Although basketball is my passion, and the primary focus of my blogging, it is nice to know I can connect with people on a different level. I received the nicest email today from a female colleague who serves on our newsletter committee at work. Although we’re both on the committee, our paths rarely cross aside from the occasional mid-afternoon meeting by the microwave or a “Good Morning” smile and nod. However, I have always thought her to be an intelligent, sophisticated, and generally strong woman. She had told me once before that I was one of her heroes, of sorts, and I smiled and shrugged sheepishly, never sure quite how to respond to compliments of that nature.
This morning, we distributed our monthly departmental newsletter, in which I included an article about my adventures as the HP Insider, along with a link to the HP Insider blog, as well as this one. (Shameless self-promotion, I realize, but if I don’t do it, then who will? How else am I going to get my name out there and have people start taking notice?) Shortly after the newsletter was sent out, I received the following email:
I just read your article: That’s All, Folks: Final Thoughts…
Wow! I was really blown away! I say again that you are my heroine. I know that you thought I was just saying something when I told you that, but I really did mean it. It is funny how we, people, are the hardest on ourselves.
Reading what you wrote… it was as if I had written it. My fear of rejection keeps me from trying new things and building walls so that I won’t get hurt. I had finally made up my mind to make a change when I asked if you all still needed help with the newsletter. I am grateful that you allowed me to join the group; I have learned so much.
Thanks to you I think that I will try new things myself.
As I read her words, it dawned on me that I’m not the only one who feels the way I do, and it gave me a strange feeling of belonging, in a larger sense and on a grander scale, than I have ever felt. I realized we all have our own demons to stare down and obstacles to overcome, whether they are thrust upon us by society or, as is more often the case, we inflict them upon ourselves. I found it simultaneously encouraging, comforting, and empowering to know that others could identify with me and the struggle within myself to become a better me. And then it occurred to me that, just maybe, the words flying from my fingers were being read, digested, and taken to heart by others. Amazingly enough, taking a chance and putting myself out there and sharing my story was having a positive impact on others. That, to me, is the greatest reward of all, and the reason why I finally decided it was time to step outside of my comfort zone and take a chance on something new.
In the words of my colleague, It is okay to try and fail. It is just not okay to not try.
This morning, we distributed our monthly departmental newsletter, in which I included an article about my adventures as the HP Insider, along with a link to the HP Insider blog, as well as this one. (Shameless self-promotion, I realize, but if I don’t do it, then who will? How else am I going to get my name out there and have people start taking notice?) Shortly after the newsletter was sent out, I received the following email:
I just read your article: That’s All, Folks: Final Thoughts…
Wow! I was really blown away! I say again that you are my heroine. I know that you thought I was just saying something when I told you that, but I really did mean it. It is funny how we, people, are the hardest on ourselves.
Reading what you wrote… it was as if I had written it. My fear of rejection keeps me from trying new things and building walls so that I won’t get hurt. I had finally made up my mind to make a change when I asked if you all still needed help with the newsletter. I am grateful that you allowed me to join the group; I have learned so much.
Thanks to you I think that I will try new things myself.
As I read her words, it dawned on me that I’m not the only one who feels the way I do, and it gave me a strange feeling of belonging, in a larger sense and on a grander scale, than I have ever felt. I realized we all have our own demons to stare down and obstacles to overcome, whether they are thrust upon us by society or, as is more often the case, we inflict them upon ourselves. I found it simultaneously encouraging, comforting, and empowering to know that others could identify with me and the struggle within myself to become a better me. And then it occurred to me that, just maybe, the words flying from my fingers were being read, digested, and taken to heart by others. Amazingly enough, taking a chance and putting myself out there and sharing my story was having a positive impact on others. That, to me, is the greatest reward of all, and the reason why I finally decided it was time to step outside of my comfort zone and take a chance on something new.
In the words of my colleague, It is okay to try and fail. It is just not okay to not try.
Excellent
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