Dear Brené, Well, we’ve made it to the end of Rising Strong. When I embarked on the adventure of an online book club with Amanda and Jodie, I didn’t realise how exposed we’d all feel by the process. Amanda, Jodie and I have something in common—if we do something, we do it wholeheartedly. Maybe that’s […]
Dear Brené, As I’ve rumbled with shame, identity, criticism and nostalgia I see that I’ve cut off parts of my true self, silenced parts. In being the name of being tough and strong and resilient I’ve created emotional orphans. If you’re not living wholeheartedly you forget how to really be yourself. Being vulnerable and recognizing that I […]
Dear Brené, As I dive into Rising Strong my life is being edited to pieces. The story is getting more convoluted and messy—more a *SFD than a polished piece of work. In my head there’s this idealized version of my life. Sort of like the website It’s Like They Know Us. https://www.facebook.com/itsliketheyknowus?fref=ts But in real life […]
For the last three weeks, Jodie, Amanda and I have been having a conversation in our online book club. The conversation has been challenging and rewarding. From Rumbling With the Dark Side, to being an Emotional Ninja to The Reckoning we’ve all been through an emotional tumble dryer. Our lives have been shaken, stirred and shifted […]
Dear Brené, Well, we’ve made it to Chapter Four. Amanda’s become a ninja and is having an online personality crisis. Jodie tried to skip Day Two, but found it impossible—just like you said she would. I’m going to be straight with you, I don’t’ want to go into the Dark Cave of Reckoning. In fact, […]
Dear Brené, I hope you don’t mind me calling you Brené. I’ve never met you in person, but I’ve read your books and watched your TED talks and feel like I know you. In Rising Strong you give voice to so many things I feel, but haven’t been able to articulate. You’ve given me a language […]
What if money was no object? What would you do? Doing what you desire, becoming a master of it and then making money from it makes sense. Doing something you hate to perpetuate that life journey doesn’t make any sense. If money is the only goal then life is pretty empty and pointless. I often […]
‘Bella Donna!’ A man says as he approaches and thrusts his smiling face in front of mine with a quick glance up and down. If this happened in my home city, I’d be worried. If anyone invades your personal space and makes some comment, you’d feel threatened. Here, in Florence, it’s a part of the […]
When you’ve written your list of 100 Things, I need to let you know that there is a rule—a non-negotiable rule. As one item is crossed off, it has to be replaced with something new. That way, you will never feel like your life is over, and you always have one hundred […]
