Wow the day has arrived, yes my first ever blog post.
I want to begin by sharing with you an amazing quote which I first read at the beginning of Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly.
The phrase Daring Greatly is from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech,Citizenship in a Republic. This is the passage that made the speech famous:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
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 . . .”
Since reading this book I decided to be more courageous, to challenge myself to use that 20 seconds of amazing courage that visits me. To let myself be vulnerable.
Today I, Karen Main, boldly and proudly am stepping into the arena.
So how did I get here, to be the proud owner and author of a blog?
This has been an idea that began growing deep inside me years ago. I have made notes about it, dreamed about it, chatted to friends about it. Then I decided to do something about it.
I grabbed that seed of an idea and I planted it, deep into my being. I loved it and nurtured it until it grew too big to hold onto.
It was time to either let go of this incredible idea or to grow it outside of me for all the world to see.
The decision was tough and yet once made felt so right. I felt invigorated, rejuvenated, scared, nervous and courageous.
I was planning to join an enormous community that I have admired for so long.
I was planning to put myself out there, in the arena and it felt amazing.
I kissed my little seed and brought it out into the light.
It was time for it to grow more.
I found us some nourishment and I signed up for an ecourse by one of my favourite bloggers Liv Lane .
I chose a spot to plant it, a home, a website, and worked with the amazingly patient Michele Bergh to build its foundation.
Then I added my own rich soil as I prepared to plant it here on my website
We needed some sunshine and my logo was made with thanks to the incredible work by Greta at Colour and Spice
I hold now in my hand something that is fragile and yet can stand strong.
My own dandelion.
Dandelion standing strong
Ready and waiting for me to lean in and softly and sweetly blow the seeds of my messages to ride the wind currents.
I invite you to open up your window by subscribing or visiting here often and to lean out and catch the seeds as they drift past.
This will be my place where I endeavour to shine a light on my everyday moments and capture the breathtaking in the familiar.
Karen, CONGRATS on the beginning of your blog journey! You have a beautiful start, love it. 🙂
So looking forward to watching your seed grow! Congratulations! Can’t wait to read more…
Congratulations on taking the leap! Can’t wait to follow your journey!
Karen, I love the dandelion image and analogy. Your site is lovely and simply elegant. I’m looking forward to “catching the seeds”!
Yeah! Such a great first post. Love the dandelion pic and the BB quote. Am reading Daring Greatly right now!
Karen, hurrah, you did it! In the arena, indeed. And with such class and elegant style right out of the gate. I love your logo and am checking out the person who did it now. Thanks for linking to that!
Here’s to beautiful beginnings and many happy blogging days to come.
Alice
Omigosh, you had this Social Studies teacher at “Theodore Roosevelt” and “Citizenship in a Republic”!! 🙂 So eager to see what else you create ~ congrats on your first post!
~Sarah
Karen,
Look at all you have accomplished! The website is beautiful. Your dandelion imagery in your first blog is magical! You are off to a great start.
a) I love your blog design.
b) I love your “voice.”
c) I love your analogy.
Can’t wait to love more! 🙂
The dandalion metaphor is brilliant Karen! Yay to you for publishing your first post! I look forward to reading more that you find in your breathtaking life!
Wow, your blog is off to a beautiful start! I love your tag line and look forward to reading your future posts.
A brave step forward…CONGRATULATIONS!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Karen, you sure know how to grab a heart! I’ve taken Brene Brown’s ecourse and LOVE Daring Greatly, so I feel like we’re kindred spirits. What a way to begin! This is how to kick off a blog. I LOVE the dandelion ready-for-seed-wish-dispersement. That image is a perfect metaphor.
Susan,
Thank you for visiting me here and all your kind words. Brene Brown’s Ecourse wow. Putting that on my list.
Karen, I just found this (you see I am very behind in our BBTL class). This is so outstanding. I hope my blog launch will be as classy and inspiring as yours. Daring to allow your seed to fly allows me to reach out and spread some of my own. I’ll be checking out your other posts!
Maury I am so glad you found me. Thank you for your kind words, I look forward to sharing our blog courage together.
Karen