I’m celebrating something big!

 

But first, a little story...

 

Years ago, I finished my 12th speech in Toastmasters and officially became a Toastmaster.

 

Toastmasters is an organization that helps people become better public speakers, and completing 12 guided speeches is no small accomplishment.

 

Especially for someone like me.

 

In sixth grade, I had to give a speech in class.

 

My hands were shaking so badly that I dropped my paper. Instead of picking it up and continuing, I bent down and pretended to tie my shoe—because who wanted to stand back up there? 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

I was so nervous to speak in public, so finishing those speeches meant a lot to me.

 

Except…

 

I forgot to celebrate that I did it.

 

I read in a book that celebrating our accomplishments is important. It teaches our brains and nervous systems that our hard work matters and I wasn't used to celbrating myself.

 

So I decide to force mysefl to do it.

 

I got out of my car, walked back toward the building with the papers I was carrying, threw them high into the air, and yelled as loud as I could.

 

Papers went everywhere.

 

I must have looked completely crazy.

 

But I wanted to wire into my nervous system that success is something worth celebrating.

 

Otherwise, why work so hard to achieve it?

 

Which brings me to today.

 

From the guy who doesn’t really like attention and would rather stay under the radar…

 

I’m again forcing myself to celebrate something that means a great deal to me by sharing it with you.

 

I completed an entire year of writing a blog every single week.

 

Books have changed my life ever since my twenties.

 

The first book I ever read from beginning to end was The Road Less Traveled.

 

I finished it in three days.

 

It moved me deeply.

 

For the first time, I felt more human, more alive, and more hopeful because of something I had read.

 

That one book sent me on a lifelong journey.

 

I went from waking up depressed, unfocused, and insecure to feeling inspired and full of purpose.

 

The ideas I was learning changed the way I thought, and that changed the way I lived.

 

I didn’t just want to share what I was learning—I wanted to become a living example of it.

Gratitude.

Love.

Purpose.

Compassion.

Growth.

 

Books became like nutritious food for my mind and soul.

 

Or like going to the gym.

 

Every book made me a little stronger, a little healthier, and a little more alive.

 

It amazed me that words on a page could have that kind of impact.

 

And someday, I wanted to give that gift back.

 

I’ve been writing a book for quite a while, and someone suggested that I start with a weekly blog instead.

I’d tried blogging before.

 

I just had never stayed consistent.

 

Until this year.

 

Now I’ve completed an entire year of weekly blogs, and I’m genuinely proud of myself.

 

The reason I’ve kept going is simple...

 

There is already plenty of negativity in the world.

 

There are endless ads trying to sell us something.

 

Social media constantly invites us to compare ourselves to everyone else.

 

There is confusion, misinformation, division, and noise everywhere.

 

So I thought…

 

Why not try to put something different into the world?

 

Something encouraging.

Something honest.

Something beautiful.

Stories about growth.

 

Thoughts that help people think more deeply.

 

Ideas about purpose, love, healing, and becoming more fully ourselves.

 

My hope has simply been to become part of the solution.

 

Because I believe the solution begins by taking responsibility for our own minds.

 

By choosing what we feed them.

 

By becoming the best version of ourselves—not to impress anyone else, but because that’s the kind of life worth living.

 

So thank you.

 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read these blogs.

 

If something I’ve written has encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you in any way, then every hour spent writing has been worth it.

 

I promise I’m going to keep growing.

 

I’ll keep learning.

 

I’ll keep sharing.

 

Whether it’s through blogs, videos, coaching, or someday through books, my hope is always the same:

 

To help people live with more love, more joy, more wisdom, more courage, and more purpose.

 

Here’s to another year.

 

I’m incredibly grateful…and yes, I’m celebrating this win.

 

Don’t forget to celebrate yours too.

 

Much love,

Bert

 

p.s. I was told by a few teachers and writers that I wasn't a good writer.  I share this because that's pretty normal in all of our lives.   If you have a dream do not give up!