by AnnSheybani | Aug 25, 2015 | assertiveness, cats, Confidence, Courage, expectations, Fearless Living, identity, leadership, Life, limiting beliefs, role model, self-image, self-sabotage
We have a dog named Edgar whose whole raison d’ etre is to kick cat ass. Unfortunately, we also have two cats. Peanut Butter and Mozart. Peanut Butter is a cat-hater’s cat. He’s got all the swagger of John Wayne, and the cool detachment of Humphrey Bogart. Tail up,...
by AnnSheybani | Aug 3, 2015 | Authenticity, books, Codependency, Confidence, Courage, Cultural Issues, extreem dependency, forgiveness, How to Eat The Elephant, India, Interview, Intimacy, Iran, Life, manipulation, marriage, mistakes, Muslim, Polygamy, reinvention, Remya Warrior, risk, running, Self-acceptance, shame, trapping a man, voice, Writing
One of the benefits of writing a book is the visibility it buys you. Know that saying, build it and they will come? Well, that’s bullshit. After all that hard work, you’ve actually got to get out there and promote the thing if you want readers, and/or...
by AnnSheybani | Jul 20, 2015 | Anne Lamott, Authenticity, Confidence, connection, identity, Life, Reading, Traveling Mercies, vulnerability, Writing, writing lessons
I received this beautiful note last week in response to my newsletter, and I’d like to share it and my response with you. It’s relevant to you writers out there, AND to people-pleasers. Thank you for your raw honesty. Your courage inspires me, seriously....
by AnnSheybani | Jun 15, 2015 | Authenticity, Brene Brown, Confidence, Courage, criticism, dealing with criticism, Mama Gena, Writing
It takes guts to have an opinion. It takes guts to share them with others. To open yourself up to criticism. I don’t care what you say, how innocuous it may seem to you; someone will decide that your opinion makes you a member of Al Qaeda. That’s just how it goes....
by AnnSheybani | Apr 27, 2015 | adventure, Alcoholic rules, climbing lessons, coaching, Confidence, connection, Courage, criticism, Cultural Issues, dealing with criticism, Iran, mountain climbing, risk, Self love, Self-acceptance, Self-Esteem, Writing
When I was young, I had no idea what I thought, felt, or wanted. Pressed for my opinion, I’d make an evasive or sarcastic comment instead of deciding what it was that I thought. I didn’t want to say anything that could be construed the wrong way, or held against me...
by AnnSheybani | Apr 13, 2015 | adventure, Codependency, Confidence, dating, divorce, flirting, husband, Life, love, Muslim, people pleasing, Self love
About ten years ago, I took my first vacation alone, a week-long bike tour in southern France. Despite my years as a traveling salesperson, I’d never liked going to the movies by myself, or eating dinner alone at a restaurant, because I didn’t want to look like a...
