My Dearest Readers:
After giving it much thought, I have decided to retire from blogging. This is my final post. The decision to walk away is not something that I take lightly, but one in which I have tried to look at carefully. Ultimately, the choice was actually a simple one because I’m finally realizing that I have spent an inordinate amount of time tending to my blog and the art of blogging.
This is not a sad day. Rather, it’s a FANTASTIC day because today is the day that I’m taking steps towards fulfilling my goal of making my life a happier and more effective one.
It finally dawned on me that instead of writing about happiness, I should actually live it each and every day. I’m going to stop talking about it and start doing it. I know, I know. It’s a “no-duh” kind of thing. But each of us must learn our life lessons in our own time and in our own way.
I’ve never been good at multitasking and blogging, in addition to everything else in my life, became a balancing act — one I wasn’t very effective at performing. There were, at least for me, simply too many things to balance and not enough limbs with which to do it.
My wonderful wife has been extremely understanding and has supported and encouraged me to do what makes me happy. Through the past (almost) two years of blogging, she’s never once asked me to give it up. This is a decision that I’m making in the best interest of myself and my family.
The BeyondBehaviors.Com site will still be up as I believe that it serves a purpose. Its future is uncertain and when the domain and hosting plan expire, then they expire. No regrets.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the readers who have contributed to BeyondBehaviors and towards my own development. I have learned a great deal about blogging, the WordPress platform, and from my interactions with fellow bloggers like Lorelle on WordPress, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, and Tina Su of ThinkSimpleNow. I wish them and their blogs much success in the coming years.
People who know me and my work ethics know that what I do, I try to do well. What I envision for my professional future requires time and commitment away from blogging. Two years ago, while living and working on Saipan, I made the conscious decision to walk away from time dedicated to beach volleyball (something I truly enjoy) to concentrate my efforts and devote time (away from work) to training school staff on school crisis management. During that time, I missed beach volleyball very much, but I had no regrets because that decision was the right one and proved later on to be a very smart move.
I feel good about my decision and am confident that walking away from blogging at this point in my life is the best thing for me.
It has been a privilege to interact, share with, and learn from each of you here on BeyondBehaviors.Com. My hope for you is to always believe that “You Will Because You Can.”
Wishing everyone good mental and emotional health,
Steve
January 31st, 2008 at 5:56 am
Steve,
I thought your blog was interesting, insightful, and at times inspirational. I am certainly sad to see the final post.
Still, i think it’s great that you have had some thought and made a conscious decision about it.
I wish you good luck in your future efforts.
~ James
January 31st, 2008 at 10:02 am
Steve…
I am disappointed to see you leave as I have just found you…you have inspired me in such a short time. However, I respect, and admire, your decision to move on and do what makes you happy. Too many will not take measures to ensure their own happiness or will sacrifice it for the sake of the happiness of others.
Good luck to you in future endeavors! Please take care and I hope you’ll stop by and visit me from time to time! *HUGS & SMILES*
~ Laura
January 31st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Steve, I’m sad to see you go. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, but I’m glad you’re doing what you feel needs to be done to progress your life the way you want it to. I wish you luck in all that you do. Keep in touch.
-Adam Kamerer
January 31st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
James: Thank you for the kind and beautiful words you’ve shared. I really appreciate it.
Laura: I know. It’s like you’re just starting to get to know someone and suddenly they move or leave. Thank you for your comments about taking measures to ensure my happiness. I deeply believe that it’s one of our highest aspirations in life.
Adam: Thank you. I have really appreciated your contributions and insights over the past several weeks. Your comments added to the conversation and ultimately the “feel” of this blog. Again, thank you.
——
Saying goodbye is never easy and in some ways saying goodbye to people you’ve connected with online but never met in person is surreal. Whatever this blogging thing is, it’s special because it has allowed me to experience a sense of camaraderie and of feeling connected and “heard” unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. Thanks again for your kind comments.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I really did enjoy your blog. It was a rare blog in which I actually looked forward to a new posting. Moreover, your blog was the furtherest thing away from generic, or repetition, I feel it had a rare quality.
“But each of us must learn our life lessons in our own time and in our own way.”
Isn’t this the truth.
It seems your blog was just gaining steam… You could also consider cutting your entries in half or even 1/3.
Either way, I appreciate the many fine and inspirational posts you have done during the time I’ve been aware of your blog. Best of luck to you in all of your endeavors.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Bamboo: Thank you so much for those wonderful praises. I am humbled by your kindness and appreciate your contributions here at BeyondBehaviors.Com.
I thought about cutting back on posting but I’d feel like I’m doing a half-hearted job. Who knows what the future will bring and perhaps I’ll start up again one day. For now, I’m happy that I can concentrate on other areas of my life, both personally and professionally.
Again, thank you and best of luck to you.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Steve,
I will certainly miss your insights and throught provoking posts. I wish you and Miwa all the best! Please give her my regards. And I do hope we can keep in contact via email, even infrequent emails are a wonderful way to stay in touch.
Regards,
D.C.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Deece: Thank you. I still visit your blog and look forward to those Wednesday photos. Wishing you, James, and the kids all the best.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Steve, Just wanted to say hi. Have enjoyed your “Blogs” and am sorry you’ve decided to give em up as they are very inciteful and thought provoking. Anyways, good luck, hope all is going well with you and the wife there. BTW, if ya don’t remember me, I am still teaching at MHS here on Saipan.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Harry: Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words. We’re adjusting to life back in Texas and the fast-paced lifestyle once again. It’s very different from Saipan but since I grew up here it’s home.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I just discovered your blog a couple of months ago, I’m sad to see you go. I wish you the best of luck in finding your happiness, wherever that may be.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Thanks Jonathan. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave your comments.
March 18th, 2008 at 6:40 am
See ya. We learned a lot from your example. Feel free to add our email to any list and should we all end up in the same neck of woods, Erdene and I would love to run into you again. I respect your decision, but I’m sticking with the blgger world, as we are a long way from the usual life. All the same, thanks again. Your example on Saipan will carry on further than you might believe right now.
March 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Mark: Thank you for the kind words.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Blogger or not, life is still great with Steve & Miwa in this world!! : )
April 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Thank you Gus. I think about you and Cinta and Saipan all the time. In fact, my daily ritual is to check the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety everyday. Hope all is well in your part of the world my friend. I miss you guys so much!