What are my Three Words?

During the 4.13.19 gathering of #734IGLIVE (live on Instagram every Saturday at 7:34 a.m. CT) we talked a lot about words. Not the word we were using to speak with, but the words that define us. What are those words that drive you? That inspire you? That are the pillars supporting you each and every day?

I haven't been able to shake this conversation. It's self-reflection and that's hard. I feel like I'm always redefining myself. Or trying to, maybe. I'm quick to be inspired. Be influenced. To emulate. I'm quick to take on the skills of others because I know I can. Their success inspires me and I want it.

Dang, that's a terrible thing to say. Isn't it?

I started to write my three words based on my life story, as instructed. The first word I wrote was restless. Not a good way to start, huh? I then wrote teacher, social, insecure, emotional, and weak. Well, two pillars out of six isn't bad, is it?

Maybe this is why I haven't been able to shake The conversation. Maybe it's because even at 51 I feel like I'm still trying to figure myself out. Identify my strengths. Determine the value I bring to the people around me. To my job.

Taylor Siebert (@taylorsiebert), host of the podcast Taylor Talks. serve. work. connect. (available on Anchor), defines his pillars by those three strong and determined words that, and the short amount of time I've come to know him, are absolutely him.

Davidson Academy, located in Nashville, Tennessee, where my son is a junior and I work, stands on the pillars Be. Build. Become. to define the path that it’s students take through their journey not just at school but in life.

So, what are my pillars? My verbs?

Teach. I have found myself in the position to guide and inspire others over the last 10 years, and I find that I really have a passion for it. Whether inspiring adults as a leader with Weight Watchers, guiding my son through his BSA Scout requirements, leading a Myasthenia Gravis support group, or teaching students online personal branding safety and skills to use in the ever-changing world of social media, I love to teach. That's a pretty exciting feeling and how I want to continue to serve others.

Communicate. For as long as I can remember, this has been my mission in life - to tell stories. To tell others’ stories. To inform. I want to bring joy to others with the things I see. It's why I have embraced social media as I have these last 10 years; I am a storyteller.

[TBD]. There are 171,476 current words in use in the English language and I can't come up with a word to define my third pillar. Am I really that self-absorbed that I can't think of three honest, positive, and strong words to define my mission? My purpose? My why?

So, the self-reflection continues. I'll let you know when I know.

In the famous words of Winnie the Pooh, “Think, think, think.”

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