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you wanna piece of me?
© Andrea ScherI took my summer blog sabbatical for two reasons:
1. I needed unplugged, restorative time.
2. I needed to get clear about my intentions for this blog.
The unplugged time was wonderful. The "seeking blog clarity" piece was a real struggle. Here's why.
In mid-July, a woman called to tell me that her Fortune 500 company was considering asking me to do the keynote presentation at their annual meeting. They heard about my work with a group of CEOs and they were interested in learning more about authenticity and vulnerability.
She went on to explain that she wanted to send her boss to my website but she was worried because my last post was about a yodeling pickle (rather than an essay on the challenges of talent development or leadership).
This conversation fueled my anxiety about my blog (and to some degree, my life).
As many of you know, I like things neat and organized. Little compartments of clarity. With bows on top. However . . . post 2007 breakdown spiritual awakening, I'm learning how to lean into the mess and complexity. I'm learning that sometimes compartmentalizing and organizing is about my discomfort with vulnerability. These are hard lessons in a world that likes everything and everyone filed, or at least file-able.
Rather than confuse readers by jumping from plastic pickles to politics and profit, I thought I might come back from my summer break and blog five times per week. My idea was to assign a topic to each day. Monday = family. Tuesday = work/leadership. Wednesday = slight depression because I don't feel like blogging on my assigned topic. You get the point.
The truth is that I enjoy talking to CEOs about authentic leadership and I like writing about my yodeling pickle.
I want to write about the bittersweet experience of sending Ellen off to middle school and I want to tell you about my new research on parenting and organizational culture.
My Me-Ma was a product evangelist and it turns out that I also have that gene. I want to tell you about the cool stuff that I love and I also want to write about movements that are making the world a better place.
Folk art, science, good quotes, black bean soup, corporate accountability, fonts, giveaways, books, photography, SuperTarget, contemplative spirituality, greeting cards, qualitative research, clogs, compelling data, Mexican food, creativity, disruptive innovation, Boden, social media, family dinners, and goggles that don't leave rings around my eyes. These are a few of my favorite things.
So, here's what I've decided . . .
Diana (the 2007 therapist) had me adopt the mantra "Stop alternating and start integrating." I'm sticking to it. (For more on this idea, read this post).
I'm going to blog a few times per week.
I'm going to blog about my life and my work (in no specific order).
I'm going to write about what moves me (when it moves me).
You can expect more podcasts, Inspiration Interviews and more Wholehearted ART.
I'm going to do to more TGIF giveaways (because I LOVE those) and more photography.
Most importantly . . .
I love your comments and your contributions. I believe we are a community of complex, creative folks who try to live and love with our whole hearts, work to change a small piece of our world, and break into a good yodel when need be. We love ordinary moments and practicing courage. Most of us have too many roles to count and that makes us human and tired, but we are also strong. Despite the uncertainty, we try our best to lean into that vulnerability.
I'm glad to be back. All of me.
I'd love to read about your favorite things. Writing that crazy list was pretty fun. Try it!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Reader Comments (73)
i'm already off task at the moment, so i won't sit to write a list of my favorite things. but know that like you, there are many scattered & full ones. love it. rock on.
And I love, love, love that quote from Diana!! I wrote it down for myself as well! Thanks!
Glad you're back, Brene!
I'm really glad to connect w/ you Brene. I wrote a post today on vulnerability and quoted you. I think the title was something like, "Why Walk Through Fire When You Can Be Vulnerable Instead" You can reach it through the link above.
I'm looking forward to the mix of you that you decide to share.
in the spirit of community, and all that goes w/ that!
Judy
Also, I can't wait to learn about your parenting and organizational culture research. Right up my alley!
I'm just starting to read 'Ithought it was just me ...' two chapters in and I'm already feeling that steps I'm making toward a more authentic representation of myself will bring deeper rewards than the struggle to supress her.
Many thanks for all you offer, Brene.
I agree that you should write about what you love, what you feel, who you are... isn't that what all writers are told to do, write about what you know and feel inside. You are a mother, an artist, a teacher, a leader... you are who and what you are and that is something to be proud of! Focus on that and know that when you are doing what you know in your heart is true to your self, then it doesn't matter if someone else doesn't think yodeling pickles are applicable to them or not. It means something to you, and it will reach others that need to hear it as well.
Besides, God has obviously blessed you with many gifts girl! Use them and focus on making decisions not based on what others want of you, but on what your heart leads you to. Welcome back to your blog, think of it as a creative outlet, not an assignment!!
I am blessed to have recently discovered you and blessed to be in a place to receive your pieces with gratitude.
cathi
I love reading about the real you and your family and your likes...I also enjoy your insight on politics and sharing your work. I'm glad you have decided not to change that part of your blog. Also...can't wait to read your weekly entries. You just keep being Brene! Next time if someone wants a piece of ya...you just tell them they can't have a piece of ya...Take it all or take nothin' :)
it also reminded me that i wanted to take my kids to archie mcphee this summer because we've never been( (i live near seattle).
my heart sank when i read...
