My Blissdom Post...Finally!

The thought of this post still overwhelms me.
But also makes me smile.
Really big.
So here it goes....

I met some fantastic people. Amazing women actually.
Women I felt an instant connection with. Women who were really sweet.
Women like Kami, Marie, Ruthanne, Melissa S., Dee, Maggie aka Gussy, Lisa Leonard, Allison, Arianne, Sara Sophia, Katie, Katie J. Kristi, Alison, Melissa B., Ashleigh, Calley, Nish, Lori, just to name a few. Ok maybe a lot. And I'm sure I'm still missing a few.

And then my sweet roommates....Mique, Jessica, Lindsey and Jeannett
and party plane peeps Kelly and Angry Julie...all who I consider forever friends now.

These are all women who get me with regards to blogging. Who think like I do to some extent, who understand why I do what I do. Who also feel the need to write, blog, share. To be vulnerable.

Dr. Brene Brown was the opening keynote speaker {and in Gussy's own word}...YEOW!
She was amazing and she was just what us women bloggers needed to hear.

She taught us some important things. Things like....

Choose being creative over comparing.
Choose rest and play over exhaustion.
Choose to be kind.

We are worthy of love - believe in our own worthiness.

Vulnerability = Fear, Shame + Uncertainty...
but Choosing to Practice Vulnerability = Courage and Strength

And choosing Vulnerability allows us to feel the full spectrum of emotions including...
Love,
Belonging,
Joy,
Authenticity,
Creativity,
Innovation,
Accountability,
Gratitude

It felt so amazing to be validated. To be inspired. To be encouraged. My life is forever changed from this conference with regard to blogging. Forever friendships were made. Here are some of the pictures from my fun week at Blissdom!

Kelly, Mique, Jeannett, Jessica, Lindsey, Kami, Me
Angry Julie & Marie
{photo by Angry Julie}

Kelly texting, Lori, Lindsey, Jessica, me, Ruthanne
{photo by Lisa Leonard}

Alison & Me
{photo by Alison}

Me, Melissa B. Jessica, Ruthanne
{photo by Melissa B.}

Maggie {Gussy}, Me, Lisa Leonard
Two women willing to share their hearts and savvy business skills!

Lori, Kelly, Kami, Me, Jessica, Mique, Lindsey, Jeannett

Me, Mat Kearney, Mique, Michelle Branch, Kelly and some cutie.
{Photo by Angry Julie}

Me + Mique
{photo by Melissa S.}

Thank you new and old friends for making this conference amazing. And, thank you for letting me borrow your pictures. I did not take enough of my own.

Oh...and you say I look tan in all those pictures. I might have gotten a spray tan before leaving that turned orange. Uh-oh. Well it made for some fun jokes!

One more thing....we also learned when you be yourself, you are never in competition with anyone else. I loved this. It came from Melissa from The Inspired Room. It reminded me of this quote that I had made into a 4 x 6 card to hand out to my new friends

I came home with an extra one. I'd love for one of you to have it.
Leave a comment below and I will announce a winner tomorrow!