As it turns out, there was something that went wrong with the WordPress blog being able to recognize the database on my host, Bluehost.  Since I don’t host the blog on WordPress, they basically say there isn’t much they can do to help.  However, my host, Bluehost, stepped up today and dove into it and figured out the issue and was able to resolve it and restore the link to the database and now we are back – thanks.  Bluehost has been awesome for me so if anyone is looking for a hosting company, you should definitely check them out as they have great technical support and great products as well.  

Glad to be back, now we can get back to putting some posts back online.  Again, my apologies to you my readers.  Thank you.

Blaine

Blaine Millet

Customer Experiences Inc.

I have been reading a number of blogs over the past several weeks and I have to admit, I am very disappointed.  The majority are focusing on the last several months when the “R” word entered everybody’s vocabulary.  What happened to the first half of the year when life was moving along quite well?  Did we all of a sudden forget about all the great things that happened then?

I would like everyone to think about the “entire year” when they look back at 2008 and realize that there were some great things that happened (or didn’t happen).  It is called “a year” because it is filled with 12 months, not 6 months.  

I am really looking forward to 2009 myself.  Yes, like most people, I was impacted by the economic news as well as grieving the loss of my mother.  However, the new year signals great times ahead and I am very encouraged that this will be a fantastic year.  I have also launched some new products as part of the Social Media (Customer Experience 2.0) platform that have gotten some rave reviews already so I am encouraged from multiple fronts.

But the basics are still there – health and family.  Above all, at the end of the day, these are things that really matter in one’s life.  I know it is over stated, but I am so thankful for both of these that everything else pares by comparison.  I just hope each of you takes stock in what happened throughout all fo 2008 and what you have as  you go into 2009 and take the time to celebrate the good things instead of dwell on the negative.

I hope all of my readers have the most wonderful and best year ever in 2009.  If you agree with me and you are excited about what you bring into 2009, let me know.  I love to share good news with others!  For now, have a great (and safe) New Year.

Cheers,

Blaine

Blaine Millet

Customer Experiences Inc.

Two weeks ago my mother passed away.  While it wasn’t totally unexpected, I don’t know that it is ever “expected.”  She lived a very long life and actually was in pretty good health until the last couple of months.  The reason I am telling everyone this is not to be morbid but to be celebratory.  Yes, it is times like these that we should be celebrating life, not mourning it.  Let me explain…

My mom had a life that was full of everything we all have in our lives – ups and downs.  Some things worked out and some things didn’t – just like everyone else’s life.  However, she lived to a ripe old age of 90 (I was the youngest which is why I am still in my 30′s today).  How can anyone complain that lives that long – a chance to celbrate for sure.  She didn’t get cancer or alzheimers – another reason to celebrate.  Her children were all there during her last few days to say our goodbye’s and tell her how much she meant to us – another big reason to celebrate.  And she left a living legacy in all of us that will be passed along for generations to come – definitely a reason to celebrate.

I loved my mother and for these and many more reasons, I celebrate her.  I hope all of you get a chance to celebrate your parents, spouses, children, friends and anyone else that you are close to this holiday season and every day in the future.  Life doesn’t hand out anything certain, but it gives you a chance to celebrate every day and every moment you have with your loved ones – because it can be gone in an instance.  So don’t fret and frump and mourn everything going on today – celebrate it.  For in the end, all the toys, savings accounts, stocks and myriad of other tangible things won’t mean anything.  What will be valuable are all the “celebrations” you had with everyone in your life – that is worth remembering and CELEBRATING!!

Thank you all for your wonderful messages and thoughts with regard to my mother passing away – they were much appreciated more than you think.  And my gift back to you is to remember to celebrate every moment, like RIGHT NOW, with all those that mean so much to you.  Have an awesome day, week, month, year and life!

Blaine

Blaine Millet

Customer Experiences Inc.