Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

May 14, 2007

When Saying “Thank You” Can Never Be Enough

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:56 am

I've been thinking . . .

It was always a problem, from the time I was wee one called “Bashful.” How do I express sincere gratitude when the words, the simple words that are available have been over used and pounded in to submission? How can I just say them, when I need their tired forms to carry the deepest meaning, yet they sound just the same as when they are tossed out frivolously by anyone with a vocabulary?

They say actions speak louder than words, but . . . sometimes words are necessary. The right words are an action in and of themselves. They take time to be chosen and arranged to convey the thought.

Here is the thought:
We, everyone of us — those who went, those who held their breath in anticipation whether they were going to attend SOBcon or not. — We all made it happen. It was a product built from our faith in each other and a focus on hard work –the details that the committee — Chris, and Lisa, Terry, and Mike worked on daily. It’s the serious work that the speakers put into the content and the passion with which they collected and delivered it with joy and generosity. It is the open hearted joy of those who could attend and the quiet support those who could not –all standing by ever ready to help. Always ready to offer their faith and passion for the event.

This was so not the worde of one — simple words cannot expand to describe or express my deep, deep gratitude for every voice, every thought, every good feeling that was a part.

So I am left with a heartfelt “Thank, you, you have changed my life.”

Liz's Signature




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44 Comments to “When Saying “Thank You” Can Never Be Enough”

  1. May 14th, 2007 at 10:54 am
    Tammy said

    Liz, since arriving home late Saturday night, I’ve been pondering how to thank you. As you also found, the tried and true phrases seemed overused and insufficient. This is where I finally landed:

    There are people who, simply by connecting with them and being in the same space as them, amplify your life. You’re one of them Liz, and my gratitude knows no bounds.

    Tammy

  2. May 14th, 2007 at 11:20 am
    ME Strauss said

    Tammy,
    I only wish I had had more time to spend with people — especially you. I want to sit across a table from you to just chat about things and life. :)

  3. May 14th, 2007 at 11:31 am
    Terry Starbucker said

    Just one word Liz on the changed life part - “ditto”. I have been enriched beyond my wildest dreams. I have an awfully big family now. Long may it propser!

    My absoute very best to you, my dear. :-)

  4. May 14th, 2007 at 11:36 am
    Kent Blumberg said

    It turbocharged me!

  5. May 14th, 2007 at 11:38 am
    ME Strauss said

    Terry,
    You are one of the best gifts. I can’t wait to start thinking up reasons to call you on the phone again. :)

  6. May 14th, 2007 at 11:41 am
    Tammy said

    Liz, I think it was kind of like a big wedding…lots of love, but not enough time to visit. There’ll be other chances for us all, though.

  7. May 14th, 2007 at 11:56 am
    Mark Goodyear said

    Turbocharged is a good word, Kent. I’m also reeling a bit. But man is it exciting. I reported to my bosses informally this morning, but their eyes got wide when I started listing off the specific details of what I learned. It was more than just my excitement. I came away with a list of measurable action steps. (Look for them on my blog soon.)

  8. May 14th, 2007 at 11:59 am
    Honor Your Mothers | Goodword Editing said

    [...] late as usual. Yesterday morning I woke up in Chicago for the last day of SOBcon07. Totally awesome, but I’ll post more on that soon. For now, here’s a mom’s day [...]

  9. May 14th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
    Kammie K. said

    Liz~

    I hear you lady…the words thank you don’t even come close to conveying the gratitude I feel for you rounding up all of the amazing people at SOB Con…I’m still chewing on so much of it…but I think what I loved best was the DEEPENING of the dialogue and the relationships.

    How cool that you were the catalyst in creating this dynamic event of some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met!

    Mucho luvo,
    Kam

  10. May 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
    Timothy Johnson said

    Liz, you and your co-coordinators are all beautiful people who make magic happen. It was an incredible weekend. I’m still coming down from the “high”

  11. May 14th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
    Sean said

    Thank you Liz for this wonderful eye opening event.

    I look forward to next year’s SOBCon 2008.

    Big hugs and thank you again.

