…That is the question.

When I first began this blog, I followed a wonderful blog written by Kathy Sierra. It was called Creating Passionate Users, and had the most amazingly creative articles I’d ever seen. And then something happened to her I could hardly believe. She was viciously attacked, threatened, and harassed, to the point she had to shut down the blog. I still find it difficult to understand why the people behind it would do this. To be honest, it really scared me. I’m by nature a pretty cautious person, so I was very reluctant to share personal information on my blog anyway. What happened to Kathy served to reinforce this decision. Something equally awful could really happen to anyone.

But now I keep hearing about the importance of sharing your own personal story. I was touched when I watched Brene Brown’s TED Talk on being authentic. People want to connect with real people, who are authentically being themselves. My friend Phil Gerbyshak wrote about this in an article about advice he received: “Be More You” at Speakermagazine.com. Has the time come to come forth, be brave and be me?

As I worked on developing a story for creating a movement to build strengths through personal development, I channeled a character named Arty. She is very strong, a little bit of a rebel, and courageously fights against the forces that are robbing the earth of light. She is the person I’d like to be, the alter-ego to my real life Clark Kent persona of mild mannered former librarian. So here, in an unprecedented leap of faith and act of bravery, is the first ever photo on this blog of the real me-Rosemary Rice. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for being here.

Be You Part Deux

Some time ago my local newspaper did a survey asking readers what they liked best about the paper. I was surprised to discover that my responses were nothing at all like the majority. That was one of my first clues that I was just a little, well, different.

Then there was the time when my co-workers convinced me to join their team for Walk Kansas. Walking was something I frequently did and enjoyed, so I thought “why not?” I quickly discovered because I *had* to do it, all the joy was completely sucked out of it! I think that’s why I have never taken dancing lessons. I like to dance, but I like to do it my own way. So I actually do have that subtle streak of rebelliousness in me.

Gretchen Rubin discovers during her Happiness Project, that what’s right for her is different than what’s right for lots of other people. And that’s okay. “Be Gretchen” she says. Be You. And I’ll be me. Our differences are what makes the world an interesting place.

To stand out, is to be a little bit different in your own unique way. Unless you want to be “Just Another Girl.” (or guy). The answer is yes…be you, the best you, the most authentic you.