Thursday, September 6, 2012

Brag away, I'm thrilled for you!

Recently I saw read an article in the Wall Street Journal, "Are We All Braggarts Now?" that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. 

It starts like this:
Friends, family and co-workers: I think you're fabulous—just not quite as fabulous as you think you are.
The gist of the article is that the Internet, especially social media sites, has given us a global audience and the author feels that tooting one's own horn has gotten out of control.  Her premise is that bragging is "harmful to our relationships because it turns people off."
People brag for all sorts of reasons, Julie Hanks, a licensed clinical social worker who has a therapy clinic in Salt Lake City, says: to appear worthy of attention or love or to try and cover up our deepest insecurities. To prove to ourselves that we're OK, that people from our past who said we wouldn't measure up were wrong. Or simply because we're excited when good things happen to us.
Oh, for Christsake.  Most of that is bullshit, and regarding the last sentence, what the hell is wrong with sharing your excitement when something good happens?  I have so many friends who are struggling with health issues, disappointments in the job search and other challenges in life, believe me--I am absolutely THRILLED to see good things happen to people! 

During every meeting of the Henderson Writers Group, we set time aside for people to share their brags.  Why? Because writing is tough, selling a magazine article is tough, getting a book published is tough, marketing a book is tough... and when someone finally catches a break or gets a few steps closer while going for the gold, we're all happy.  Because their achievement tells us it can be done.  So we hang in there.

I admit I may be the biggest bragger alive.  If you've been following this blog or have friended me on Facebook, that's not exactly a newsflash.  I freely share my accomplishments and happy approach to life with the hope that you'll be motivated to make the most of your life as well.  And if I can do it, so can you.  I'm not that special. 

Has my bragging harmed my relationships or turned people off? Maybe I'll never know.  I don't get the feeling that people are just waiting for the perfect moment to take me aside and tell me to lay off the self-importance already. I seem to be blessed with more loving friends than I ever imagined.

The subtitle on the article is "Boasting Epidemic Goes Viral; Crowing Boosts Self Esteem but It's Annoying."  Not to me.  We're all in this together.  Your victory is my victory; my victory is yours.  Please, I beg of you, brag away!!! 

Leave your brag as a comment right here.  Don't be shy--share your joy so we can all be joyous!


16 comments:

Tara said...

I <3 your bragging... And everyone loves my rants and raves... If they don't like it, they don't need to be my "friend". I know that every day when I say something off the wall, at least one person smiles when they read it. That makes me happy!!

Vegas Linda Lou said...

Agree, grrouchie! Now, what is your brag?

Vegas Linda Lou said...

Tara, I LOVE your rants! I feel the same way--everyone is free to be my friend, or not.

Anonymous said...

I'm no expert, but sometimes therapist go into the business so they can figure out what is wrong with themselves... I think the article's author needs to see a shrink...

Camille

Kellee said...

I don't think of it as bragging, it's sharing good news. Life is filled with the good, bad, and ugly. Why shouldn't we celebrate the good stuff? Joy should be shared. Hell, shout it from the rooftop. If we all focused more on the good in life, I think we'd all be a bit more pleasant.

WSJ can suggest we be all woe is me. But my life is effing fantastic. I am not apologizing for it. No one should.

Debi Drecksler said...

I can eat one m&m and stop!
I have the biggest tush in N.C.
I am almost as sexy as Linda Lou
I made some CUTE babies!
Oh yeah!!!!!!

Cousin Laurie said...

Hahaha! Love it! I mean yesterday when I was jetsetting around New Zealand, having my expensive wine in the luxury business class lounge at the airport, even the Prime Minister of Australia and I had a laugh about how important we are. But Brad, Angelina, and Johnnie D. were sitting off in the corner...just keeping to themselves. I mean really...do they think they are more special then me?!?! (And yes...this WAS my day yesterday...not to brag or anything...)

raydenzel1 said...

I passed my test! Yep I am bragging!!

Vegas Linda Lou said...

@ Cassie: I was wondering if maybe the author has an issue with low self-esteem and that's why she can't bear to hear about the successes of others.

@ Kellee: Agree! And I'm happy that your life is fantastic.

@ Debi: Oh, you're twice as sexy as I am!

@ Cousin Laurie: WOW! What a life! And people should know that you began this glamorous new career at age 51! Yay for you!!!

@ R Jacob: Congratulations, Ray! Another person starting a new career! All the best to you.

lightning36 said...

I think of bragging as belonging more to the younger crowd. Once people have gotten to a "mature" age, that kind of notion is almost gone ... in most of us.

When friends or just anyone shares positive news? Fantastic!

Some people prefer to see life through a prism of envy, resentment and negativity. Fuck 'em.

Memphis MOJO said...

Has my bragging harmed my relationships

And if it has, who gives a shit. That relationship didn't mean much anyway.

Vegas Linda Lou said...

@ lightning36: Envy--so stupid. The universe is abundant.

@MemphisMOJO: No kidding!

elbee309 said...

One thing (among many) that I do brag about is that I can list as one of my many treasured friends a real Las Vegas stand-up comedian and published author who brings laughter into my life.

Vegas Linda Lou said...

elbee309, thank you so much! I only wish I recognize your handle. XOXO

Vegas Linda Lou said...

Oh, now I know! Thank you, Linda!

Carmel said...

I have a great rack. That's my brag for today.