I am always delighted, and usually surprised, when people tell me that they read my blog.  I don’t “expect” anyone to read it; I rarely tell people I write it.  So I was surprised when a new colleague stopped me in the hall on Friday to tell me how much she is enjoying my blog.  She was going into a meeting and added over her shoulder, “You are courageous.”

Some people have said I am a good writer or that some of the things I say strike a cord with them.  But “courageous”?

I had been in a couple of meetings with this woman.  Considerably younger than I am (Isn’t everyone?), I remember thinking that it would be nice to get to know her better.  She certainly has gotten to “know” me better.

Later that day, I saw her again when I passed by her office on the way to another meeting.  She elaborated a bit on her comment.  She said she meant that I “put myself out there” with all my vulnerabilities on display.  To her that is courageous. 

I assured her that all my vulnerabilities are not on display—there are some things I don’t share—at least not yet.  I thanked her for reading my blog and went off to my meeting.

Courageous.  It has a nice ring to it.