This is a video of my e-friend . . . sort of. I’ve never met her. But, we’re on an email discussion list for women in media. She needed suggestions once for a trip she was taking to Oregon so I emailed her with my suggestions. A year or two passed before we ever exchanged emails again. I don’t really remember why. And, then . . . her house burned down.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOFy8hm9vRY&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rMNAhCuygfSYuqYPk4a9xyE&feature=share&index=1[/youtube]
I found out about it the same day it happened – on the same email discussion list. The poster said Andi was playing out in Oregon but was now making the drive back toward home. It’s been a couple of years since that fire took down the walls of her home. I still haven’t met her. I drop in on her blog Burning Down the House periodically to read her poetic writing. Mostly it’s about learning life’s lessons . . . and receiving life’s gifts. And, I am humbled by her strength.
Today, on that same email discussion list, she mentioned that she had created a TedTalk and was hoping that we would go check it out, “like” it, and share it with others who might do the same. I went to check it out to see what I might learn and if she might have something that speaks to you.
I’m sure for many of us that work with trauma, transitions, and grief, there is much to consider here. And, you are welcome to leave your thoughts about those things, too.
But, I wonder, after listening to Andi on this video, what walls in your business do you you need to burn down in order to do the work you were meant to do . . . to work in a bigger world . . . in a more visible way? That’s the question I’m asking myself today. And, I’m asking you, too.
(And, if my sort of e-friend, Andi, has spoken to you today, I’m also asking that you share this video in as many different places as you possibly can so that others can see her work, too.)
Hi Tamara,
Thank you for sharing Andi O’Conor’s inspiring TEDtalk.
How touching to hear that she not only survived and thrived after one fire but after two! And how lovely that her blog and story has become a beacon of hope and help to others who have lost their homes and possessions around the world to natural disasters or wars.
She has given some interesting food for thought… are there any walls in our lives that may be keeping our worlds small/er than what they could be? Are there some walls that need to be taken down to enable us to either be happier or fulfill our potential?
Hmm… as I think about this, I’m about to take down the wall separating my social media persona and my personal one…
Ooooooho, Dorlee! I CAN’T WAIT! And, why now? I was just talking to my participants in BlogStart for Therapists about you and telling them that I don’t know your last name and that I know very little about you. I know that I started following your amazing blog when you were still a student and that, I think, you are in NYC.
As I have opportunities to travel in the NE, I have often wished for the opportunity to meet you in person. Perhaps with this wall coming down, that will be more likely in the coming years! So excited about that and so pleased to have you dropping in this weekend to let me know!
BTW – Please know you are welcome to guest post here any time, Dorlee . . . perhaps you would like to share some of your thoughts about keeping your professional and personal identities separate right here in a post . . . ?