On Continual Growth

“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.”

– Terry Pratchett,
Author and Unintentional Mentor to a Generation of Smartasses.
Myself Included.

And here we are.

Last day of the first month of a new year. Three days before I’m 48. If I’ve learned anything from living this long and writing these articles for nearly fifteen years–in all their permutations, I must say it is this: Change is inevitable.

But it’s not just change, I’ve realized; it’s growth.

Though similar in thought, they’re really very different in practice. Compare the Oxford Languages definitions of both. “The act or instance of making or becoming different” versus “the process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually.” We don’t even have to say which is which, do we? It’s clear that change is simply different, where as growth has an implicit value, an inherent increase. Sure, sometimes that’s bad, like growth of my waist size or heartbreaking like the growth of a tumor, but most often and in most cases, growth is a net positive.

In the protozoan stages of this site, when it was a tiny blog called Synapse, Crackle, Pop Culture, I was writing often about what ever struck my fancy. It was formless but fun. Yet, without form, it lacked impact. A powerful conversation with a life-long pal who is also a successful writer with a rockin’ blog helped me refine my focus to writing about enjoyable living; combining my loves of writing, street-level psychology and, well, fun.

This focus has continued to refine over the last fifteen years and it’s happening again. Our dear, faithful readers may have noticed that 2023 has been a year of experimentation with new formats, publishing schedules and styles. Cards on the table; that was quite crucial for the longevity of this wordspace. I dearly love it, and will continue to do so, but I, too, need to shake things up, renew my energy and try new things to remain relevant and fresh. That’s true as a counselor, a writer, a spouse, a parent and a human.

The monthly publishing timeline seems to be working, and providing solid content, from the feedback I’ve heard. The Seasonal Six Word Stories also still rank high in readership, and I value them as a personal reflective exercise as well as modeling “walking the talk.” The Retrospective Intrusions which were introduced this year have also been an intriguing exercise for me, as well as a way to showcase some old audience favorites that may get lost for new readers amongst this now lengthy list of articles.

So, what’s new?

Speaking.

Last month you’ll recall I recorded, sent and posted another Holiday Story for Jon Solomon’s 25 Hour Holiday Radio Show on WPRB in Princeton, NJ. Folks, I find that medium intriguing. So, expect to see more of them, say once a season. I’m going to set myself a five-to-seven-minute target and see how that goes. This does not mean a shift from posting the written word to doing a podcast. Just breaking into something new. We’ll watch the metrics and see how it flies.

I see great things in the future of this space over 2024, and I’m psyched that you’re riding along with me.

Psyched, get it?

See, that would have been so much funnier if you heard it.