26 Jun 2012 5 Comments
To brag or not to brag? That is the question!
Bragging. Blowing my own trumpet. Boasting. Do those words and phrases inspire you to shout about and be positive about your great experiences and achievements? NO. So many negative associations come up with these words, but why? Why do most of us find it so hard to talk about the happy, positive things in our lives? Is being miserable somehow more acceptable? Is it that we worry that if we are happy then we might upset the people around us?
Yesterday I read a fantastic blog post by the wonderful Sassy Lisa in the post Lisa fearlessly proclaims “I’m awesome” and do you know what? She really is and she does a great job in helping other people to own their own AWESOMENESS too. I am also reminded of Mama Gena who encourages women to brag about the good stuff. The fantastic group coaching programme that I was recently a part of, run by the fabulous Corrina Gordon-Barnes, also promoted celebration of achievements.
When I read Lisa’s wonderful post I began to think about the fact that recently I had slipped back into not being proud of anything. I had become a misery, a complete victim able to throw the greatest pity party. I thought I’d got over all of that early conditioning. I didn’t think it was OK to shout about my happiness or acknowledge my joy when I was younger….but I DO know better now, so what was going on? Sitting with this issue and feeling the pain in my heart helped me to reconnect. I realised that part of me was ashamed that things hadn’t been going so well for me on some levels recently, I was equating that to my worth. However, I am worthy because I AM, not because I do, or produce, or whatever.
SO, I am back to my supporting practice of daily gratitude lists and blimey, I could fill pages….breathing, my supportive husband, beautiful dog, warm bed, home, countryside, garden, hot running water….so much, so much to celebrate. I really have no need to fear being happy any more.
I invite you to BRAG about the juice in your life. Add some comments, fill these pages with succulence. There really is so much gratitude to shout about. Support your friends and family in being proud of who they are, of their achievements. Provide space for others to blow their own trumpets. Let’s fill our lives with joyful sharing.
Practice self love. Brag.
If you need a gentle daily reminder then take a look at my self-love inspiration cards
©Ani Richardson
Jun 26, 2012 @ 12:13:16
There is a Northern European religious rite known as Symbel, where a drinking horn is passed around and the first time, we drink in honour and celebration of an ancestor, then to someone in their life now, then to the gods. Very easy to celebrate others.
After that though, it is traditional to celebrate yourself and, actually, to BOAST about your skills or achievements. You have to be sincere but you must boast about your awesomeness, because as you drink to it you and your clan are blessing this version of yourself as the real thing. No space for downplaying there. Think Viking – those dudes didn’t hide light under a bushel!!
Magin Rose wrote a nice post on a multi-faith, simple version of the symbel rite: http://www.maginrose.com/2011/10/wunjo-joy-through-the-symbel-rite/
Lovely post Ani xx
Jun 26, 2012 @ 12:44:10
Thanks Kay! It would be so great if we had a boasting ceremony in the UK. Perhaps I could invent one for myself. I definitely think a ritual like that would help me right now. Thanks also for the link, i’ll check it out xx
Jun 26, 2012 @ 13:43:13
Love this example, Kay. You could actually host a gathering, Ani – the “boasting circle”. I’d come
Jun 26, 2012 @ 12:18:00
Thanks for the invitation Ani! Here goes… I am so proud that my gorgeous partner and I have planned a dream holiday. We booked flights to Seattle and we’ll be spending three weeks out in the Pacific NorthWest including funky Portland and all the beautiful surrounding Oregon scenery. We’ve found the most incredible accommodation, we’ve signed up with ZipCar which gives us access to an Audi A3 to drive the coastal route and we’re spending time with my business mentors (as well as undoubtedly meeting many inspirational new people). We’ve reserved the flight seats of our choice, we’re buying the highest-quality luggage and I’m getting some smart new glasses so I can enjoy all the new sights with crystal-clear clarity. This is all a massive shift: investing in us and our leisure time and dedicating time to properly get away and explore the world, exactly how we want to. And I want to celebrate how running a profitable business makes all of this easy; we’re making every choice not by asking “Can we afford it?” but “What do we want?” and then finding that. Feels wonderful to celebrate this and to be blazing this trail.
Jun 26, 2012 @ 12:45:55
This is totally beautiful Corrina. Wow, you are really investing in some serious joy. FABULOUS. Go you! So deserved. My turn to say “You Inspire Me”! xx