That's not my name!

I don't know about you, but my name matters to me. It's about how I perceive myself, introduce myself, and an important part of my identity. Given to me by my parents, a name with a special meaning, they'd wanted me to have.  It's been following me for many years and I've heard it in many different ways: with an american, french or norwegian accent... spoken in anger, shouted out in joy, whispered softly in adoration. No matter how it is uttered, it still acknowledges me and my existence. Sometimes people call me other names: "Hey you", "Sweetheart", "Creative chick" or "Bitch". Those names only describe people's opinion about me or the role they'd like me to have,  and I shouldn't care... but it's so easy to be affected by those names, clinging to me like lables or judgments... I don't want to be called names, I want to be ME!

                                                                            "That's not my name" by The Ting Tings...

So what about it? Next time you'd like to address someone, how about using their name? 'Cause you know... in doing so, you acknowledge their existence and you might just find the way to their heart, instead of making them feel like another anonymous nobody?

A change of scenery

This day started like any other day at the office: lots of assignments, stuck inside a small office with bad air and no possibilities to vent. I could've felt very sorry for myself, especially after a quick glance out of the window, noticing people going for a stroll along the riverside without wintergear. Instead of moaning, I decided to do the same in my lunchbreak. What a great experience: I felt the sun on my face and the wind blowing through my hair, heard birds sing and people laugh, saw smiling faces and sunlight reflected in the windows of the officebuilding. Well, I forgot to eat, but at least my senses where nourished by a simple change of scenery! 

Reflections, Union Scene, Drammen (Photo: Jeanine Bruun)

  

Don't be nice, be real!

Who would have thought I'd be sitting here, blogging away? My boyfriend may faint -after all, he's more cautious in using social media- , the kids might be embarrased "Duh!" and my boss may be shocked... Should their opinions stop me from doing something I like, for the rest of my life -and who knows how long that will last-? Maybe it's about time I do something I want , without worrying about other people's opinions?

Today I had a quick bite with an inspiring, norwegian leader and author, Kai Roer. He challenged me, when I told him about my childhood dreams to be an author. "So? Why don't you just do it?" I glanced at him, my fork with crispy salat in midair, "Well.... " - I stuttered, lost for words- ... "Being a single mom, having responsibilities.... need a stable income in order to take care of the kids?" He didn't pat my head or offer me comfort... instead he went straight to the point "It's about time you stop making excuses and rather find reasons for doing what you love to do!" -ouch-

So, here I am: an urban, single mom in mid-40's, doing what I love to do: writing, sharing my thoughts, experiences and observations on life. Yes, I'm taking a chance, I might fail, but I will learn, rise up and try again. You might find me boring, you might get irritated, you might wish I'd never ever started. But you know what? That's ok, 'cause I might even inspire you to do something you'd love to do, but didn't, simply because someone critized you. So? What are you waiting for? Go for it and pursue your dreams! After all, what have you got to loose?

Don't be nice, be real!