First Quarter Report

Well, the numbers are in for our first quarter, and it doesn't look promising.  

Year of Gratitude 2013 started off gangbusters, with a whopping 23 blog posts in the first month.  That number was reduced over 50% in February, which we attribute to the fact that February has fewer days than January [um, 3].  And in the final month of the first quarter, well our number of blog posts was cut in half yet again.  If this pattern continues, we can expect two posts in April and one final post in May before closing our doors and selling off the office furniture [um, you mean the sofa?]. 

The good news is, I made a bar chart in pink, and pink is pretty.

Thank you for pink.

Now, I have already written two blog posts in April.  Which means that this very post marks a turning point.  We have every confidence that we have passed the vertex and are on the upswing.  But as with swings, friends, it's helpful to have someone there to, well, push.  

Thank you for swings and the wind in your face.  Thank you for the friends who push you higher.

Thank you, Steve, Ric, Tandy, Greg, Katie S., and Micaela for your comments.  Those positive "pushes" have kept this swing in the air.  Thank you, Kathy; your email gave me a boost, too.  Thank you, Drew, for keeping the word of mouth going.  Thank you, readers everywhere, for reading my blog; your growing numbers encourage me to ride [write] on.

Thank you for readers and writers.

Okay, I have a lot of thankful to be if I want to see the bars on my chart show an increase.  I need to get thanking.  There's nothing like a bar chart to tell you what a miserable failure you are.

Thank you for visual aids.

I do have much to be thankful for.  Parents are at the top of my list, but I'm finding the topic difficult to write about.  It's coming.  Also, conference calls.  I'll tell you all about it soon.

In conclusion, the first quarter of the Year of Gratitude 2013 has had its highs and lows.  Just like all swings.  If you find yourself, as I have, slowing down or feeling uninspired, ask your friends for a push or a shove.  No one should swing alone.  Furthermore, if you know someone who has lost momentum and is just dangling, a gentle hand on the back and kind word from you could be all it takes to put things in motion again.

Dear God, thank you for support and encouragement.  Thank you for hugs and handshakes, high-fives and pats on the back.  Thank you for clapping and cheering and all the ways loud and soft that we show our loved ones that we are rooting for them.  Thank you for your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit encouraging, loving, and moving us always.