Just press send!

First things first...

A very special thanks to all you beautiful people who showed your love for my launch last week!!!!

I can't explain how nerve-wracking it was to go through with it.

It took 3 days after publishing the post to muster up the chops to announce it on Facebook.

After a few encouraging conversations with some friends who know me best, I decided to be bold and brave and just press send.

Even since, I've questioned the whole thing. I kept thinking, "Yup, I might be crazy for sharing such personal things with so many people."

That feeling will probably pop up every time I blast a new post. Like now. But so what?

I'm learning to let go of my fear of judgement...something that's weighed on me for a long time, in so many different ways.

It was really incredible to get such positive feedback and encouragement from people I hadn't seen or spoken to in years, and from some I don't know at all.

It made the whole process beyond worth it!

I guess I didn't set my expectation level very high. I realized how much I'd been holding myself back by fears and judgments that weren't necessarily based in reality.

Perception is a tricky thing.

We experience our judgments as real but sometimes they're nothing more than a bunch of BS in our heads.

We all have beliefs about people in our world, and about ourselves.

We make decisions about who we think they are and then we experience everything they do or say through that filter (He doesn't care, she's a bitch, they won't get it, etc.).

Sometimes we're on point, but a lot of times we're assuming and adding things to the mix that aren't necessarily there...or that were there before but might not be there now.

It's a subtle habit that has a huge impact on how you experience everything, especially your relationships with people.

Case in point: Two friends lose touch for a few weeks. Each thought the other was pissed about something, a story was born and a friendship lost. Then five years later they run into each other only to discover it was all a misunderstanding.

Person A: I wasn't mad at you.
Person B: I wasn't mad at you either.

OK, it's not always that dramatic, but seriously consider how much credit you give to the stories in your head. Are they really real or just assumptions?

People are not static. They're always changing. So even if you were right about someone yesterday, it doesn't mean you will be today.

Ask yourself whether your beliefs are based on fact or filter. And what kind of filter are you using?

 

Hmmm. Something to think about.

I'm learning to give people more credit and I've been pleasantly surprised to watch them step up to the plate.

It makes me wonder what else is possible and reminds me about one of my favorite posts...

Blasts from the past

Reminds me that I also need to be less judgmental and cynical...yes, I am a recovering cynic. Hard to believe with all the empowerment stuff I spew, but it's true.

It takes work, but life is just better with optimism. Realistic optimism.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again to everyone for your support, encouragement and love. This process hasn't been easy, but it's been an amazing learning experience and, I'm happy to say, a lot of fun.

Have a great week!

xoxo