I’ve spent the greater part of my life allowing external noise and opinion to shape my self- worth. From early years, trusting Alpha girls who felt compelled to drive my fashion sense, to recent times and subjective commentary on job performance, I am at my best when I fight the battle against these impulses and look within for my value.
Thank you Kleinman was birthed from this lesson, another bra-burning, Norma Rae moment in my life when I rose up against outside measuring sticks and put ME out there against the wind.
Several years ago, I took a trip across country with my daughter, who was 9 when we ventured out. The trip was restorative in many ways and reminded me my fellow Americans were basically good people. I wanted to write about the teachings of the road and the many times we both had to face fear and slay it, push outside of comfort zones, rely on experience and faith to shape outcome.
I pitched the idea to a literary agent who had nice things to say about my writing, but not-so-nice advice about the topic. “Why should I care about you and your daughter’s road warrior adventure when I have cancer survivors telling their stories?” His words were impactful enough to cause a familiar dance with self-doubt, but as I’ve aged and learned to spit in its face, I’ve also learned not to give anyone that much power. I took his critique and used it like kryptonite to put this site together, to say what I need to without giving too much credence to how it’s all received. Of course I hope you like it, but I am not looking for agreement or approval. I am looking for the vessel to empty my head of the circus that often ensues after listening to politicians, reading social media, or letting anyone on to my skating rink who holds up a card that doesn’t say “10.”
I thank Kleinman for being that person, for reminding me I don’t write for approval, I write because I have to.
