This was the notifications I received from WordPress three days ago after I unknowingly published my 500th post on my blog, Where There’s Joy. 500 slices of my life, documented, to remember and share. How could that be? I thought to myself, not one to think much about how many pieces I’ve written since I jumped into the Slice of Life Challenge six years ago. I guess 500 slices comes from six and a half March Challenges and nearly every Tuesday since 2017. Back then, on February 28, 2017, I wasn’t sure what I was even signing up for. Little did I know what that challenge and this community would bring me.
Writing brings me closer to people I know in real life and some I’ve never met before.
Writing brings me calm when I feel out of control.
Writing brings an awareness of the world, a wide awake way of living, waiting for stories to find me.
Writing brings me understanding of what it means to be a writer and a comfort in sharing tips and strategies with other writers.
Writing brings a sense of power and action. With my words, I know I can make change.
Writing brings me peace, as the process has become an act of self care.
Writing brings me struggle and triumph, tears and joy.
Writing brings me pride and gratitude for others, the space to reflect and grow.
This collection of 500 slices is my story, moments big and small.
I am beyond grateful for the Two Writing Teachers team for the regular invitation to write and share-a gift for sure.
Where There Is Joy 
Congratulations! Admiration for how your writing growth as brought along your whole community and your family.
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Happy 500! What an accomplishment! I love your list of what writing brings you – so much here.
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I love this so much because it speaks a truth about the practice of writing (publicly) that I think I knew, but hadn’t articulated in quite a succinct and powerful way. I said to someone the other day that writing was my superpower and these are just some of the reasons why. Thank you & congratulations!!
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I like the one about self care, since what I’m thinking as I ponder 500 entries is the idea that you have saved 500 pieces of your life forever. That’s a real gift that you’ve given to yourself. Of course, you’ve also given it to your kids…and beyond.
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Congratulations! A collection you will look back on forever! This piece made me think of a letter you wrote to a restaurant when we were in the reading room. I won’t say which one, but do you remember? I can’t drive by it without thinking of you.
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No! I don’t remember…did it start with a Q?!?
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Yes! You were so frustrated with them.
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That was my thirtieth bday. Good memory! They were so rude.
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Congratulations!! That’s A LOT of writing, stories captured! I like the one about pride and gratitude for others, the space to grow and reflect. I think appreciating others is one ingredient to making us better people!
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Felicitations! Writing 500 Slices is a milestone. Thank you for sharing what you have learned along the way.
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Hats off to you on reaching this impressive milestone! It is always a pleasure to read your slices and catch elements of your life in progress. Long may it continue.
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Congrats on this milestone! And thanks for including me in this wonderful world!
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Wow congratulations on your achievement. I love all the emotions you say writing brings you and agree wholeheartedly.
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