No Person is an Island

Dearest Readers,

I'd like to start off today's blog by inviting you to become an official "follower." I spoke to a woman yesterday who told me she'd been reading the blog but wanted make sure she'd informed me of this fact before she posted a comment. She didn't want to be seen as "lurking".

I wonder how many other people feel this way? If you are reading the blog on a regular basis, please don't be embarrassed about posting a comment or becoming a follower. I would love to know who you are. It inspires me to see your little pictures up there, even if there is an empty frame.

Speaking of an empty frame, I have posted my picture on the blog today as a way of practicing what I preach. Anonymity is great, I'm a big fan of it. But sometimes we need to open the door to being a little bit more "public" about ourselves to create a deeper feeling of community.

Believe it or not, I'm an isolator. I always have been. I'd rather be by myself and hiding from the world. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense for a person who lives much of her life in the public eye but there you go. Fear is not logical.

And my desire to isolate most certainly comes from fear. I don't want to be vulnerable, hurt, or rejected. By putting myself out there as a writer/performer I'm doing the thing I think I cannot do. I'm walking through my fear. I'm refusing to give the fear the power to control my life.

When I look at the reasons behind the fear I discover an old belief system. "I'll be safe if I protect myself from other people. If people find out who I am they won't like me."

Old belief system. Old BS.

So how do we squash the Old BS? We practice new behaviour. In my case, opening up to people, getting involved in community activities, inviting people to join me for events to which I'd normally go alone. Posting my photograph on the blog. Scary stuff!

But as a result of these changes I have expanded my experience to include so many wonderful things, this little blog being just one of them.

So if you're afraid of being seen, you're not alone. Click "Follow" and let us know who you are. Be a part of an Inspiring Community!

Inspiring Message of the Day: We need each other. When we support one another our lives grow richer and more complete.