Thank you.

It's been a bumpy season and I couldn't do this without you. Seriously.

This is a note to tell you thank you.

You know those videos where someone is walking confidently, but then slams right into a glass door?

My last year felt like that.

I made plans. I worked extremely hard. I also ran into a bunch of glass doors.

To be clear, my battle wasn’t exactly with glass doors. My nemesis? Reality. It just kept hitting. I know many of you will know this feeling well, too. You set out with a mission. You launch out with a beautiful vision and then …. *wham*… face plant.

Last year:

I booked several speaking engagements that…. didn’t happen.

I had several projects lined up that … completely fell through.

At home, appliances rebelled against us. Trees shed giant limbs. Vehicles required repairs. Pipes burst. Bathrooms demanded they be gutted.

This, though, isn’t the full story. My wife, Kristi, and I navigated some really wonderful things (releasing a book! raising our kids! working on a new book!). Over the last few weeks I’ve been reflecting on this strange journey and realized something. These happy things all happened against a steady backdrop of uncertainty, frustration, and exhaustion. Yes, there were many unexpected setbacks in our way with disappointment and struggle BUT ….

There was you.

Your support carried me through this last year.

I mean it.

This is not hyperbole. I couldn’t have made it through the last year without the paid subscribers to this Substack. This is not me just trying to be nice. I really needed help and you were there . For real.

I’ve been mapping out a year ahead that I’m very excited about. I have so much that I’m eager to share with you, but I didn’t want to share any of it without first letting you know what a big deal your support has meant to me. Speaking honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without your kindness, generosity, and stubborn optimism.

I didn’t plan this. There was no strategy for beginning this Substack. I started sharing here and you showed up. You have supported and changed everything for me.

Thank you.

As we go forward, I’m certain there will be more glass doors. In the past, this might’ve slowed me down or dampened my enthusiasm. Not so anymore. I have supportive friends like you. Should my face plant in any unexpected barrier, I plan to respond like this kid:

Hello, glass door. Here’s a goofy, slobbery kiss. Thanks for the little visit, but I have a whole bunch of joy to share. Gotta go.