I posted a question on my Facebook page yesterday. Quite simple actually.
what are three words that describe how you feel today?
Instead of leaving it open ending ended and getting all sorts of positive Facebook froufrou, I told you how I was feeling. In all honesty, the only way I know how to be.
INSPIRED. ~ by the conference I attended last weekend ~
OVERWHELEMD. ~ by life, and what is going on for me personally and in the world around me ~
NEEDY. ~ because sometimes you just need to know that people care ~
I really didn't know what to expect. Facebook is an experiment for me. It's my way of trying to reach out. It's hit or miss. You never know who is online, or who will take the time to read, or let alone comment. A crap shoot.
The responses I received surprised me. Almost everyone was feeling overwhelmed. Stressed. Tired. Scared. Sad.
We all live these "lovely" public persona's out there on the "the Twitter", or "the Facebook", or our blogs, or wherever we choose to step out. We put our BEST foot forward...showing the BEST pictures of our families...talking about our AMAZING promotions...our FABULOUS desserts and vacations. But is that who we really are?
I spoke at the aforementioned conference last weekend. Type A Parent. It was amazing. Not MY speaking! But what I gained from being with other people like me. People who tell their stories. People who are honest. People who are living their crazy lives online. I gained so much.
The speaking part. I wasn't so much worried about WHAT I was speaking about, you know...the content. I knew I could talk about selling and I knew I might even have some good ideas, tips and tricks to offer. But what was totally important to me? It's this simple fact.
I want to be the same person online as I am offline.
I really want to be your friend. I really do care about your life.
I want to be honest and real and genuine.
Let's face it....life is not always beautiful and fabulous and fashionable! Sure, it has those moments - lots of them. But some days I am just, well, needy.
Some days, being a mom is a sucky job.
Some days, being a business owner is too much to handle.
Some days being a good wife is just too hard.
Some days I just don't want to get out of bed.
And that is just real.
But it's not every day.
Most days in my ripped jeans and my tank top sitting at the studio with my dogs I am a very happy fulfilled person. I like pop rocks and gummy bears. I wear silly buttons and laugh at myself all the time. I love baseball and classical music. I have tattoos and green hair (for the moment). I show you my grungy side right along with my stellar high heels. I give you videos of me throwing a javelin with very 80's hair (maybe that was a bad idea!). I have crazy teenagers that drive me to eat chocolate, drink wine and workout. And not necessarily in that order!
But this is me.
But all in all when you meet me face-to-face I hope you say,
"That is EXACTLY how I thought she would be!"
And I hope you feel like you can come up to me and give me a hug.
So please, stop pretending everything is hunky-dory. Reach out. I mean really reach out. Be yourself. And look around you. I'm pretty sure there is someone there who just needs an encouraging word today.
You? I think you are awesome.
You are at the heart of everything I do.
You inspire me.
You have given me freedom to be myself.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
My three words today?
I always try to be myself both online and in real life...
ReplyDeleteThere are photo's from type-a to prove it! :-)
Great, well written post!
and THAT i believe is 100% true!!. now just make sure you come to NOLA so I can teach your more about NOT using your flash ;)
DeleteLisa, I've long admired your work and how you carry yourself (if that makes sense), and it was areal pleasure to go to dinner with you in a small group and get to know you a bit better in real life. You're one of those people that is even better in real life. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's hard to look beyond that facade we all have. While there aren't the same social norms anymore and people are more free to be themselves I think we all hesitate to put the hard parts out there. Sometimes it's because they are embarrassing or scary, and sometimes it's because we don't have the words for them.
I am definitely myself online, but there are parts I hold back-mainly because it's not my story to tell. Though in person I will share it all. I just think the world wide web isn't always the place for those discussions. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned that way.
Kelly, you are a gem! i'm so glad i got to know you better. you really are authentic and genuine...it's so easy to see that! thanks for your kind words...and thank you for reading. that means a lot! xo
DeleteYou inspire me to be a better person. I know you aren't perfect, but you carry yourself with a grace and strength I admire and hope to attain.
ReplyDeletequite possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. i love you friend.
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