Disclaimer: It is entirely possible that the combination of being half empty-nesters (is that even a thing?) and reading one too many Brene Brown books like The Power of Vulnerability and Dare to Lead has taken its toll.
We are at a strange place in life. Or at least, I am.
For more than 15 years, we have been a basketball family. And if you know, you know…that means that for nearly every night of the week from about October- February, we were typically at a game or practice of some sort.
This year, however, our two youngest daughters decided not to play – so we only had Kyler in basketball for about 6 weeks over the holidays.
That is A LOT of hours and evenings to “suddenly” have available. There went my excuse for not making dinner!
And while this post isn’t about basketball (though there are plenty of sports stories spinning around my head), I found myself thinking a lot about a project that had been in the back of my mind for a long time. The idea sat there, sort of festering somewhere next to all the reorganization projects and decluttering activities that lurk in my brain under the category of “good intentions.”
Enter the vulnerability part.
According to Dr. Brene Brown, “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives….Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
And so it is that I took on my project.
With little more than an idea, decades-old encouragement from a college professor, and previously written stories from years ago, “Somewhere Between Order and Chaos” was launched. www.somewherebetweenorderandchaos.com
“If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall. These are the physics of vulnerability.”
– Brene Brown
Somewhere Between Order and Chaos is a collection of lessons learned through parenting various (and very different) personalities while navigating marriage (also very different personalities!) and a law enforcement life that is filled with a seemingly never-ending cycle of schedule changes and highs and lows.
It is a reflection of teachable moments that come on and off the court or field, as well as perspectives gained through service and volunteering at church or in the community.
It is also a recollection of “disasters” and mistakes made as landlords, DIY’ers, entrepreneurs and most definitely as parents and spouses.
It is about trial and error, love and loss, forgiveness found and given – and finding happiness.
There is always something to be happy about.
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – – Brene Brown
It’s a work in progress.
“We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time….Courage is contagious. A critical mass of brave leaders is the foundation of an intentionally courageous culture. Every time we are brave with our lives, we make the people around us a little braver and our organizations bolder and stronger.” – – Brene Brown
And so, even as I am a bit terrified to publish this post, I’m trying to practice what I am trying to teach my kids…so, here goes.
I’m inviting you to check out “Somewhere Between Order and Chaos,” www.somewherebetweenorderandchaos.com. And if anything resonates with you and you feel so inclined to share -please feel free.
Here’s to being brave and vulnerable and to looking for the good and finding “normal”…somewhere between the order and chaos that is life.
“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 at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Please be kind with your judgments.
