Last Friday, melissaschlies.com quietly turned four. I hadn’t planned on mentioning it. After all, who celebrates four years? Typically, anniversaries are commemorated in fives. Not only that, but
I thought I’d be further along in my writing journey by now.
When I hit “publish,” on my first post, I had big dreams. Mostly of writing books. But also of creating a space on the internet to help others grow, find hope, and also, pursue their purpose. And, to some extent, I do feel we’re beginning to do that last part. Only sometimes, when we have big goals, it makes it difficult to see all the wins and growth we’re achieving along the way.
When we have big goals, it makes it difficult to see all the wins and growth we’re achieving along the way.
For this reason, the fourth anniversary of the blog almost came and went without any notice. But then I had a conversation with Tony that changed my mind. In passing, I mentioned the blog was turning four, and ever my greatest supporter, he celebrated how far I’ve come. He reminded me,
I’m a much better writer than I was four years ago.
He should know. He has read and edited every single one of my posts before it’s been published. He is the unsung hero of this endeavor. And his acknowledgement of my growth as a writer, made me realize that as my writing improves, I’m better able to serve you. Not only that—but when I finally send in the proposals for the book ideas percolating in my brain—they will be stronger because of this journey.
This brings me to one other very important thing I have to celebrate after blogging for four years: You. Some of you have been on this journey with me since the beginning. Others of you have joined me this year. But each interaction I’ve had with you—here, through my email list, or on social media—has been such a blessing.
It is a gift to talk about life with you.
To know you take precious time out of your schedule to read my words. To realize you’ve come back to read more, even after some of my posts were just “eh.” And to cherish each time you’ve written or commented to tell me something I’ve said encouraged you on your journey.
This year has been extremely hard for all of us. Many of us have been working on projects and dreams for years—only to find them face unimaginable obstacles.
This year has been extremely hard for all of us. Many of us have been working on projects and dreams for years—only to find them face unimaginable obstacles. Just as I was tempted to pass over this milestone on the blog, many of us have felt so defeated, we’ve wondered if there’s even a point to celebrating our small wins. Only, as I talked to Tony and reflected on these past four years together, I realized,
Small wins are so much bigger than we realize.
Within them are so many moments we didn’t give up. Connections and relationships built that wouldn’t exist otherwise. And growth, that we may not fully see the fruit of for months or even years to come.
So friends, here I am, a few days late, celebrating fours years of being on this writing journey with you. It is my prayer that this is still only the beginning. That in the years to come we will be celebrating these small wins because of all the fruit they have yielded in our lives and in our world.
Friends, what small wins do you need to celebrate this season?
What ways are you showing up in your life that make you braver and stronger than you know?
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Photo by Danny Kang on Unsplash
