Round Two: The Vulnerability Word

Brené Brown did it again.  She gave another amazing talk that resonated with me in a very profound way. Just as the first TED talk that I alluded to here did, this one has found me at a very appropriate time: following a mini melt -down, (okay,let's be honest: a full-out exhaustion-stress-induced-I've-reached-my-max cry fest) or as Brené might say, a break down.  Ms. Brown's well spoken words reminded me that it is okay to not have all the answers, to be open with where you are, and to fail with grace and courage. She has also reminded me, at a very important time, to stay in the arena- no matter what the critics have to say about it. Because while I may not always feel that what I do is good enough or great, at least I am willing to be in the arena, covered in the dust and dirt, ready to get up again and do it better. I am printing and hanging this quote with haste:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."- Theodore Roosevelt

I highly doubt that Ms. Brown will ever read this, but if she does, I have this to say: THANK YOU for taking the risk and sharing yourself with the world. You have made a difference. 

Yours in Grit and Striving for Grace, 

Erin