So I came home from work yesterday and plopped down on my couch, exhaled, and opened my laptop. I figured I’d scan a few websites for blog fodder and shareable links, then switch from slacks to jeans so I could cop a life-depleting meal in the mean streets of Harlem. As much as I wanted to eat broccoli or sugar snap peas, it wasn’t meant to be. I was destined to consume a chicken quesadilla at 8:38pm ET.
Little did I know that when I opened Twitter, I’d find the most substantial and encouraging message that I’ve seen since I started blogging:
I used your advice on cover letters and already got 2 interviews so a huge thank you for sharing. -@likkle_talawa
If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ve heard me say that one of my biggest goals with writing is to help people. If I entertain them along the way, cool. But my goal with all this isn’t to be an entertainer. It’s to be a valuable source of information, that people can take away from their keyboards and into their physical lives. When I saw that tweet, I high-fived Jesus and called my momma.
Aight…I’m exaggerating. I went to my fridge to find a beer so I could toast solo to the mini success. Unfortunately, there were no beers in the fridge, so I returned to the couch somewhat underwhelmed and mustered up a sincerely enthusiastic reply:
@slimjackson honestly, that’s the best tweet i’ve seen this year. happy to hear! knock out those interviews!
@slimjackson yall have no idea how happy it makes me to hear stuff like that. i’ll take one person succeeding off (my) advice over 300 fb likes on a post.
Whether or not she gets one of these two jobs is to be determined. But in a way, I’ve achieved a dream and confirmed the foundation of one of my major goals for 2012. The takeaway here for you as a reader is this:
If you read something or listen to someone and have even a modicum of success off their words, tell them. You never know when a simple thank you will help them solidify their purpose. Gratitude can be the greatest form of encouragement. And encouragement is what helps people achieve their dreams.
2-stepping in some NY Knicks basketball shorts while making it rain fire sauce packets,
That’s what it’s all about Slim!
There is so much good that can be shared with people, but too many people are focused on entertaining or being entertained. It’s time that we focus on how we can assist and uplift one another. Sure there’s nothing wrong with a good laugh, except the fact that it’s temporary. The way I see it, it is time to start leaving permanent and positive impacts on the people we interact with. I know that is a primary goal of mine. This was a great post. I’m really glad to hear someone benefited from the excellent post you did on cover letters. It’s truly a blessing!
I’m so glad you’re taking the lead on educating over entertaining. It is absolutely a responsibility of those with a platform to make a difference in people’s lives. I enjoy reading for entertainment sometimes, but I’m also a knowledge junkie, so i’m usually looking to take something away from what I’ve read.
It’s not just showing gratitude that matters. We must also remember to give back to those less fortunate. I recently started blogging & did a free live Xmas tree giveaway to single mothers in New Orleans. My decision to give away one tree led to enough donations to provide trees, decorations, and toys to 4 families with a total of 16 children.
I felt blessed to be a blessing to others who otherwise would not have had trees this year. I don’t know about everybody else, but I don’t remember what I got for Xmas growing up. What I remember is that we always had a tree that made the house smell like Xmas and made Xmas feel more like Xmas.
I reached out to help others less fortunate & have received commitments to help more single mothers next year.
I said all that to say, great job on what you’re doing & continue focusing on making a difference. You never know whose life you will touch.
Thanks for the message and the support. Just checked out your site and see that it’s full of inspiration. Good stuff.
I agree “Gratitude can be the greatest form of encouragement. And encouragement is what helps people achieve their dreams.” Yep.