  12. May 14th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
    Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D. said

    I second that Sean… I can’t wait to SOBCon08. I am sad that I missed this event! I was thinking about all of you over the weekend and sending virtual hugs. :) From the pictures and posts I have seen, it looks like SOBCon07 rocked!

  13. May 14th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
    Chris Brown said

    Liz:
    What a pleasure it was to get to know you in person during the SOBCon ‘07!! Thanks so much for what have been a tremendous amount of planning. From the wonderful concert and warm interactive session Friday night, to the incredible sessions all day Saturday this was one of the best planned and well run events I’ve been to in a LONG time. Thanks!!
    Chris

    PS I’m ready to sign up for ‘08 already.

  14. May 14th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
    Easton Ellsworth said

    So glad I went. I went for the people - the hugs - and of course also to pick these incredible minds. I got my fill of the latter and was left wanting lots more of the former. But thank you, thank you for putting this event on and I am so glad you did, Liz et al. Till next year if not sooner! :)

  15. May 14th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
    ann michael said

    It is so incredibly neat to read these comments and know the people from SOBCon that are writing them!!! Easton, Mark, Terry, Tim, Tammi, Kammie, Kent and Sean - wow. I know who you all are now. Just that connection is enough to take it to the next level.

    Liz - you are the most heartfelt, genuine, and pure relationship builder I’ve ever met - it’s because you aren’t building anything - you’re just being what you are naturally - blooming where you were planted!!!! And my - you are the loveliest flower!!!

    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!

    Ann

    PS - you are to relationships what Phil is to hugging - the master, the proliferator, and completely unstoppable (not that anyone would want to stop either of you)

  16. May 14th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
    Sunday Reading - 13 May 2007 said

    [...] When Saying “Thank You” Can Never Be Enough Liz Strauss lets all who planned, worked, and participated in SOBCon, see in words some of what is [...]

  17. May 14th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
    Chris Cree said

    SOBCon had to be the huggiest business conference I’ve ever attended. It is amazing we got so much business done with all the love in the room!

  18. May 14th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
    Timothy Johnson said

    Chris - maybe the reason why we accomplished so much business was BECAUSE there was so much love in the room. Imagine if all business worked that way… think what could get done.

  19. May 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
    Chris Cree said

    No arguement from me, Tim. Even though I was in on this from the very beginning, the weekend was far different (and far better) than even I expected.

    And I think that is proof of the incredibly high caliber folks that attended the event. If y’all weren’t so wonderful, the whole thing would have flopped. :)

  20. May 14th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
    ME Strauss said

    YEA! Everybody,
    I can’t even spell my own own name. Doing my best to get rid os this infection. :)

    You are the best to a person.

    Me. I am melting . . . melting. . . melting. .

  21. May 14th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
    Connie Reece said

    Lady Liz, what can I say? This is one time that dreadfully abused and overused word “awesome” is appropriate. At times this weekend, I really did feel a hushed sense of awe in the room. What a powerful connection we had!

    My only disappointment is that I did not get to meet every one who came. Still, it was one of the most remarkable events I’ve ever attended. Vernon Lun had a good post that explained one of the key differences: it was not a blogging conference; it was a blogger conference.

    Merci mille fois (a thousand thanks — thought it might sound more profound in French) :-)

  22. May 14th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
    David Dalka said

    Thank you for putting on a highly unique event for people. I’m pleased that I was able to contribute in small ways to improve interactivity and let the world know about it!

  23. May 14th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
    C.B. Whittemore said

    Liz, congratulations on an awesome event! I was there in spirit, and regretted not being there in person. But, very much look forward to next year!

  24. May 14th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
    GP said

    Liz.. sounds most incredible… I hope you’re not “liquidated” from melting melting :)

    Missed hugs, missed faces, missed minds… wish I could’ve been the proverbial “fly on the wall”…. Maybe 2008 in big sky country ?:)

    GP in Montana

  25. May 14th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
    ME Strauss said

    David,
    Thanks for all you did. You were a big help and a bonus to the audience. :)

  26. May 14th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
    doris chua said

    Hey Liz.. just like to say ‘congratulations’ and well done! Hope you are feeling better :)

  27. May 14th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Connie!
    You are awesome! You brought such great energy to the conference and such heart. I was so grateful for the change to share the spece with you. I feel like a lucky girl to have gotten to look you in the eyes.

