honest to blog!

OK. I promise not to overdo the Juno-isms. They're just so totally boss.

Back to the blog.  

I'm not sure why, but unleashing this blog was one of the scariest things I've ever done. When I hit the "go live" button yesterday, I felt physically sick.

I kept thinking, "Maybe this is a bad idea. Something is wrong. I shouldn't be this afraid."

Then I remembered one of the big lessons from last year. Part one of the lesson was something I heard Eve Ensler say. I was at Women, Power and Peace Conference at the Omega Institute. She was talking about her work on the Vagina Monologues, she paused for a second, then said, "Honestly, I am never afraid and I am always afraid." It was a huge moment for me. It was the right time and space for me to hear that it's OK to hold both of these at the same time. Uncomfortable, but OK.

Part two came a few months later, when I was in San Francisco and I met the fabulous Diane Conway. The back of her book reads, "She is a self-described 'do-over' queen and survivor, riddled with fears, who lives her dreams anyway." It's the "doing it anyway" part that really spoke to me. I think the subtitle of her book is as important as the title:

What Would You Do If You Had No Fear: Living Your Dreams While Quakin' in Your Boots 

Fear is often helpful (like when it comes to large, poisonous snakes or Chuck E. Cheese). But, it can also keep me from "going live." Today, I'm going to live this little blog dream of mine, while I'm quakin' in my brown, suede flower clogs. 

And, I really appreciate all of the supportive emails and comments. They mean a lot to me and they certainly calm the quake.  

Comments

[Ginger Bauler]

Dear Brene -
I heard you speak as the keynote speaker at SAAS last summer and was knocked off my feet. I work with a small group of people who just launched a website, www.thesecondroad.org, which is a platform for people in recovery helping others get on and stay on the road!
I am thrilled that I can just click and read your wonderfully funny and insightful words - it's almost as good as having you in the same room speaking!

Thanks so much for sharing your wit and wisdom with others. I do love the way you write!

[Valeria E.]

Brene,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts in this your new blog. The site looks great and it has already been a great resource for me, very entertaining too.
Reading you say you were afraid of "going live" gives me hope, makes my fear of sending you this comment feel more normal. So here it goes, my first message, I'm sending it now... POST!

[Dawn]

I need to do some public speaking next week - maybe my fear is normal and I should just embrace it instead of trying to find ways to get out of it. Love the clogs!

[Renae Cobb]

Bravo for the "ordinary courage" it takes to do the things that seem like they should be so simple yet are often so beyond difficult.

Another Houston writer friend of mine, Jeanie M., put me on to your book about 3 months ago. It took my breath away. My own journey was reflected in so many places. I am currently working on an advanced degree and mental health licensing, and hope to be able to take the training you are starting to offer sometime in the future.

Keep putting yourself out there - even when it's terrifying - you have no idea the impact you are making!

[e.beck]

i've just read pages and pages and pages of your blog .... i found a link to you from allison strine .... you are a joy to read ... but here ... at your groovy shoes, i needed to stop and leave a comment!
cheers to you ....