One of 52

For about the the last year and a half I have been doing a lot of reading, in books and online, about personal development, happiness, motivation, goals, etc. (Brene' Brown- love her TED talk and website, her books are great too -Gretchen Rubin - really loved The Happiness Project, wasn't as excited about Happier at Home-, The Bloggess-Jenny Lawson, Mighty Girl-Maggie Mason, TEDtalks, the books START and Secrets of Happy Families). 

One of the websites I joined is Go Mighty, it is a networking/goal setting website. The problem was, I knew I wanted to accomplish SOMETHING, but I couldn't figure out what. I couldn't thing of anything that felt authentic, challenging, reasonable or noteworthy. I realized that I want/need a cheerleader - someone who would be on my side, whatever I wanted to do - someone to tell me, "Yes, you can totally do this. What do you need? How can I help?" So, I decided to put in the universe what I wanted. I completely get a rush being a part of someone else's excitement. I'm a good problem-solver, kind of a jack of most trades, like to learn new things, so this seemed right up my alley. I decided to help 52 people reach their goals. I picked 52 because I like lists, it seems challenging, but not overwhelming, and since there are 52 weeks in a year, it felt right!

On Wednesday, I sent to a friend a first round edit, done pro-bono, to help her reach her goal of publishing her book.  This experience was work, no doubt, but fun, too.  It felt great to reach out to someone and help propel them toward their dream.  It was a fulfilling experience to give someone a piece of my work.  I was hesitant, at first, because we are friends.  I didn't want to hurt her feelings or discourage her in some manner.  I decided to lean into the discomfort and give my best, honest opinion and trust that she would take the work in the spirit it was given - love and excitement and encouragement to reach her dreams.  

I am looking forward to the next person I can help and hope that somewhere along the way, I find what I am meant to do. 

Your Requests Wanted

       This morning another “BIG IDEA” was percolating and I was turning it over and looking at it and the steps it may require. I was starting to get that pressure in my chest, brain to big for my skull, second-guessing and anxiety / fear pushing it away before I had even verbalized or put one word on paper.  To combat that gremlin, I was going to have another go at my list on Go Mighty and see if there was a way I could put it out there in the universe.  

And then I saw this goal. Help 52 people reach their goals. I don’t really remember writing this goal. The words resonated with me, it felt true.  It is even somewhat linked to the “BIG IDEA” I had this morning.  So now, I am actively on a quest to find 52 people achieve their goals. 

YOUR REQUESTS WANTED!

Need an extra set of eyes on book you’re writing?

Looking for an objective party to give you honest feedback?

Need help making a budget?

Want someone to text/email you everyday to check on your activity levels?

Looking for someone to enter data in a spreadsheet?

Have 5 years of taxes that need to be done?

I want to help.  Let me know what you need and I will do what I can to get you closer to your goal.

Stumbling to a Better Life

While using StumbleUpon, I found this interesting site called High Existence.  It has links to different blog posts, discussion boards, etc.  I admit, some don't really appeal to me, but then some just reach up and grab me.

This post on 8 TEDtalks That Could Change Your Life Forever, was not an oversell. I love these 20 minute glimpses into the worlds of science, technology, human condition, and all the rest.  They are just enough to peak  pique my interest and send me searching for more.  Dr. Brene' Brown's talk (#2 on the list above) did just that.




I have been in a state lately, reading Dr. Brene' Brown's work.  She is a researcher storyteller and she studies what I would call the human condition.  She is/was a social worker and has done interesting work delving into shame and vulnerability and how that translates into our lives - for better or for worse. 

It has been eye opening to begin to identify the way these conditions affect lives and how releasing them allows us to move through them.  I won't pretend to have the ability to distill her life's work down into a few lines on my blog, but if any of the above sound interesting to you, please take a few minutes and listen to her talk or check out her website. 

As a parent, wife, member of society and a human being that has to live with myself on a daily basis, I am forever grateful that I have discovered a new perspective and way of looking at myself and the world.