tgif + a celebration giveaway

I've really missed TGIF. Why is it that when we get busy (even when it's good busy), the first thing to go is the one thing we need the most: gratitude.

I feel like I have a stockpile of appreciation so, in addition to my TGIF, I want to share this:

1. A huge "thank you" to everyone who has shared in my excitement about The Gifts of Imperfection! It's already in its second printing and that's amazing. The success of this book is due in large part to your tweets, reviews, Facebook and blog posts, and conversations. I'm also so grateful for all of you who come to the events - I know how busy everyone is. I really believe in this little book and I'm so thankful for your support!

Courtesy of Blue Lemon Photo

2. The TEDxHouston talk hit 100,000 views yesterday (on my birthday)! I'm humbled and overwhelmed, but mostly I'm shocked. I had such a HUGE vulnerability hangover after that talk. In fact, when I got home from the event I got in bed and cried my eyes out. I told Steve, "I just told 500 people that I had a breakdown and I told the truth about becoming a researcher so I could outsmart the scary stuff in life."  Steve smiled and said, "I bet it was great." Of course, I replied, "Dude, I hope they're not planning on posting that video."

Here's the thing. TEDxHouston was the very first time in my speaking career that the event planners said, "Have fun. Do your thing. We know you'll be awesome." There was no, "Don't talk about shame." No one said, "You can't wear jeans and you can't cuss." No one said, "You can't talk about the hard stuff in life if you want to inspire people." They just said, "We've seen you speak. We like what you do and what you're about. What inspires you will inspire us." 

So, to Javier Fadul, Kara Matheny & Tim DeSilva - the curators of TEDxHouston - thank you. Your trust and willingness to be vulnerable fueled my courage. It's a lesson that has already helped me so much as a parent, a teacher and a person just trying to find her way.

My TGIF:

Today,

I'm trusting myself. I just need to remember that in order for me to get in touch with what I really feel and need, I have to get quiet and still. I have to take a break. Slow down. Get off the grid. It's scary to do when there is so much swirling around you, but I'm learning to trust my gut right now.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my work. Thank you to CNN, PBS Parents, TEDxHouston, Psychology Today, TEDxKansas City, NPR,and PBS. There are so many wonderful thinkers, artists, and writers out there who are constantly struggling to find a way to share their gifts with the world. I spent years just trying to get one article into the paper. That's actually why I started blogging. I don't ever want to take these new opportunities for granted. I hope I'm contributing something valuable to the conversation. 

I'm inspired by my family. I'm counting down the days until we are all together for the holidays. I can't wait to bake cookies, play football, argue about politics, and talk trash while I'm beating someone in cards. I also can't wait to see these adorable cousins together!

Can you tell that my niece Amaya and Charlie are fixin' to do something questionable?

To show my thanks, I'm giving away 3 book sets (The Gifts of Imperfection, I Thought It Was Just Me, and a Hustle for Worthiness DVD).Three winners will win all three goodies!

Just leave your TGIF in the comments section and I'll pick winners on Monday.

Happy TGIF!