask you to take what you like and leave the rest.

     Thank you for sharing your life, when posting comments. Thank you for your kind words and insights.  More importantly, thank you for the constant reminder that we are not alone.  Your companionship makes weathering any of life's storm that much easier.

      A long while ago, I read someone referring to her blog as a toxic dump.  Much negativity was spewed there.  Easily, blogging can be narcissistic exercise, all about me, me and me, and it's could easily provide a forum for negativity.

      For the most part, my approach is different.  There is so much appreciate about life.  Even though I've been around the block a few times, I still am enamored with life and its riches.

      No matter what I encounter----and I had three devastating moments last month----the joys of life, nature and my relationship with God, friends and family far offset life's disappointments.  And am I glad, grateful.

      My vision for this inn has been, to pour the nuggets of happiness and vision of hope I have. They are the result of my nature as a constructive, upbeat, in-the-solution, grateful guy.  What most of you don't know is that I was severely abused as a child, adolescent and young adult.  Your comments let me know I'm succeeding in creating a bright spot of hope in the blogosphere.  That makes me feel good.

      I rather light a candle than curse the darkness.  Being the kind of person I'd like to have as a friend, is my goal.  Complaining all the time does not help.  It only makes our miseries appear larger and more disturbing.

       The changes I want to see in my life, overcoming challenges, requires a fortitude only God  and my Balcony People offer. They are incarnational ambassadors of His love.  I'm simply a beggar who has found a cache of bread---resources and tools---that allow me to move forward, even when pressing through the storms of life.

       I desire to be the change I want to see in the world, to quote Gandhi.  Thanks to my spiritual walk----being in conscious contact with the God of my understanding (through prayer, meditation and serving my fellow man) I am privileged having a fantastic, deep, rich, amazingly satisfying life-----even in while living in the midst of difficult times. And for that, I'm grateful.

       I have to go, but I'd love hearing  your comments on this anniversary day.

       Loving those of  you who drop by,

May your weekend be terrific. I know mine will be, because I keep looking up.