"She went on to explain that she wanted to send her boss to my website but she was worried because my last post was about a yodeling pickle"
i love 'all of you'.
xo & belief in you,
Carmen
i enjoy your blog and i cannot wait for your new book. it is on pre-order from chapters.
kelly
Thank you for sharing so much with us!
Missy
Second, a mix of you is exactly what I would like! The "grown-up" posts are you just as the yodeling pickle!
Third - my first cup of coffee in the morning, my daughter's laughs and hugs, books, used bookstores, Native American music, Italian food, chocolate, seeing my veggies grow, watching the birds in my garden, listening to my daughter talk to her friends, getting paint on my fingers, the full moon, sunrises, early morning walks, Trader Joe's, massaging my daughter's legs after cross country.
I myself have taken a sabbatical from my blog. My beloved golden retriever Selka who is my companion, my beloved friend, my soul dog and a much higher evolved spirit than myself, has terminal bone cancer in his shoulder. We are giving him various types of treatments for pain but we do not know how much time he has. I will not allow him to suffer or endure a poor quality of life. He still smiles, wags his tail, rolls in the grass and loves to eat.
He is my roll model for living in the moment. I am treasuring every moment I have with him but it is extremely painful also. I am allowing myself time every day to cry. In the car, the shower just away from Selka. It is definitely one of those times in life we have to find the strength to get through but so wish we didn't have to. Sometimes life sucks but I wouldn't trade my 11 years with him for anything.
Keep on yodeling...the best is yet to come!
I also took the summer off from my Blog trying to figure out what I wanted it to be. Mostly its a show and tell place for me, but like you I have decided to make it all about my life, my work, my family, my animals, inspirations, teaching moments and whatever else happens. In this Multi Medium world we live in we can get so caught up in what others think & say or even tell us who we are supposed to be, so much so, that can drown out what WE think & believe in who we are.
Glad you are staying true to yourself and that you will share it with us! I look forward to your Blog Posts :))))
Milena xxx
This is how a blog should be.
Welcome back!
I have to say that I am thrilled that you will "remain integrated". I don't know that I could stand just reading about your research, or only about your family, or every post on yodeling pickles even (well... maybe that.) What I love is the diversity of what you give us here, it keeps you real and helps me feel like it is okay to shovel pig crap one day and talk to corporate executives the next.
Love, love, love what you do Brene- keep on keepin' on!!!!!!!!!!
Now, on to favorite things: orange and green, birds, anything my daughters create, homemade chocolate chip cookies, the sound of an "a-ha" moment in my classroom , new scrapbooking supplies, using old scrapbooking supplies, riding in the car and talking to my husband, friends who don't judge, a cool evening breeze after a hot day.
P.S: You know, this has made me wonder about the general lack of frivolity and wackiness and fun in the corporate world. There is some but not much. I believe that CEO actually needs to be introduced to the yodeling pickle.
♡
Hmmmmm ... (some of my) favourite things: silver bangles and chunky rings, walking on the beach and feeling the sand in my toes, the warmth of sunshine on my skin, holding a sleeping baby, pavlova, hugs with my family, photography, coffee with a friend.
Glad you're back!
Fiona :-)
I teach, and over summer vacation my mom suddenly. That means that tomorrow I face colleagues, some who know, some who don't, and will be blessed and wounded by their sympathy. I know that some expect me to be strong (that is my work face) but I know a couple will see through the facade. Brené, the facade has held this far but I don't know how much longer it can hold out. The authentic me is showing through the cracks, and I am not sure I want everyone to see. Your writing is helping me be brave enough to own this part of my story when I really want to pretend things are fine.
You help more than you can every know.
Please write whatever moves you.
It moves us, too.
Your book has been on pre-order since last spring. My sister-in-law's mother now works for Hazelden. I'm trying to figure out how to come and listen to you even though the topic doesn't apply to my life.
I love the TED talks... and I love that you are real -- yodeling pickle and all.
Maybe you could end up with different tabs at the top of your blog -- ala Pioneer Woman -- so someone looking for a certain subject could find it without going through everything else.
Sometimes, I even worry that my blog is too much "me, me, me" but like your Me-Ma, I like to share what's going on in my life, to let others know they aren't alone, and in hopes of finding a little comraderie. I guess I've come to the realization that my blog is just an extension of myself, a place to share a more personal side, and mix it up a bit with things like artsy tutorials.
I am glad you found your balance with your blog, and I look forward to reading more of your life, and your research. Though I don't comment often, I have enjoyed and been inspired. :)