jen gray

September 27, 2010

The Gifts of Imperfection ~ Brene Brown

perfectionism blows.

In celebration of the release of Brene's new book ~ The Gifts of Imperfection" I am joining her in a Perfect Protest!

Let's face it folks. Trying to be perfect steals us away from who we really are,
it steals away our time, it steals away our relationships, and hey, we never really get there, right? In Brene's new book she so beautifully addresses this topic...

"For many years I believed that being my best self meant trying to be perfect. After studying shame, authenticity, and courage for ten years, I realized that I was wrong. Yes, it took that long. I'm hardheaded and I was very invested in being right. Here's what I learned:

Being our best selves is about cultivating the courage to be vulnerable, authentic, and imperfect. Perfectionism, on the other hand, is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame. It's that simple. Perfection is not about healthy striving or being our best, it's how we protect ourselves.

In the new book, I write, "Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.".. ~Brene Brown

Share with us your own Perfect Protest and share your link HERE!

Posted by jen at 11:57 AM | link |

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September 21, 2010

S.A.W. Fall Session 2010

I cannot think of a better way to have ended my summer...
Thank you Squam Art Workshops for another beautiful time...

*photo by Thea Coughlin

Band Camp Class with Derek and Lauren

****You can see our first live performance HERE!

Flora Bowley's class

dock lounging with Grace, Thea, and Jonatha. (thanks Grace for giving me a reason to jump in the lake!)

Songwriting with Jonatha Brooke

Is there anything these two cant do? Well, they taught this girl how to sew! And that says ALOT!

My new sewing posse!

yeah, New Hampshire aint too shabby!

where Elizabeth and I had our morning coffee, the day before camp :)

Melissa Tutu, Swirly,Thea Coughlin, and Jonatha
love you guys!
see you next year!!!
xo
jen gray

Posted by jen at 11:41 AM   |   link   |

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September 12, 2010

my kind of vegas

this week, i just need to catch the sounds of some loons over a moon-lit lake with the company of really good friends. throw in pine woods, a bonfire, music, art, and a starry sky ~ and well, to me that's vegas, baby.

may you find whatever it is you need during this week as well...

xo
jen

Posted by jen at 05:37 PM   |   link   |

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September 01, 2010

trying. . . .

books. page. shell. desk.

I started to write a really long entry on the subject of being judgmental and an experience I had this past week and blah blah blah... But then I realized I could sum up everything in just a few short words.

And those words are ~

You will find life a whole lot easier
if you can keep in mind
that most people are just trying to do the best they can...

The End.

Posted by jen at 07:15 PM   |   link   |

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