2010 was a year of change for me, and a year of growth.EMSin the New Decade wasn’t my first attempt at blogging, but it’s the first time I’ve actually stuck with it.I was able to find my voice, and thanks to some help from some great people, I was able to get my voice out there to a much larger portion of our community.
It all started with blogging for me, and after my experiences with some of the great friends I have made through the Social Media Community, that love of blogging expanded to Podcasting, which has become quite the addiction for me.What it all comes down to is if it wasn’t for people like RJ Stine, Kyle David Bates, Chris Montera, Natalie Quebodeaux and the whole Generation Medicine team, no one would have heard me.
I created a simple pin, a symbol that has become a frequently displayed image on the internet, and has become associated with a great cause: EMS 2.0 and Chronicles of EMS.Thanks to Justin, Ted, and Mark for letting me play a little role as part of their team!
Above everything else though, I’ve made some terrific friends.I could take up pages and pages naming them here.Through Tweets, text messages, Skype calls and blog comments, I’ve shared some great times and great moments with some incredible people.It’s an honor to know each and every one of you and I can’t wait to see what this year has to offer us.
I have realized though that as 2011 opens, I still have a long way to go.While I have found my “voice” I am still growing comfortable with it.Very few people that I work with know about this blog.Slowly, I’ve become more comfortable with sharing it with some people, but that hasn’t been easy for me.I want more people to read it, but I also want more people to understand it, and learn from what I have said here, and the messages I plan on sharing in the future.
While I was at EMS Expo in Dallas, I was sitting at the bar in the Sheraton with Steve Whitehead sharing a beer, while we waited for the rest of the group to show up.While we were talking, he asked me one simple, thought provoking question: “What do you bring to the community?What do you have to offer it?”Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is my contribution.These words on this little corner of the Internet that you are looking at as we speak.I might not always craft my words the way I want to, and I admit I tend to wander a bit sometimes, but I’m pretty happy with what I’ve put out there for you.
I hope you all enjoyed reading what I’ve had to say in 2010 as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.For 2011, I’ve decided to keep this blog going strong.My goal is to have at least two posts per week, and let’s face it, there’s plenty of material out there to write about.
Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome to 2011.
Scott – I would hope to count you among the social media friends in 2010! Your thoughts on 2011 and your blog hit home for me; after five years of blogging/podcasting Mitigation Journal has nearly as many listeners/readers outside the U.S. as inside. Far more listeners from the West Coast than here in Rochester, NY…my hometown.
We all have a long way to go, you are not alone. The social media bond continues to expand and I'll look forward to following with you in 2011!
Stay safe.
Rick http://www.mitigationjournal.org