Son Anthony, Julia, Owen, daughter-in-law Chelsea on brownstone steps in Brooklyn. Photographer: Inbal Sivan

Yesterday we talked about Brene Brown’s TED talk on vulnerability. Her word for the people who have embraced vulnerability with courage, is “wholeheartedness.”

I hope your New Beginnings give you greater, and more whole, heart.

If you need a little extra heart today, just take a look at my grandson Owen on this picture. He’s an icon for wholeheartedness, casting himself to the four winds.

We have this picture on our refrigerator. I look at it every day and always smile and say a little prayer of gratitude and blessing.

A Wholehearted Example From the 100 Day Challenge Entries:

“For a social event this evening I tried a new color combination. I wore pink and orange together with a stunning result that I will likely repeat. Very lively! ”

96 Sweet Days Until Blush Launches

Whether your heart becomes more whole through color or through a gesture like Owen’s, may this day bring you both new intention and a great surprise.

And don’t forget to click here to record your New Beginning for the day.

One final quote.
 “When moving outside of your comfort zone, jump in with both feet. You have a better chance of success if you give it your all!”
–Michael Hyatt

Shirley Showalter

6 Comments

  1. Marian Beaman on June 8, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Your theme of wholeheartedness, along with the photo of the exuberant Owen and family, brought into sharp focus an experience I had which I’ll call jumping the gun. My College embraced online learning early on and hybrid classes were the next step. I wholeheartedly jumped right in, with both feet, seeing it as the perfect blend of convenient, online learning and the intimacy of face-to-face interaction.

    Alas, the marketing and registration people lagged a bit and my class didn’t materialize then, but I don’t regret what I learned preparing for the course. One of my colleagues wrote me a note later: “I’d rather be green and growing than ripe and rotting!

  2. shirleyhs on June 8, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Marian, I truly believe that no effort made with love and enthusiasm (en- theos, meaning in God) is wasted.

    It goes to some great cloud in the sky and comes down as rain on parched land — either yours or others.

    I’ll bet that happened to you in some way.

    Thanks for jumping into the deep end right away.

    Now we have enough metaphors to get dizzy.

  3. WarmGinger on June 9, 2013 at 2:43 am

    I love this Ted talk…and BB’s ‘The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto’ is one I read and share regularly (you can download it in poster form from her website).

    Above my desk I have a little pink note that contains one of my most important affirmations: Deep leaps set you free!

    And the photo of your family is amazing. I just want to jump up to the sky with Owen!

  4. Janice Gary on June 9, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    I love the theme of wholeheartedness, especially as defined in terms of embracing vulnerability with courage. So hard to do when you are in pain or fear. The picture of Owen has made my day. I needed some wholeheartedness today. Thank you!

    • shirleyhs on June 10, 2013 at 10:11 am

      Thank you, Janice. Isn’t it helpful to have a picture to guide your spirit? Maybe you’ll want to look for, clip and save, more of these. Pain and fear are hard to overcome, but they do not win in the end. Blessings on your minutes, day, and week. Thanks for your comment.

  5. Richard Gilbert on June 9, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    Love this series, a gift to your readers!

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