tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post1714436872659324576..comments2024-03-20T02:49:17.606-07:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: Looking StupidNatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-57558835255831089442010-08-12T11:18:55.990-07:002010-08-12T11:18:55.990-07:00I feel ya Natalie, I'm the same way about spor...I feel ya Natalie, I'm the same way about sports. Even when people are playing wiffle ball just for fun, I have to force myself to join because I don't think I'm good at them. I don't care if people laugh at me, it's that silence that means "Oh my god she sucks so bad I can't even say anything and why oh why did I pick her from my team?" that kills me.<br /><br />As a result, I also try to be super light and friendly when people are trying stuff that I am good at (like, ummmm, singing the 50 nifty united states song?). It's that whole Golden Rule thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-24400324390236851652010-08-12T10:02:41.950-07:002010-08-12T10:02:41.950-07:00Awesome post. And for the record, everyone, she d...Awesome post. And for the record, everyone, she didn't look stupid. She looked pretty awesome out there. And I was grinning like a proud mother. :)Kasie Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14169629001145903361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-64407752946206814082010-08-11T21:08:49.090-07:002010-08-11T21:08:49.090-07:00I love this post, Natalie, thank you. It's a g...I love this post, Natalie, thank you. It's a good reminder to be gentle not only with ourselves but with others. Trying anything new takes a lot of courage and strength. It sounds like you had a lot of fun!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-19905022349950234102010-08-11T20:43:26.753-07:002010-08-11T20:43:26.753-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-52802188429913740422010-08-11T20:11:23.546-07:002010-08-11T20:11:23.546-07:00Dude, wakeboarding is tough. I never was able to ...Dude, wakeboarding is tough. I never was able to get up either.<br /><br />Excellent post.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-51803476769877309482010-08-11T18:59:21.437-07:002010-08-11T18:59:21.437-07:00"So what if someone is brand new to writing, ...<i>"So what if someone is brand new to writing, blogging, drawing, running, cooking, etc? Does that give us a right to laugh at their mistakes—some of the same mistakes we've made on our journeys?"</i><br /><br />I see that a lot on the internet. I've done it. I think it's the whole human comparison thing--the desire to prove that we're not on the bottom by pointing out those who are.<br /><br />I mean, when I read a query making rookie mistakes, I want to laugh at how "stupid" it is...completely forgetting that I made all those mistakes myself at one point.<br /><br />Maybe, too, it's a way to get a kind of pathetic revenge on those who laughed at us? Whatever it is, you've reminded me to stop.Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-34212894742906516322010-08-11T18:55:45.671-07:002010-08-11T18:55:45.671-07:00I think everyone's afraid of looking stupid, t...I think everyone's afraid of looking stupid, to a greater or lesser extent. I know I am--not paralyzingly so, but enough that I prefer to try new things in private. Or with complete strangers who I know I'm never going to see or talk to again.<br /><br />What I think we all tend to forget is that, though there are some people who laugh when you fall, most people <i>do</i> remember what being a n00b was like. I know I do in a lot of areas (unfortunately.)Escribladorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02914062410809833119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-57060218051867433602010-08-11T18:48:04.049-07:002010-08-11T18:48:04.049-07:00Definitely! At least with writing, you can hide yo...Definitely! At least with writing, you can hide your first couple tries though. :) <br /><br />I think fear of falling flat may have stopped many a potential author from finishing a book.Claire Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354840714847021685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-22611304590730851782010-08-11T17:04:08.148-07:002010-08-11T17:04:08.148-07:00Hi Natalie! I've been reading your blog for a ...Hi Natalie! I've been reading your blog for a while now - I love your posts!<br /><br />I just started blogging about a week ago. And to be honest, I've written several posts without telling anyone about it for fear of just that - maybe people will think it's dumb, or I'll make some glaring error that all you veteran bloggers know about. <br /><br />But today I did the terrifying - I sent the link to my friends. It was definitely scary to put myself out there. But they loved it! They were so encouraging, and also gave good advice about what works and what doesn't. It's really not about whether you look stupid or not; it's about whether you try or not. <br /><br />Thanks for the uplift!Bess Weatherbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09873091527596352004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-14474271809467537812010-08-11T15:30:31.372-07:002010-08-11T15:30:31.372-07:00I