Too many times, we let the looks, comments and opinions of others rule the way we are.  We walk into rooms with fear that others won’t like what they see.  We hesitate saying things that might not be widely accepted, and we lack the courage to stand up for others when they are put to the test.

Here’s the reality: YOU (and only you) write your own story.

I can think of several people in my life that are comfortable in their own skin.  They bring about an ease of being that makes others flock to them.  Each of them has found a way to be proud of who they are, and don’t exhibit this need to mold themselves to others just to be accepted.  When I asked these people if they ever experience fear (that apparently I have never seen them exhibit), the answer surprised me.  They experience fear on a regular basis.

Researcher and author Brene Brown has started a good conversation on being vulnerable.  The biggest challenge for most of us, is that we don’t always know what we want, and we are afraid to voice that concern. The phrase “fake it ’til you make it” has some validity when approaching new situations.  Not to fake your lack of knowledge or insight into something unknown, but to fake (at least in your head) the feeling of acceptance.  What if each of us were to walk into a room full of strangers with our story already figured out – where we were comfortable and confident with the things we do know, and open to the possibility of growing through the experiences of others?

Negativity doesn’t have a place for you.  Don’t even consider it as part of your story.  The challenges that we have faced are stepping stones to our ideal outcome.  When you open up yourself to a story of success, the positive energy you create will make your story a best seller every time.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

“Maybe stories are just data with a soul.” ~Brene Brown