What is the best way to thank a group of people for helping me achieve a goal? By using what I know how to use best: My words.
No one can succeed in life without the help of others. It's impossible. Movie studios would fold without moviegoers. Books would not become bestsellers without purchasers. Children would not thrive without a supportive community surrounding them.
It really does take a village.
In the world of blogging the same is true. A successful blogger has to provide quality content and share it throughout social media. But their blog would never succeed on its own. Bloggers must engage in communities of bloggers and non-bloggers who, hopefully, become loyal readers.
In those communities the magic begins. New friendships are born and old ones are strengthened. You support each other through comments, shares, likes, tweets and pins. In doing so you're growing each other's audience, and your vision becomes a reality.
“When one person succeeds, we win as a group of people. Support others dreams so we can all win.” ~Bianca Frazier
I've learned a lot about blogging and social media since my first blog post in 2012. What surprised me the most was what I learned about myself a few months after I began to blog. I felt in my heart that I wanted to not only write about midlife, which was my original mission, but to also dedicate myself to helping the Multiple Sclerosis and disability community.
I now know my purpose in life is to help others. I can't explain why doing so makes me feel complete except it simply does. That may sound Pollyanish but so be it. After half a century it was nice to finally become acquainted with myself.
"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." Albert Schweitzer
But I wouldn't be able to reach my goals without the guidance, support, enthusiasm, constructive criticism and love from all of you. In these last few weeks of Healthline's Best Health Blog Contest of 2015, despite all of the glitches, I've been overwhelmed by your kindnesses. I am extremely grateful for your support and I thank you.
I dislike contests because there are winners and losers and that never feels right to me. Take a look at all of the nominated blogs at Healthline. Every single one is a winner. Each one is amazing by making a difference to countless people. Kudos to every one of them.
I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me. You were incredible despite the many glitches that happened every single day. It was maddening for all of us and I thank you for sticking with it to get your vote to finally count. You inspire me to keep doing what I do, letting me believe that I must be doing something right. I hope I am.
I'd like to thank a few people in particular whose generosity in sharing the contest, and inspiring me to keep on trying when I wanted to give up, helped me more than they know. You are all amazing people and it's an honor to know you:
Helene Cohen Bludman (Books is Wonderful)
Shelley Zurek (Still Blonde After All These Years)
Kim Jorgensen Gane (GANE Possible)
Theresa Dillman Lennox (Writing Creatively)
Doreen McGettigan (Doreen McGettigan: They say every one has a story...this is Mine)
Denise Gabbard (Denise Gabbard: Helping Businesses Thrive)
Terry Crawford Palardy (Terry's Thoughts and Threads - also nominated. Congrats!)
Gabrielle Seekeley (Thursday's Child Consulting)
Elena Peters (Living with Batman)
Walker Thornton (WalkerThornton.com)
Nancy Hill (Women's Legacy Project)
Joan Bickley Stommen (GramCracker Crumbs)
Julia Miles Robinson (Library Park Dental Julia is working on other projects as well and will return to her own blog soon to write incredible posts!)
Alicia Searcy (Spashionista)
Michelle Poston Combs (Rubber Shoes in Hell)
Lee Gaitan (Lee Gaitan: Just Don't Bounce, Bounce Back)
Last but never least I'd like to thank my mother. She put together her own email list to ask friends and relatives to vote for me. She's always been my biggest fan and the first to privately tell me her thoughts on my work. As a parent I now understand how difficult my diagnosis must have been for her. Thanks, Mom, for your constant love and support. You are an amazing lady.
*My sincere apologies if I inadvertently left any names out.
Thank you, that's very sweet. I think we lift all of us up when we help one another.
Oh wow...thank you so much. How kind and beautiful you are.
So kind of you, Cathy. You have a huge following that loves and appreciates you. You give so much to others; of course we want to give back to you. Next year we'll get that ranking even higher. xoxo
I put in a couple of votes for you too xx So good to see you come up trumps and do so well in the competition.
What's that saying...a rising tide raises all ships? Your success lifts us all up, Cathy. It's an honor to know you!
Lovely sentiment. Good luck in the contest!
Cathy, it's so kind of you to include me here. I'm so happy to support the wonderful work that you do. You ARE making a difference. No doubt about it!
Congratulations, not just for being part of the 'contest', but really for having a group of amazing women friends supporting you. You are a generous spirit and I hope you will continue to be able to serve and succeed! Xoxo
You're #1 to me! Congratulations on just being YOU.
Thank yous are the best part of life, aren't they? Your accomplishments are something we should thank you for, too, as you are making a difference.
Congratulations! I wish we could spend time together again.
It was fun, though baffling, to check into the site each day and at least try to vote - I keep telling people that this is NOT my century ... but I'll do my best to keep up with it!
And it was always a good feeling when I did manage to break through the glitches and vote for your blog ... so worth it!
Congratualtions, Cathy, and best wishes for continued success.
Terry, of Terry's Thoughts and Threads
You are an inspiration to all of us, and it was our pleasure to vote for you. Sometimes there were glitches but we just plugged along....which is what you teach us to do in our lives! Thank YOU, Cathy for the words you use to express and inspire.
Supporting people I believe in something that I do not for the thank you but because I know that it all comes back around. Congratulations on meeting your goal.
You came in high this year but you are always tops with me on your writing, your advocacy and you!!!
Cathy, I love the work you do. I feel the same way as you, about using my work to serve others, so lets be Pollyanna-ish together. 🙂
We are always here, always reading and responding in our hearts.
How lucky you are to have a Mom who is your biggest fan! She's absolutely right to be proud of you and what you've accomplished.
Congrats, Cathy! Well deserved nomination and I'm glad you ultimately found it to be a positive experience. Love that your mom did that. 🙂
Hi Cathy! It's clear that you have many fans here on SM and I hopeyou know all of us were rooting and voting for you as well. While you didn't "win" the money, coming in #7 is still very impressive and sure to make you proud and to prove that you do indeed make a difference in the lives of your readers and friends. Just remember, in the end the numbers don't really matter. It only takes one person, one reader that you helped today, to make it all worthwhile. ~Kathy
I am still stunned that they never answered any of my emails other than to say they were looking into it.
There is no doubt and I believe there is something bigger and better for you!
Cathy, congrats on your placement in the contest. There is nothing like our blogging community to lift up our collective spirits!
Beautiful way of saying thanks to all the people that inspired and supported you. Through your post, you have shared so much knowledge and information to your readers which are really helpful. Thank you.
I really loved reading your blog as part of the blog share , wow you are inspiring but also so real thank you for sharing your story and information with the world