if ive learned one thing this past year, it's that you're as strong as the people around you. it's almost overwhelming how blessed I feel for getting to know, grow from, and receive support from extraordinary people. and by people, I mean you. ive learned everyone is extraordinary, beyond measure, in some particular and unique way. this underscores the important of two things--one, always have the humility to look. and two, never lose sight of how most anything you've accomplished was built on the strong shoulders of everyone who took an interest in or supported you. I almost feel guilt when someone thoughtfully says 'im proud of you', because in fact what they mean is--im proud of collective sum of individuals that assembled you. and that's you. so going into 35, all I can say is, thank you. for believing in me, for supporting me, for sharing your grace and insight and most importantly your trust. ive never been the 'hardest worker' in my earlier years, and for a while wasn't sure where this newfound drive came from. but I learned not long ago what that was--it's when you no longer are grinding in life for yourself, but for the people you represent who have invested their time or their thoughts in you. for the aggregate. for YOUR aggregate. let's geaux. #grateful for #anotheryear