why not you?

On Sunday, Russell Wilson led his Seahawks to a serious Super Bowl victory. In pre- and post-game interviews, commentators highlighted Wilson's mantra for the season: why not you? His father asked him this question repeatedly throughout his childhood and into his pro career. For a "smaller" quarterback like Wilson, he had to prove he was worth the extra look. At the beginning of this pivotal season, Russell Wilson asked his team the same question: why not us? The Seahawks are proof positive of a team rallying behind their leader--and believing they really could go the distance. I enjoyed the commercials this year, but truly, my takeaway from Super Bowl XLVIII was this question from Russell Wilson's dad.

Since the Super Bowl, I have been continuously asking myself the same question: why not me? Every day, I have the opportunity to share a part of myself with others--at my job, through my blog, and with my family and friends. I started blogging in 2010 to find a creative outlet and to find a community. I didn't start blogging to get a book deal or to make big money {though either of those outcomes would be tremendous}. Big props to Harrison Wilson III for making me realize something important about life: if I don't believe opportunities are out there, I'm never going to find them. Whether in blogging or in life, I have to keep pushing for more. I have to believe that what I do is good {and even great, on occasion}. I need to have the confidence to seek out the things I want. Little reminders from the Wilson family serve as that extra push to reach even higher--and not stop until I get there.

If you're a blogger, how do you quiet the nay-saying demons and keep your voice alive? Some people may beg to differ, but I don't measure a blogger's success in their pageviews or followers. I measure it in their ability to affect the way I see things and to inspire me to do something differently. My new goal is to be this same blogger for others. At beginning of 2014, I pledged to bring you my best. This post is my promise to you that won't quit until I get there. I'd rather give you two great posts a week than four which don't somehow enrich your life. Above all, thank you for sticking with me on this journey. You're the reason I'm here. xoxo {av}

P.S. I did some digging and found a long excerpt from Steve Maraboli featuring this same question. I figured it was worth mentioning if he laid claim on this phrase.