A relatively new reader to this blog emailed about finding the archive of older posts on this blog, from three years ago:

"I was fascinated by the posts because the "voice" of those posts is very different from the "voice" of newer posts. Not different in a bad/good/value-assigning way–it was just evident that time and experience had elapsed since they were written. And that by itself is intriguing–to see someone’s creative journey, their own path through following their own passion and vision, span over three years–really intriguing."

The reader went on to talk about posts that I had long forgotten, but which documented very visceral experiences at the time. A post on bouncing between dreaming about a steady paycheck as a new solopreneur and reveling in my new found freedom. A post about having to stroke my ego everytime I blogged. When I read these posts again, two thoughts come to mind. I’m surprised that I was still making the transition to being my own boss, more than two years after starting my business. And the other thought is that I still procrastinate on blogging, maybe not for the same reasons, but I still do it. I am also left with the feeling that I have made progress in the last three years.

It’s a real gift when someone reminds you of the journey you’ve taken. I suppose this is the opposite of jet lag–forgetting that you’ve traveled five time zones away from where you started and what it took to get there. Sort of like when you fly to Maui in the middle of the winter and after a couple of days there, you take for granted the warmth, humidity and tropical flora.

If you really want to feel grateful, have someone remind you of the journey you’ve taken. Chances are that you’ve forgotten, too.