1,000 – Thank You!

Posted on by ben Alexander

Friends,

Initially, I intended not to mark this milestone for ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’ publicly because… well… it rather feels to me like I’m flaunting this achievement. However, I have been seriously reconsidering this thinking because of my strong sense of community here on WordPress. I sincerely hope that none of you find this post to be in poor taste.

You see, I have decided to share this with you because this is actually our milestone, rather than mine; and I don’t take you for granted.

It’s also that blogging is, by its very nature, a deliberately interactive form of writing. Publishing is instantaneous, and the discussions that ensue in the comments sections are just as significant as the posts themselves, if not more so. Personally, I often find myself perusing the comment sections of other people’s blog posts even before I read the entries above them.

My ulterior motive for posting this update is that I would be especially happy to hear from you about what kind of content you, my community, would like me to create. I love writing, and I have been ever so greatly enjoying this blogging project, but there is no question that you and our relationship are the reason why I haven’t been writing in a private journal instead of a blog. Connecting with you is deeply important to me.

Friends, I appreciate you, and I profoundly appreciate our meaningful interactions.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
David

134 thoughts on “1,000 – Thank You!”

  8. Hi David.
    I don’t find this post anything but charming. I miss having a community a lot of the time but feel that everyone wants a community that centers around them, and the term “followers” makes the whole blog interaction feel hierarchical. I have a tough time shaking the sense of competition that is so very hard to avoid among writers. I very rarely comment on blogs. But I read. And am glad to be “following” your blog. Congratulations on the milestone.

    1. Thanks, Ren – that is a very thoughtful and kind comment. I try not to be competitive, and actually the number of “followers” is somewhat meaningless if we’re being honest… because a lot of bloggers have “followers” who aren’t actually active on WP any longer, nor reading anything at all. If you’re on WP long enough, that’s bound to happen. The question, in my mind, is – how many meaningful interactions do our thoughts and reflections generate?

      Yours,
      David

      1. I know what you mean about the number of followers – even if a percentage is spam, the high number still means there are more genuine readers, right? So I don’t think you’re wrong to celebrate! And I do believe you spark more meaningful thoughts than you will ever know!

        There are days when I think “why bother” (I have nowhere near 1000 followers and the vast majority are spam) but then one person sends a private note because they don’t want to leave a public comment. That only happens once a year – but it is everything. I’m glad I found your blog – I think it was via twitter.

    1. Jen, that is incredibly kind – I love your work very much too ๐Ÿ™‚
      (sometimes you don’t allow comments so I can’t express that to you regularly)

      Yours,
      David

      1. Thank you for saying. I’m often very ill & only have so much energy in a day so I leave them open when I know I’ll be able to respond. Otherwise, I’d be bombarded by notifications. I have enough of them on Twitter. ๐Ÿ™‚ I do appreciate you reading my stuff though.

      1. You’re very welcome. I am an advocate for blunt openness in writing, yet have my own shortcomings. For I am learning and developing a new nature. Because as you know by now, I am a learner of Christ (yet never to push or argue my belief). I don’t think he ever did that- and my eyes are on him.

  18. Happy 1k!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ† So pleased that you reached that mile marker on this journey of words and the meanings that fall in their spaces. Whatever strikes your pen is cool with me. I enjoy your posts. Blessings โค๐Ÿ˜Š๐ŸŒˆ๐ŸŽ‚

  25. Congratulations David!!!!!
    I know I felt the same way but then my friend say “No Cindy, it is important to share with our community because they helped you get there”. Even though you and I are new WP friends, I truly appreciate your unique writing, wisdom, support and I love whatever you write! โค๏ธ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ Now, TAKE A BOW! โค๏ธ

      1. You’re so welcome!
        Ohhhhhh…. that’s really nice to hear, thanks for sharing that… this one comment makes posting it all worth it! โค๏ธ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ˜˜

  27. Congratulations David, a big milestone and a lot more to come undoubtedly! I really like reading your blog and the varied contents ๐Ÿ’–

  28. Alf Mabrook David! Mazeltov! You deserve many thousands more..You are so supportive of other writers and poets as well as offering your brilliant eclectic buffet, of your own poetry..I would say..just keep doing what you are doing…and write from your heart, your spirit generosity… your special talent that have to tell a story that connects people to it and each other.

        1. When people thank you, it is customary to answer “Al lo davar” (ืขื‡ืœ ืœึนื ื“ื‡ื‘ื‡ืจ) or “Eyn be’ad ma” (ืึตื™ืŸ ื‘ึฐืขึณื“ ืžึธื”), both meaning “for nothing”. Alternatively, you can say “Bevakashah” (ื‘ึฐึผื‘ึทืงึธืฉึธืื”), which means both “please” and “you’re welcome”.

          From here: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Hebrew/Elementary/Lesson_1

        2. Ah, Al lo davar: yes -I was taught to just say Bevakashah, but it always felt a bit too ‘pat,’ if that makes sense, after I heard Israelis responding with Al lo davar.
          Thank you for that -I always thought I was hearing Ein Baya! ๐Ÿ™‚

  35. Congratulations, David! You are a very gifted writer with the ability to touch through your words.
    The best part of blogging is the interaction with fellow bloggers. Here’s to many more poems and comment-chats! โค๏ธ

  38. David, I am glad you chose to share your milestone with your readers. You are a very talented writer and a warm and generous human being. I always appreciate your encouraging words! โค Heartfelt congratulations! Have a great day!

    1. My first name is David.

      In Hebrew, ‘ben’ means ‘son of’, and my father’s name was Alexander. So, according to Jewish tradition, I am David ben Alexander.

      Thanks so much for the kind words.

      Yours,
      David

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