A MILLION VIEWS
I’ve been watching my YouTube channel lately because I’ve been getting awfully close to 1,000,000 total views. I thought it would happen some time in November or December, and I was planning a blog post to offer free downloads on the day I actually reached a million. But last week (October 19th), I checked to see the progress, and OOPS!
I’ll still figure out a way to offer the free downloads, but for now, I’ve been thinking about this:
I realize that a million views on YouTube is unremarkable, because of course, there are lots of videos with well over 100 million views. Like the baby panda who sneezed. Once. (219 million views) And a little boy who told his mom he only likes her when she gives him cookies. (112 million views) And a demonstration on how to make Play-Doh cupcakes. (633,150,093 views) Yup, you read that number right.
So okay, my measly little 1,000,000 views is nothing to get excited about. But it’s still about 999,990 views more than I ever thought I’d get. In fact, when I put my first video on YouTube, I had very small expectations. I sent the link to 7 people, and my only hope was that at least they'd watch it. I never expected them to share it. But they did, and there's nobody more surprised about it than me.
I’ve been throwing around a lot of numbers, but the truth is, it’s not really about the numbers. Whether it’s 7 views or 633 million views, here’s the point I’m trying to make:
This is the first time in the whole history of the world that an ordinary person like me can have an audience. You used to have to be a movie star, a world-class athlete, or a very successful politician to have an audience. (Or a really terrible one.)
But now, if you have something to say, there’s a way to say it. The Internet will provide you with an audience -- maybe a large one -- even if you’re just a stay-at-home mom who never had a career, held an office, won an award, performed on a big stage or spoke to large crowds.
Chances are, if you’re reading my blog, you’re a fellow Christian. And chances are, if you’re like me, you do a little bit of hand-wringing when you look around and see the new culture of irreligion and moral relativism, and you feel like there’s not much you can do about it.
But this is something you can do: You can get out there and say something positive. You can share the truth. You can speak up for what’s good and wholesome in the world.
Don't worry that you don't have anything to say. Believers in Jesus Christ have the most important message in all the world. It can be simple -- just a Facebook post or an Instagram. Or a thoughtful comment on other good posts or articles you read. Or a simple statement of faith.
If it's encouraging or uplifting to even one person, it will be worth it. And hey -- you never know what might happen.
I'd love to hear what you've done to #sharegoodness on the Internet.
Shawna
P.S. Watch for my upcoming articles on simplifying Christmas. 'Tis (almost) the season. And yes, I'm still working on getting the new songs out -- we've had some delays, but they're still coming!
If you cannot speak, at least be an example!
Do you sell the songs you have written on a CD instead of download for MP3 players? If so, how can I purchase some CDs? What is the cost of it? Do you have a DVD format for the videos that go with your songs, or are they only accessible through youtube? If so, same…how to purchase and cost? Thanks! I have just now discovered your music through a friend of mine, and I LOVE it! You are so talented and inspirational! Thanks again! :)
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