Vulnerability

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of self-discovery and personal transformation” – Brené Brown 

Being vulnerable is not easy, especially when you’re in a leadership role. Especially when you’ve been silenced for years. And especially when you were raised to chin up and be brave. These moments of vulnerability defy all that. It can feel wrong and almost shameful. My instinct is to run, hide, and end the uncomfortableness as fast as possible. But this quote reminds me that this is my chance to discover more about myself and how I can use my fears to propel me forward.

What do you think about vulnerability?

My Favorite Moments

“There’s a kind of Ah-ha! Somebody at least for a moment feels about something or sees something the way that I do. It doesn’t happen all the time. It’s these brief flashes or flames, but I get that sometimes. I feel unalone—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. I feel human and unalone and that I’m in a deep, significant conversation with another consciousness in fiction and poetry in a way that I don’t with other art.” ― David Foster Wallace

Today’s quote is a long one. I just really like what he had to say about “ah-ha” moments. They are one of my favorite things. I’m sure most people enjoy them. It’s like the clouds clear in your mind and a million connections are made. It’s interesting, though, because I never thought of it as feeling unalone, but I can totally vibe with that. I feel like we all have those moments when we feel like we’re the only ones just not getting it. That can feel lonely, especially if no one has the patience to explain what you’re missing. But then we have those moments when we get it. It’s not always about being part of the crowd. Sometimes it draws you away from the crowd and toward the wise men and women of the past. Or even into your own space. No matter where it draws you, it’s from darkness into light.

They Will Let You Do Everything, Don’t

“You can do anything, but not everything” — David Allen

Find your place or places in this world. The hint here is that no one is going to stop you from doing everything. You have to stay in your lane and allow space for other people’s callings. It doesn’t matter what it is. Fighting for justice, advocating for the voiceless, finding your career, even running your home. Let people help where you lack. Let people show you ways to make it easier for yourself. I was a single mom for a short portion of my life, and I understand that feeling of having to handle it all and that feeling of impossibility. Do what you have to do to take care of you, and when someone you trust offers help, take it.

Point being, don’t let people make you feel small for finding a way to live that works for you. We all do this life thing differently. Don’t let people push you into being louder, more aggressive, or more manipulative to fight battles. Don’t let people force you into roles that you know don’t fit you.

You know you. If you don’t know you, learn you. Once you know where your lane is, thrive there. If it needs to expand, that. is. your. choice.

Know Yourself.

Obstacles

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles” — T.F. Hodge.

I think this is a good quote. I especially agree when your outcome is in alignment and it’s big enough to keep you going. However, I say that as a goal-oriented person. I like a clear goal. Sometimes I make too many and have to let a couple go, but generally I’m one to reach the finish line. Not everyone is driven that way.

How are you driven?

What do you think about this quote? Do you think being focused on the outcome helps conquer frustration?

Italo Calvino

“I am more and more convinced that literature is made up of works, genres, schools, discussions, problems, collective work in order to solve certain problems.” -Italo Calvino

I found this man. I love this story. You should see the smile that grew on my face as the story went on. Please enjoy, and if you feel as much as I do, please let me know. This is the type of writing where I just want the words teleported into my head immediately. It’s hard to wait, but wait I must if I want to hear the story. It makes me laugh.

Here’s a few words from the content creator. You can find a reading of the story below.

“Italo Calvino (October 15, 1923 – September 19, 1985) born in Cuba, raised in San Remo, Italy was an Italian journalist and writer of short stories and novels. His best known works include the Our Ancestors trilogy (1952-1959), the Cosmicomics collection of short stories (1965), and the novels Invisible Cities (1972) and If on a winter’s night a traveler (1979). I am partial to his sensual Under The Jaguar Sun a collection of three short stories. The stories were to have been in a book entitled I cinque sensi (The Five Senses). Calvino died before writing the stories dedicated to vision and touch. I have narrated the titular story set in Mexico where a man and his wife go to rejuvenate their marriage… it certainly got my juices flowing.”

A Better Direction

“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn’t measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It’s not winning battles that makes you happy, but it’s how many times you turned away and chose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most, most important ones, let the rest go.”

So today, I had strawberry shortcake, and it reminded me of my grandmother. Instead of the traditional biscuit, it was pound cake. I prefer it with pound cake.

I’ve been to the beach twice this September. Both times brought me so much peace. I need a beach blanket in my trunk.

I have spent all summer stopping to watch the bees and looking for the ones who are napping. I haven’t found a napping one yet.

I am beginning to fall in love with my novel again. That always feels nice. It’s an on and off relationship. Lol

And I still love writing and all the complexities that come with it. I may be an over-thinker, but I’m learning how deeply psychological fiction writing really is.

Those are my little tidbits for the day.

How about you?

Powerful Beyond Measure

We are becoming more stable more aware and more in touch with ourselves as women, and I’m loving every moment of it!

You sometimes it feels like the world will really do all it can to make women think they have less power than we really do. Empowering women to step into their power is no easy task. I still make shrink. I still think of myself as small and voiceless at times. There are moments when I still want to climb into safe arms and be coddled. But I pull myself together. I work on that inner dialogue and reframe what I feel I need.

There’s so many great reasons for you to empower yourself, but the best reason is that you get to live in the now. You get to fulfill yourself without having to rely on anyone else. Validation? Unnecessary. You know why? Because you validate yourself. Once you master that, you get to love and accept all those little parts of yourself that you ignore. Ignoring parts of yourself leads to unhealthy habits, but when we bring awareness to ourselves, we get the opportunity to bring acceptance.

What’s your favorite part about yourself? Which part could use some extra love?

So Absolutely Free

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” -Albert Camus

I’m interested in Mr. Camus. I don’t know his works yet, which is strange because he is often grouped with existential writers. And I tend to appreciate existential ideas.

Anyways, this week I’ve relished my freedom. My freedom to find my own peace. My freedom to find calm in chaos and beauty in the ordinary. And especially, my freedom to do not a damn thing while I soaked in the bath and then slathered on 5 different scented lotions just because it was the sensory experience I desired. Believe it or not, two years ago I wouldn’t let myself do that because it was a waste. Today, I did it, and it was exactly what I needed.

Write Your Story

“If you want to change the world, write your story. If you want to heal the world, share it.” – Unknown

And that’s exactly what I do. Life can make you feel helpless. It can make you feel like browbeating is your only option. But the truth is the arts are always and will always be the best option. Sing, write, draw through what you can’t control. I can’t promise that you’ll change the world, but once you come out the other end, you will not be the same person. And that is enough.