A Times For Thanks And Blessings
By: Michael Patanella
Tags: India, Life, Life Lessons, Reading, Writing

A Times For Thanks And Blessings

A Thoughts And Ideas Newsletter

The pandemic seems to rage on here where I am from in New Jersey, USA. And this isn’t the only place where it’s happening. The election chaos has come and passed, however there is still plenty of drama going on in the political world.

Thankfully, I have my writing, and editing, and my commitment to my publishing community. I am quite pleased that it keeps me rather busy. It continues to be a wonderful gift, because it distracts me from the stress of the world, and it helps countless others, whether it is someone looking for something good to read, or helping an up and coming writer get their words out to the world in and out of Medium.

This continues to be a good path for me, especially my involvement with this Thoughts and Ideas publication. We have had a very busy month here, and we are quite close to reaching 23,000 followers/readers. The number of contributors and writers is over 300 right now, and it seems like everyone loves Thoughts and Ideas for different reasons. The more reasons, the merrier I believe.

I receive emails almost everyday from writers requesting to be added to this publication. It remains constant, and consistent.

While it’s originally, an India based publication, it has long since opened its arms to the entire world. The Indian community has played a great role, in making this publication global in its outreach. People from every continent want to be a part of this, and I continue to enjoy embracing professional relationships from one of the most diverse followings that there can be.

Recently articles about the celebration of Diwali, have been submitted to me for consideration and publication, and it ended up being a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about that incredible holiday and joyous celebration. After publishing those pieces, I immediately found myself doing my own research of the holiday. It was a great learning experience for me, and I believe it was also vital for me to learn about such a huge holiday that touches so many thousands of my readers.

I am always glad to see that happiness and celebration can still exist and prevail even when a global pandemic still presents itself in many places around the world. It is a shining example that we can still find blessings and love, if we look further in life, than just in the negative and the pain.

I am quite thankful to have all of you, because this publication is one that prospers and succeeds only when we can all work together as a publishing family. Most of the readers and writers for Thoughts and Ideas speak so happily about being able to be part of what we have here. When I read the messages from all of you telling me how blessed you feel to be part of this, it makes me feel fulfilled, as I cannot feel my true sense of success as a Publisher and Editor, if I can’t be among the very best readers and writers here on Medium.

Until next time, I bid you all peace and prosperity.

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.