Thursday, January 24, 2008

Thinking about... Pride

This has been an amazing week.
  • Circe's Circle has launched. With such beautiful, creative women in the group, how can it be anything but magical?
  • My second beta for Picture This! is booked and full.
  • 3 new students attended Nia class this week.

YAY! I feel really excited about the energy that's being generated and about what's possible from here. And I feel proud of myself for stepping out into the world and sharing what I have to offer.

And as I walk around beaming and feeling great, my thoughts touch on the concept of pride - not just in yourself (which I think is a beautiful and powerful thing) but also in others. When I was doing my coaching training, we were encouraged to stay away from saying things like "I am so proud of you" to clients because it suggests a power differential. This is a guideline I have flouted regularly! And here's why:

  • How many times has someone told you they were proud of you?
  • How many times have you ached to hear those words?

As a rule we do not tell people often enough that we are proud of them. People often justify this by saying, 'I didn't want so-and-so to get a swelled head." How many people do you actually know with a swelled head? Most people are struggling to find confidence, to believe in themselves. Sharing that you thought what they did or who they are is amazing (and meaning it) really makes a difference.

To me, being proud of someone for accomplishing something is just the flipside of believing in them before they do!

  • Who are you proud of? Will you go tell them?
  • What do you wish someone would be proud of you for? (and know that whatever it is - I am proud of you!)

5 comments:

Vedrana M. said...

i'm proud of you :)

Jana B said...

You know, the last time someone told me that anyone was proud of me, was at my dad's funeral. His best friend told me how proud my dad had been, and how his face lit up when he talked about me. That is something I will NEVER forget.

I am proud of... My unofficially-adopted-daughter for surviving my family yelling at her at my wedding. And yes, I will tell her that today :)

I'm proud of you, too, for getting Circe's Circle going, and for using your creativity to teach others to let their creativity out!

I wish someone would be proud of me for trying (and usually failing) to make my marriage work.

Melanie Margaret said...

I am proud of you Jamie!!!

This week has been full of momentum for me too. i can't wait to share it with you!
XO,
Melba

Anonymous said...

Jamie -- you go, girl!
This is your year. :-)

Marilyn said...

First of all, I love that photo! And pride, yes...a sticky one, eh? I just told my niece on Saturday how VERY proud I am of her (at her dance recital). It's not because she performs so well...it's (as I've told her many times) because she tackles everything she goes after with such passion and determination and gives it her all. I want to be like her when I grow up. ;)