I want to share my story with you that made me feel vulnerable but kind of special. I want to thank Arianna for her inspiring words and response (she visited and gave a speech at Nordic Business Forum 2015 in front of over 5000 attendees). Read the whole correspondence to see what I had to say and comment me if you get something out of all this. I hope you do.
Headline: I enjoyed your speech #NRForum2015, and it got me thinking
"Hey Arianna,
I'm not sure if this email reaches you, hope so. If you're too busy to answer, I totally understand. I just felt the need to write you.
I sat in a crowd listening your story and talking about the change from effectiveness to a meaningful life. This is what struck me. I've always considered myself inferior if I wasn't achieving all the time. Since life hasn't been easy, it's hit me somewhat hard over the past few years. I've never felt content and felt like fading away from the inside, but staying energetic at the surface. This is what's really stressing me out all the time. Not being good enough.
Your kind approach to yourself got me thinking that maybe I need to cut myself some slack. I want to succeed, be happy and DO things without being scared of failing or being worse person that the one next to me. I've suffered from sleep deprivation and on-off depression, but all the time keeping up appearances. Over the last few months I feel like I've gotten my act better and better together, I've been able to sleep, somewhat, and feel like I have my full strength. Not all the time, but there's glimpses of what I could be, and it's awesome. This has to do with the great bunch of people I get to work with now, they really make me happier and gives my work and existence a purpose. I guess I really need that, a sense of purpose. I'm not sure yet what's my main goal, but I know I want to continue to grow, feel comfortable in my own skin and feel that I really appreciate myself.
So, long story short, I've been needing someone to tell and show me that it's okay not to live for others all the time (be online, approachable by everyone etc.). Even though you're not my mom (or for that reason), I believe you when you say "leave your mobile phone out of your bedroom". Some day maybe I can grow to love and appreciate myself truly and be an inspiration to others like you've been to me.
Thank you again for your speech.
Sincerely,
-Marika
Helsinki, Finland"
This is here answer to me and I want to share this with all of you:
"Marika, thank you so much for sharing so personally with me. We would love to feature your story on HuffPost as I think it would resonate with many of our readers. All the best, Arianna"
My face went numb after reading all this. I love interacting with people and this is something I will never forget. This made a huge impact on me, that I get to share my story with all of you guys. The topics are familiar to many of us, wouldn't you agree? Let's give ourselves a slack, won't we.