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The Power of Support

This is now my 408th post.  I've been on this journey for over a year and a half.  And It's been one of the best experiences of my life (still not nearly as amazing as marrying my beautiful wife).  But it's been quite a long journey.  In fact, while I was inspired by Tyler at 344pounds, I'm not sure if he ever visited my blog.  And that's okay.  He's busy, I'm busy, you're busy!  And though he was my source of original inspiration and I posted some comments on his blog, I never though that I would be as popular or followed as him.  I'm not.

Comments are great.  They can help you get through tough times; they can help you celebrate successes; they can correct bad behavior; they can give new ideas for making even better habits.  I do have some readers (I'm really not sure how many, but it's maybe 10 a day?).  But I don't get the comments that other blogs get.  I don't get 100 or 50...heck, I'm excited when I get to double digits!  I know there are ways to get more comments: I can hold give-aways, I can do workout challenges, I can post comments on other people's blogs (while advertizing my own).  There's a lot I can do.  There are articles and even books written on how to drive readers to your blog.  Lots of tools. Yes, comments are great.

But there's something more important than comments.  

Support.  Yes.  Support is so much more valuable than comments.  Now, granted, comments can give hints as to how much support you have.  But really, the power of ONE commenter is huge.  It doesn't take 25 or 50 or 100 commenters to have the support you need.  It only takes true champions who comment to help you succeed.

Why do I bring this all up?  Well, I just wanted to thank one commenter who really carried me through the early stages of my journey.  No, I wasn't really struggling, but he sure did encourage me.  That man, as most of you know, is Steve

He was my first commenter, and I think that he's my best blogging buddy.

My first blog post was on 04/04/09.  And I blogged pretty regularly for weeks, only talking to the air.  Eventually, I told my Small Group at my old church and my Interdenominational Couples Small Group.  But I don't think I really had many readers.  And I certainly didn't have any commenters. 

Nope.  My first comment came on the 10th week of my journey.  I was my wife, Anna.  And while that's a little like having your mom tell you that you're the most handsome boy in school, it sure did make me feel great!

It wasn't until my 13th week--a full 3 months into this journey--the first quarter of this new life--that I got my first non-wife comment.  That was good old Steve.  And he's been commenting ever since. 

Thank you Steve, and all of my other consistent commenters!  Your support means oh, so much.  And if anyone reading this think that their comments go un-read or un-welcomed on any blog, just think about how excited you get when a post of yours gets a comment.  So please, if you are reading blogs, just drop a note to those people--especially those who've just started--to encourage them--don't make them wait four months to hear from their Steve.

Wednesday:
100 sit ups
100 push ups
3 front planks
3 side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Total:
45 minutes of cardio
200 sit ups
200 push ups
3 front planks
3 side planks on each side
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily

Remaining:
Complete my weekly share of Hot 100 Goals
105 minutes cardio
15 miles walked/ran
100 sit ups
100 push ups
2 60-second front planks
2 60-second side planks
pray daily
read the bible daily
read my devotion daily
fast

Calories:
Monday: dunno
Tuesday: 2,422 Calories
Wednesday: 2,472 Calories

7 comments:

  South Beach Steve

October 14, 2010 at 4:30 AM

Beej, I could have written most of this myself. Beyond that, I appreciate your thankfulness, but I truly feel this is reciprocal.

One thing you wrote really stuck out to me though. "He's busy, I'm busy, you're busy!" How true; however, I think most of us who blog about our journeys know we that we do better with encouragement and support. Not all of us are that way, but most of us are. That really fuels the burn in me to support others. Like you, I went a long time without a comment, and much longer after that with just one or two a day. To be honest, I think in the right set of circumstances I could have drifted off into my old life again and no one would have noticed. One simple comment can change that though. Knowing someone is there for us, supporting us, encouraging us, calling us out when we need it. It really makes all the difference.

I know I am repeating myself, but I am truly honored Beej, and just so you'll know, I think of you as my best blogging buddy.

  Anonymous

October 14, 2010 at 7:33 AM

Beej, I agree it's not the number of comments, but rather the quality of them that are going to bring us where we want to be. I appreciate your comments as well as many others because on some level everyone one of are or have been going through what I and many others are. Sure there is some fun things you can do with your comments like I did yesterday...but just having people that care is the best thing.

  Allan

October 14, 2010 at 1:54 PM

I am inspired, and that helps me more than I can say. Thanks for the effort, so I can copy !!

  Call Me Ishmael

October 14, 2010 at 5:06 PM

The world needs more Steve, that's for sure. I'm 100 percent with you on the Steve-love, Beej. He is the master-poster, and he uncannily turns up just when one needs his support most. It's a gift, I think!

  Julie

October 15, 2010 at 5:21 AM

Good morning and I'm guilty. But only because I just found you from Steve's Hot 100. I sure wish I had known you were here a long time ago. Oh well, you don't mind if I start here and follow along do you? I do have to go read more and see what's what about you and your life style changes but I'm excited at that idea. Someone new to learn from, someone new to share with, someone new to visit and cheer on. So my dear Beej, from what I've read already you are doing excellent. We all have "those" days but you keep picking yourself up, getting back on and working hard. YEAH!!!! for you.
Now take care and have a blessed Friday. I'll be back to visit you again.

  Pippa * Jeanne

October 17, 2010 at 7:35 AM

Beej, 100% agreed that Steve is a Master of Support & Encouragement.

As for comments, I find that blogging is all about conversation. Blogs where conversation happens between the blogger and his/her commentors are the ones which sustain my interest. I'm not saying life is all about reciprocation, because yes, we're all way too busy - just that it is in the conversation where inspiration and motivation happen, and where we are kept accountable.

This, I believe, is Steve's secret, and it's one I am VERY thankful for. As you said, we all have the power to be somebody's Steve.

Great tribute!

  Josie @thestartingline

October 18, 2010 at 10:07 AM

Steve was my first commenter as well. How he knows where/how to find these new blogs to welcome them, I'll never know! But he found me and, like you, was my biggest (and only) supporter in the beginning.

Beej, I found you through Steve, back when he listed you in his blog spotlight of the week (or something like that?) It directed me to a post of yours where you had posted pictures of your progress and I was so inspired by you. I have been hooked ever since!

Great post, beej - I, too, am thankful to Steve, and you, and everyone else who has supported me along this journey. I would have quit long ago had it not been for that support!