disclaimer: this post is lengthy and there are no stories with pretty pictures. bear with me and i hope something resonates with you all. x-melissa
it’s not often that i come on here and recommend a book. honestly, i do so much heavy reading at work and around how science works that i straight up just want to zone off the clock. i crave carefree conversation or something that stimulates me in a different way like music.
not today. reading for pleasure is something i have not explored in a long long time but i am captivated by this book: daring greatly…by brene brown. here’s an excerpt that really struck me in light of some recent harrowing news we experienced in this country. . .bolded emphasis my own
Scarcity thrives in a culture where everyone is hyper-aware of lack. Everything from safety and love to money and resources feels restricted or lacking. We spend inordinate amounts of time calculating how much we have, want, and don’t have, and how much everyone else has, needs, and wants. The greatest casualties of a scarcity culture are our willingness to own our vulnerabilities and our ability to engage with the world from a place of worthiness.
on a personal note, this draws from a speech my boss made last christmas as we embarked upon our last year before the clinical trials ended this autumn 2012. he made mention of teddy roosevelt’s speech Citizenship in a Republic highlighting this portion:
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 . . .’
this year has changed me. i was more vulnerable, even fragile at times. i have been pushed to my emotional, physical and mental limits by this challenge. no matter the outcome, i can rest assured that i gave this thing my all and devoted myself to the project, the individuals and families who continue to suffer with ALS.
do not let comparison be the thief of your joy this season! just stop what you’re doing right now and give love. listen to those around you and reach for the patience deep down that you have cultivated. simply giving of ourselves to those around us not only enhances the experience of the human condition but truly does make the world a better place in which to live.
p.s. here are some insights on the book from the TED blog…<3 TED talks!
thanks for reading TDP faithfully. i know i have a devoted set of readers and i sense your support! it’s helped me continue to scrawl out and share many variations of topics close to my heart. all the best to you ::cheers::
December 20, 2012 at 8:46 pm
This definitely resonates with me as well. I have compared myself, had my patience tested, and was pushed to emotional limits I didn’t know existed.
I know that this has been a trying year for you with your work. I can not imagine the roller coaster you have been on with patients and their families. You are amazing my friend and such a wonderful beautiful person inside and out. Thank you so much for sharing this!
It is so important to give love. We get so caught up with the stress sometimes we have to try and remember to spread positive energy. It’s a lovely thing XO
December 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm
give love this season — totally agree! thank you for sharing this. you are so strong and we admire you for all your hard work!!
December 20, 2012 at 10:13 pm
The work you do….just yeah. You are an amazing, devoted, and brilliant woman. Thinking of you and wishing nothing but the best for you in the coming year!
December 21, 2012 at 7:19 am
Wonderful post. I just finished the Gifts of Imperfection and was blown away. Lots of love to you. x
December 21, 2012 at 3:52 pm
As an actor, I am constantly surrounded by artists, and am very familiar with trying to better the world from that perspective. I love science, although my mind is not well-equipped to understand it, and love hearing what people (you) are doing to make the world a better place through science.
I’m glad the world is filled with all kinds of people giving love in all kinds of ways.
December 29, 2012 at 6:17 pm
why thank you! i’m happy for those involved in the arts because it stimulates the mind in an entirely different way. we need the balance of both!
December 29, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I will definitely check the book out—I am working on “daring greatly” in my life, and it’s certainly a process…a good one so far. But I do need the reminders now and again too (and the reinforcement), especially when I get stuck in the muck and lose some of the desire and drive. Thanks for this!
December 29, 2012 at 6:18 pm
enjoy, it is a wonderful read! reinforcement is key…positive mental attitude
December 31, 2012 at 4:05 am
I love this message! Like yours- and so many others!- this year has been a particularly trying one for me. But as I was just lying in bed thinking (oh, insomnia, what is with you and Sunday nights?) I let myself feel proud for the way I’ve come through it. I’m so glad to hear you affirm your accomplishments and admit how hard you work. You must be a quite a role model at your office!
December 31, 2012 at 2:29 pm
thank you so much! but honestly, there isn’t one lazy person in my workplace. it’s not so much that it is a super competitive environment, but each person is so passionate about what they do and how we can do so much more working as a team that the productivity is through the roof. it’s an incredibly unique environment and each decision is carefully planned to suit our corporate culture. we’re a small business but a mighty force!