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!