And shocking.
I'm forever surprised who's keeping up.
Every day I write and post on my personal Facebook page ... the professional Facebook page ... the BlogSpot pages ... sometimes on LinkedIn ... and occasionally elsewhere ... people share it on their pages ... and WALLA! ... suddenly a couple of thousand of people read it.
Every day!
The trick is doing it every day.
The readers are always changing because the same people don't read it every day ... but the reach over the course of a week extends to tens of thousands.
It's nice when folks "like" it, better yet, "comment" with their own thoughts ... though it's an ever changing cast of characters.
"I read you every day," I'm often told, "but I'm not going to hit "like" every time or "comment" because I like what you said or think you're full of shit and neither require energy on my part."
I'm cool with that.
I've lived a public life ... saying things in the Press I wanted ... and I've always tried to be quiet and respectful when others reply ... good or bad ... because I've had my say ... now it's someone else's turn.
It's a grand metaphysical dialogue as far as I'm concerned.
But sometimes ... people chime in ... and touch my heart ... making me glad that in spite of time and distance ... they care enough to keep up ... or new unknown friends want to get involved.
Just yesterday ... my dear friends and partner Bob Colvin ... Laura Webb ... Joey Finch ... Mary Clayton Harris ... Ana Zandler Murphey ... Santa John Driggers ... and a "Holy Host of Others" take the time to write, filling my soul ... reminding me that sharing's better than hiding.
Terry Ball ... the great Public Servant ... it doesn't get any better than him.
There are others ... lots of others ... every single day ... sharing in their way ... Johnny O and Judy O ... O Johnny and O Judy ... the famous Dr. Jim Withers ... Carlito in St. Martin ... Sandy Durden ... Derick and Michelle ... and another entirely separate order of "Holy Hosts."
The Press reads it and sometimes what I write turns into "News."
Then there are those who read and private message or keep private and bring it up latter in live conversation.
It's funny and humbling.
It's a world wide audience beginning outside our front door.
"Sarah's pretty mum about whatever it is I have to say because she fearlessly protects our solitude and I'm so "out there."
"Let it out and let it in," The Beatles advise.
I agree.
I have my say ... letting it out.
Others have theirs and I do my best to let it in.
It's a pretty good way to find balance I think.
Like "Ying and Yang" ... Tao ... or "finding your life by losing it."
It's just amazing how big my world is!
