Recently I scanned portions of the highly popular book Lean In, written by Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook who is listed on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. I liked what she had to say a lot more than I expected. After all, if you are going to give 8-10 hours a day to your career, shouldn’t you be fully engaged? Shouldn’t you make sure your good ideas are heard, and that your intelligence shows?
I say yes, and so I recommend the book to women still in the corporate world who want to get rid of internal barriers and fully and confidently engage in their work. I can recommend the book because Ms. Sandberg also wisely dispels the myth that women can have it all at once. Make your choices, ladies. If you choose to work in the corporate world, take a place at the table, speak up, and lean in.
What I realized after scanning this book, however, is how grateful I am not to have to do the corporate leaning in thing anymore. The older you are, the clearer your view of what matters in life. That sort of leaning in was important for a season, yes, but I now have more important reasons to lean in.
For instance, I lean in to hear what my husband is saying to me in a crowded restaurant. What if it’s a term of endearment I miss? It’s not enough to nod and smile at him across the table. I want to really know what he thinks, feels, and wants to express at this time in our life together. So I lean in.
I also don’t want to miss an opportunity to stoop down and lean in to the tear-stained face of a child who is upset by one of life’s injustices. What could be more valuable than helping that little soul feel heard, even if the injustice simply can’t be rectified? So I lean in.
Staying physically strong is vital to finishing strong in life, so I walk around our hilly neighborhood. I often laugh to myself when I remember the advice of running guru Jim Fixx, who said that when you are going up a hill you should lean in and pretend you are a tiger on all fours! I don’t feel much like a tiger, but I lean in and keep going, no matter how steep the slope.
Once I started thinking about good reasons to lean in, the list just kept growing! Lean in to smell the flowers and breathe deeply. Lean in to an infant carrier and admire a newborn. Lean in to share a prayer with an elderly friend. And of course, as the old hymn says, there’s joy and comfort in doing all this while leaning on the everlasting arms of God. Life is precious. Let’s all lean in and live it fully!
Nancy Parker Brummett
Author Writer Speaker
Wise words as usual.
Thanks, Sue! I love that you’re a subscriber. :}
i too liked her book!
i too like the applications you, dear friend,
apply to everyday life
Did you read it all? I truly just scanned it but liked what I read. Thanks!
I love your last paragraph, Nancy.
Thanks, Betty. You can probably relate to this. That was the whole inspiration–to compare the book on leaning in to leaning on the everlasting arms of God. But I got so tangled up formatting the blog on my new computer I almost forgot to write the last paragraph! God is good.
Nancy, this is another excellent post.
The older I get, the more important it becomes to “lean in” to my husband, our daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, neighbors, family and friends…and especially, patiently and tenderly, to lean in for our parents and friends struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia, strokes, cancer and depression.
It’s not enough to call or visit; it is the “leaning in” (physically, emotionally, spiritually) that truly makes the difference.
Thanks, Marylin. You are so right. We seem to be leaning in the same direction!
Nancy as I read your article –I thought how I would love to lean in to hear something from my husband for he still cannot speak from the stroke a year ago. We just went to a Herrold reunion last week and my neice has a 6 month old boy and as I leaned into him and nuzzled his neck he smiled and giggled–what a joy!! I took him from his mama as often as I could to give her a break and give me a little one to have for a bit.
Bernice. So sorry to hear your husband still can’t speak but how wonderful you made the reunion.
I don’t always comment but always enjoy the read. I just heard from a fellow high school debater, “I’m lucky: in many ways, I have not worked a day in my life.” His career has been a Jurisprudence Professor at Chapman University. What an inspiration those words would be to any graduating class.
Thanks, Cheryl. Yes, they always say if you are blessed to do something you love it will never feel like work!
Most excellent, Nancy. Love it! What poignant examples of ways to lean in.
THANK YOU!!
Thanks for commenting, Beth. I thought about your leaning tree photo when I was writing this.
Thank you Nancy. Your message are always what I need to see a brighter world around me.
Love,
Carol
Thanks, Carol. You just brightened MY world! 🙂