SO identify with this! I always tell people tha...I SO identify with this! I always tell people that I'm shy, but I think a large part of it is not wanting to look or sound stupid. But I am learning that most people are much nicer than I give them credit for and they're not thinking the nasty things I think they are:) (Do I sound stupid for saying that?)Ruth Jossehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08664678990038670303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-78539705377316002002010-08-11T14:20:25.300-07:002010-08-11T14:20:25.300-07:00Excellent! I think everyone from kids to us "...Excellent! I think everyone from kids to us "older adults" needs to read this. I remember back when I was a teenager (when I ran with dinosaurs and wrote my stories on stone tablets) that I was afraid to do anything, afraid that I'd be laughed at and made a fool of. But as you said, everyone is a beginner at something, one time or another, and secondly this is how we grow. We can't let our fears paralyze us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-30584985478321399702010-08-11T13:06:32.716-07:002010-08-11T13:06:32.716-07:00Define stupid is the attitude I began when I found...Define stupid is the attitude I began when I found out public speaking would be in my life once a week bi-monthly for a whole year and I had no choice in the matter. It's weird what you think others will see as stupid instead others think you're brave/cool/etc. for doing.<br /><br />Bravo to the people like Kasie and Jared who know how to give the right boost. So hard to know you're messing up but not feel stupid.Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-1506119733610985862010-08-11T12:26:11.927-07:002010-08-11T12:26:11.927-07:00What a great attitude to have! I was the same as a...What a great attitude to have! I was the same as a teen, avoiding looking stupid at all costs. But I see now how limiting that is, and how many potentially eye-opening experiences I missed out on. <br /><br />Good post!Tere Kirklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562750950130316280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-2976087546206147872010-08-11T11:42:59.964-07:002010-08-11T11:42:59.964-07:00Yes, let's cheer on the beginners.
I'm le...Yes, let's cheer on the beginners.<br /><br />I'm learning clarinet and two things have helped me. One is that I find it really funny when I mess up - which was all the time at first. Mind you, it's even harder to play clarinet when you're laughing your head off.<br /><br />The other help are my family, who tell me I'm doing great and I'm improving - even when all they could say at first was "Wow, you made it make a noise!" (Yes, I was that bad when I started.)<br /><br />I'm glad you had fun and had a go. I love your posts.fairyhedgehoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141089706966852951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-10947524022431366072010-08-11T11:37:02.705-07:002010-08-11T11:37:02.705-07:00What a great post - thanks for being willing to sh...What a great post - thanks for being willing to share your stumbles - this reminded me of the principle of deliberate or deep practice.<br /><br />http://smashingstories.blogspot.com/2010/08/deliberate-practice.htmlScott Liv.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06214223351581211805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-58305575076440889782010-08-11T11:35:08.475-07:002010-08-11T11:35:08.475-07:00This is a hard pill to swallow. I have to admit I ...This is a hard pill to swallow. I have to admit I am very much the same way now, afraid to try new things because of how stupid I'll look. But you're right! Everyone starts off as a beginner and some of us take a little longer than others to get it right. <br /><br />And ditto to what Kristan said--you already encourage and teach and help so much already! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-3968046566042868442010-08-11T11:34:09.322-07:002010-08-11T11:34:09.322-07:00I've never tried to ski or wakeboard either, a...I've never tried to ski or wakeboard either, and I'm 35 and have lived my entire life around lakes. I also never raised my hand in class even when I knew the answer. I REALLY wanted to, but just couldn't make myself do it.<br /><br />I let my friend read some of my WIP, but even though she was very encouraging I haven't let her (or anyone else) read any more of it. I would hate to showcase how unskilled I really am. <br /><br />I love your posts, BTW! Thanks for sharing with us!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09742510911858733787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-13863325622497886732010-08-11T11:08:37.449-07:002010-08-11T11:08:37.449-07:00Exactly! I mean, LeBron couldn't always shoot ...Exactly! I mean, LeBron couldn't always shoot a 3-pointer, right? He was a tiny kid in giant shoes with two left hands at some point, too. And now look at 'im!<br /><br />You have such a beautiful attitude, Natalie. And you ARE a teacher, an encourage-r, a helper. Thank you. <br /><br />And props for trying wakeboarding!Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.com