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 | Mar 2, 2015 | Alcoholic rules, Alcoholism, Authenticity, Betrayal, choosing a mate, confrontation, connection, Courage, dating, dealing with criticism, divorce, Honesty, Life, love, mistakes, passive aggressive, people pleasing, voice, vulnerability
You talk about “people like us” who hide their true selves to be loved and accepted. What about the “what you see is what you get” types who assume others play by those same rules only to be stunned when the resentful manipulator shows his true colors. Same problem...
by AnnSheybani | Oct 3, 2014 | Alcoholic rules, all or nothing, Authenticity, Boundaries, Codependency, confrontation, criticism, dealing with criticism, growing up, Honesty, husband, Life, narcissism, parenting, passive aggressive, people pleasing, personality disorder, rage, The Adult Children of Alcoholics Syndrome, Walt Hampton
Dear Mimi, Thank you for your comment on this Youtube video. You claim that Walt is a 100% narcissist. The thing I’ve noticed about defensiveness, which is what your criticism stirred, is that it always kicks in when I detect an element of truth in what’s...
by AnnSheybani | May 26, 2014 | change, Confidence, Courage, dealing with criticism, expectations, Fearless Living, free will, identity, Life, life transitions, limiting beliefs, Motivation, purpose, reinvention, risk, role model, route finding, Self-Esteem, tenacity, voice, William McRaven
I love this time of year. All those motivating commencement speeches cropping up on the Internet. I can’t remember a single word that was said when I graduated with my B.S. in 1985. I do, however, remember the commencement speech at Harvard when I received my...
by AnnSheybani | May 12, 2014 | Alcoholic rules, Anne Lamott, Authenticity, connection, Courage, criticism, Cultural Issues, culture shock, dealing with criticism, grace, Honesty, identity, Iran, mistakes, Motivation, risk, Self-acceptance, sex, voice, vulnerability, Writing
This week I was asked an interview question that really got me thinking: “Much of your writing is deeply personal and provocative; some of it seems almost intended to shock. Is there a cost for being so forthright?” A lot of us who choose to write memoir or personal...