  28. May 14th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey GP,
    Not missed . . . Plenty to go around. :)

  29. May 15th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
    Vernon Lun said

    Let a thousand flowers bloom. Man, did we bloom! If sobcon was the stone, the ripples are still widening as we speak. This is just the beginning of something special. If I had to describe the whole experience in one word, it would be… breathless!

  30. May 15th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
    SOBCon07…Sharing Our Best Conference 2007 - Dawud Miracle @ dmiracle.com - (formerly Healthy WebDesign) said

    [...] Liz had been telling me (that’s she and I on the right) for weeks that SOBCon07 (link to pictures) was going to be a different kind of conference. How? She kept telling me that we were going to take the comment box to the conference room. [...]

  31. May 16th, 2007 at 5:36 am
    David Airey :: Creative Design :: said

    Hi Liz,

    I’m so glad it was a great success for you and the other attendees.

    I’ve been enjoying the write-ups that are now circulating.

    Bye for now,

    David

  32. May 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    Hey Liz.

    I’m still integrating all the changes that happened for me at SOBCon. I’m a bit ungrounded it seems. Having trouble writing. Well, no so much writing as getting my thoughts together.

    I absolutely loved meeting EVERYONE….and you. You because of our friendship and how it began in the comment box, moved to email, established by phone and consecrated on Friday night with a hug.

    You are…

    Thank you for your friendship.

  33. May 16th, 2007 at 10:22 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    Mark & Kent…I’m with you. I feel invigorated by the weekend. I know I’m touching people with my personal publishing, but it all came real when I got to me people. Now I certainly feel turbocharged to keep it going.

    Kammie…and now we’re blogging buddies.

    Sean…you rox!

    Kirsten…I look forward to meeting you next year.

    Chris, Easton, Ann, Timothy…so great to meet all of you. I’m so moved by the growing friendships.

    Chris Cree…if only we lived closer.

    Connie, David…You’re both such beautiful people.

    Vernon…breathless is a great word. That’s actually the way I feel as I get back to my blog. I know that great change happened because I’m on a bit of unstable ground. Feels great.

    EVERYBODY…I TRULY LOVE YOUR HEARTS.

  34. May 16th, 2007 at 10:24 am
    ME Strauss said

    Dawud,
    It’s no surprise that you couldn’t find a minute alone. :)

  35. May 16th, 2007 at 10:38 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    I’m not complaining…I loved meeting everyone I could. And, like me, I would also have loved to sit down with one or two people and dive deep for hours.

  36. May 16th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
    ME Strauss said

    In know, Dawud, me too. And you would have been one of my first choices!

  37. May 17th, 2007 at 5:41 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    My friend, I know we’ve only dipped below the surface of the ocean with each other. Boy would it be nice to have the space to dive for pearls.

  38. May 17th, 2007 at 5:43 am
    ME Strauss said

    Yes sir,
    The conversation has only started. Time will allow for plenty of that. I’m certain. Yep of that I am certain. :)

  39. May 17th, 2007 at 11:45 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    From your lips to God’s ear.

  40. May 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Dawud,
    You know God’s listening. Things like this don’t happen without all sorts of help. :)

  41. May 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Dawud,
    You know God’s listening. Things like this don’t happen without all sorts of help. :)

  42. May 18th, 2007 at 10:34 am
    Dawud Miracle said

    I do know. And I’ll continue to do my small part in asking for help and guidance.

  43. December 22nd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
    SOBCon07 Recap: This Was Your Show…… : TerryStarbucker.com said

    [...] this experience, or supported us even though they couldn’t come, and especially Chris, Lisa, Liz, Mike, and Phil, is to repeat the re-written words of Bernie Taupin that I presented (in tune, I [...]

  44. March 17th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
    SOBCon 2007 Remembered and Why SOBCon 08 Will Be Even Better said

    [...] Liz Strauss and many others - You’ve just gotta read the post and [...]

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