The Launch - It's Official!
It’s done, it’s here, we’ve launched! What a happy, joyful, relieving moment! I am still struggling with the “self-promotion” that goes into touting your own book. I hear voices from my childhood village saying things like, “Pride goeth before a fall,” or “Don’t toot your own horn,” and finally, “be careful, you’ll break your arm patting yourself on the back!” All these random bits swirl around even while I get it – if I don’t talk about my book, who will?
When we have done something, especially pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone, we need to muster the courage to talk, maybe even shout about the thing we have done or created. Waiting for others to affirm our good works and value is rather futile. Most people are interested in themselves rather than others. When genuine friends say they are proud of my accomplishments or brag to others about my book, I am touched. I am learning to say thank you and accept what they say without dismissing or negating their compliment. Many of us struggle with hearing good things about ourselves. So for today, practice embracing and even seeking out the things others appreciate about you. It makes us more aware and better.
Thinking of what I should write today, I decided to start where I did at the book launch. I asked the question of myself that others have asked, “WHY a book” and “WHY this book?” Great questions. For me writing a book was a very low priority. I am a speaker. I see myself - as one audience participant said – “Lady you are a mighty fine talker!” I also know that it is a rare thing for someone who lives in a speaker’s world to also live in a writer’s world. Over the years, reading many books, it becomes easy to identify truly great writing. It is also apparent when writing talent is barely present. One challenge is the discipline necessary to write. Another, the willingness to accept constructive feedback, even if a favorite story gets deleted. Finally, overcoming the vulnerability to put your words out into the world for others to dissect became very visceral.
SO---why did I write a book? In recent years, highly valued people; people that are part of my invisible board of director – aka ‘on my bus,’ have challenged me to write. I put those words on my bucket list. Things to do before I kick the bucket! it is a good thing to break status quo and do some of the things that scare the crap out of yourself. My personal coach kept pushing me to write, to buy writing books, to start recording my experiences and share them with others. A professor told me I needed to write, but to not write ‘scholarly’ as there were plenty of people writing scholarly, instead write stories as I have experienced them. Another compelling reason, once you become a stage speaker, people want to take with them a little piece of the day and of you – to share with friends and family. Over my many years of speaking, I’ve been repeatedly asked to have books for purchase at the events. So---Here it is! Lastly, while there are limitations to the amount of people can attend a speaking event, there are few limitations to reading a book. Inspiring people to connect to the heart of compassionate care is my ultimate reason.