Sharing and Being Authentic

I don't love blogging, but I do see its value and I know how important it is for me to continue even though I am not on the team this year. The problem I have with blogging is how to take all those thoughts and feelings swirling around in my head, make sense of them and then figure out how to put them into words. At first, sharing was extremely difficult and there are still times when my finger still hovers over that publish button wondering.... do I? or don't I??

I think that confidence and growth comes from our ability and willingness to continually step out of our comfort zones. Hiding behind a mask doesn't allow us to be true to ourselves. Even though my mask is firmly in place most of the time, I'm learning to drop it more and more through my blogging. Everything for me is a process and comes with time.

What is is about sharing that is so difficult to many of us? I think it is a feeling of vulnerability as we step out from behind our mask. Exposing our thoughts, feelings, and even mistakes can be scary. Acceptance and a fear of judgement can be powerful reasons to not share. When we do share our thoughts, emotions and ideas, we create open communication. Acceptance and understanding grows, and judgement eventually disappears.

Reflection, acknowledgement and sharing are powerful tools that can have huge benefits for the person doing the sharing and those of us willing to receive. Communication and sharing helps others to feel they are not alone and great ideas and innovations can be discovered through the process. So much can be accomplished through sharing and eventually that mask will no longer be needed.

Give... dig deep, and allow your authentic self to come through.

Michele Ward


P.S. Thank you to Sihing Csillag for sharing this week. Her post caused me to reflect and create this blog.