What Is The Best Way To Thank You?

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.