For over three years now, I have laid my soul out for the world to see in this blog. I have shared a little more than I thought I should, and worked out answers to questions in front of you like an algebra problem on an infinite online chalkboard. I have offered advice with no guarantees and declarations of faith with no proof. And occasionally I wrote something that made a difference.
Maybe it was just a small difference for you at a particular moment when you really needed it. Or it was bigger than that, setting off a series of events that produced positive change in your life. Or it just made you laugh and brightened your day when things seemed a little dark.
Writing has had a therapeutic effect on me too. When I get weak, whiny or down on myself, you have challenged me to go back and read my own blogs, take two aspirin and call you in the morning. I like friends who will do that for me. I am human. I have accomplished many things, but I am not always strong, motivated or optimistic.
Which brings me to today’s point… a blog is about the dialogue. This is not a lecture; it’s more of a group project. You are as much a part of this ongoing story as I am. Many times your comments far outshine my content in their wisdom and insight and I would love to see more of that. Consider this an open invitation to join the conversation, and I promise to respond to every single post going forward.
You don’t know for sure who’s reading when you throw your thoughts out there on the infinite chalkboard, but I know based on what many readers tell me that it’s making a difference to someone. Today’s question: Which Short Story or reader comment had the most impact on you?
“Write on” in the comments box below. Your voice matters.
***
Special thanks to these readers whose comments were published in the new fundraising book Getting to the Point: Jeff Goad, Rich Knight, Stacey Kumagai, Roland Takaoka, Rick Thompson, and Tom Rosten.
Get the book and contribute to the cause: https://davidgoadspeaks.com/book.htm
David,
Your latest blog post is always my favorite. Guess I am just a ‘what have you done for me lately’ kind of guy.
Your posts are fresh and interesting and – most importantly – do not involve whining.
Keep up the good work and I will try to fulfill my end of the bargain.
Boiler Up!
Haha, thanks Larry! I try to keep the whining to a minimum 🙂 And the Boilers better be up if they want to make the tournament this year!
Writing has been a necessary form of communication for all humans. From the archaeological cave dwellers; to the quill-penned carrier pigeon letters; to the manual typewritten letters with white-out correction sheets before liquid paper was created; to modern day blogging….. expressing one’s self is vital to human existence. When we get outside our heads and choose to express and share, we not only can inspire and teach others, but we ourselves can learn many things we never noticed before – because now we can read things with our own eyes.
I don’t think any ‘one’ writing can impact anyone all the time as much as it can resonate at the RIGHT TIME, when are ready to receive certain messages, comprehend meaning and perhaps relate to what is being shared, based on where any of us are in our present life experience.
If you look back on your life now, you may find things you learned as a child finally have made a stronger impact now that you understand more of purpose and meaning of life. If you look at high school or college – maybe some of the books you read then, didn’t make much sense, but now have some sort of profound deeper meaning because there are parallels that relate to what is going in on your personal world.
Everything has a purpose, a reason, a season for being. And everyone has a story to tell or share or experience that matters somehow.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that we show up in life and live it. If we have a chance to share and write about it – great. If we just continue living and experiencing and pass down really great stories around a camp fire or during dinner time with our family or friends or stand in the street with our neighbor after a long day of work and share something…..even better.
If we can learn each day and grow each day through our own experience or shared experiences….that’s truly what life is about.
Namaste.
Stacey
Thanks Stacey. You are certainly right about timing… sometimes my willingness to share at a certain time results in me getting much-needed advice or healing in return. I really appreciate what you bring to Short Stories with a Point, and I was proud to include some of your thoughts in the new book 🙂
Thank you for always sharing, David. One of the great magical truths the Universe gives us is timing. Sometimes timing can hit on many levels across the board to the masses; sometimes a select few who really need to hear something. We never quite know the impact until it is our time to either inspire others or be inspired by others. It’s quite a powerful thing. But it’s a gift that I know I’m always thankful for. This is quite a sharing circle right here. Let’s all sing Kumbaya! 🙂 Hey, wasn’t that an episode from Clokey Productions….. “Davey?” 😉
As I have written to you before, being the self-centered putz that I am, I enjoy all your posts that I can use for sermon fodder, and there have been many. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!
Dave, it’s interesting that you use the word “self-centered” when you are making the effort to sharie a positive message with a congregation full of searchers. I think you should reconsider that thought, because I have granted you unlimited permission to share! Have a great week 🙂
One, just one? Really?
The ones where you didn’t meet a goal but didn’t get down and whine but rather, took it as a lesson? The ones which shared your brothers’ peaks and valleys which left me in tears… both good and bad? Oh wait, maybe the one about peaks and valleys? l
Maybe the goofy guy at the college, the downtrodden looking man downtown (?) or the odd guy on the train stories reminding, to discount no one?
The ones encouraging to keep trying public speaking, remaining positive or allowing ones self to fail?
Oh, and the dialogue? One word… perspective!! We all have our own… and that’s okay, we’re learning through others lifestyles and perspectives.
Yes, I could’ve opened the book that was delivered last week and selected one but, I chose to go freestyle and depend on my memory… alas, I failed to remember just one. No, I’m not beating myself up over it… thank you David!
You’re awesome, Julie 🙂 Thanks for being such a long time reader!
i tend to like the ones concerning meeting people out of your normal circle, i.e. Captain Bates, Pebbles. I cant quite remember the names of those stories at the moment. My ULTIMATE favorites are the “Elastic Limit” and “E-Ticket”. Your an excellent writer Mr. Goad. I look forward to reading more of your work. Stay positive kid
Thanks Rochelle! I’ll take that advice and make sure I keep myself open to people outside my so-called comfort zone. Open my eyes, and open my heart.