31 Days of Gratitude - In an attempt to publicly express my gratitude for the people that have impacted me in some way in 2015, I'm setting out to write one post a day sharing what I appreciate about them or what moment that marked me. Some of these people I know well, some I've only met, and some I'm just getting to know. There is no ranking to these posts and they aren't meant to put anyone on a pedestal. They, like you and I, are imperfect people with their own flaws, some you may have experienced. Despite those flaws, I believe we all need to have our positive characteristics called into light and celebrated. This is that attempt.
Mark Miller has blessed me tremendously over the past year and a half as we've gotten to know each other and as he's chosen to get behind the efforts at Team NeighborLink. I would say that his influence and commitment to building a healthy and fun cycling community has been one of the biggest reasons we've had such success in the past year at Team NL. Mark is a natural leader and influencer. Mark is the kind of guy that is committed to his goals and invites people to join him, and communities need guys like Mark, which is why I'm so grateful for him this year.
I've talked before about not really being much of an athlete and I'm definitely not competitive in traditional ways. Winning doesn't drive me, but having a great experience while getting better does. Mark is driven far more by competition than me and knows how to be successful, but he's learned from years of competing that there has to be more to it if you're going to stay engaged and want to do. So, these days he's as competitive as ever but not at the expense of making sure it's still fun to do and that it includes others. That spirit resonates with Team NL, his friend circle, and a lot of our athletes, which is why I'm grateful for his leadership within the Team.
I'm grateful for Mark's generous spirit when it comes to including others, sharing his wealth of knowledge in cycling and beyond, and his willingness to represent a cause that really has nothing to do with cycling, but does have everything about loving others well. Something I see him do a lot of. He's a mentor to many, whether he calls it that or not. Mark has married an equally engaging and welcoming wife, Laura, who I see do the same thing.
Mark, thanks for your continued support this year. It's meant a lot to me and I've appreciated your energy and desire to get others involved at NL. I look forward to 2016 and many more adventures together. I really want to do more 1-day trips regionally with the crew.