A Hard Reset and Fresh Install … personal edition
Even though I have a Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling, it didn’t equip me with objectivity about myself. I have stuff from my childhood and teenage years that I brought to my adult life and marriage that I used as an excuse to be shy and self-loathing. None of my personal baggage is big enough that it would have been that hard to overcome, but I’ve still allowed it to cripple me socially.
I’ve been reaching out to a handful of friends, and I started personal counseling this past week. I’ve learned a lot and had some breakthroughs that have allowed me to come outside my head for the first time in a long time.
I grew up listening to gospel music and always liked those songs about laying down burdens and moving on, but never really took them to heart. It turns out, it’s a lot less hard than I thought it would be.
I gave up alcohol at the end of last year and it’s just been amazing how quickly years of missing joy rushed back into my life. I buried all the baggage I carried in drinking at night and obsession about doing a great job with GeekBrief.TV during the day. I can’t exactly give up work, but I am taking a couple of weeks off. Except for helping out with the writing, Cali and Dave Curlee are taking up the slack so I have the opportunity to perform a hard reset on my internal OS.
Last night, I went with social media guru, Giovanni Gallucci to hear a guy I admire so much in the world of new and social media, Chris Brogan. It was my second time to hear him speak. The first time, I walked away inspired to think about what he said. The second time I walked away inspired to do what he said. His message is pretty simple: do things for people without any expectation they’ll do anything in return for you. In two words … BE NICE!
So here’s my question for anyone who reads this. As I take time off work to reset, what can I do for you?
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Get better and back to GeekBrief.
Really, you can help me by sharing more of your conservative values tweets. They give me hope about the future of this country. Thanks.
The weird MJ love thing was just creepy though.
Neal,
Chris definitely gave a good talk last night. Personally, I’d like to know, what do you enjoy doing most?
Wouldn’t mind crossing paths in person a little more often too. Always enjoy our chats, however brief they may be.
Really Neal, your writing and tweeting is a big favor to us.
Was doing geekbrief.tv your dream?
I’d love to know how to reproduce the geekbrief miracle someday.
Neal,
I’m so glad to hear that you’re taking time for yourself. It’s easy to let other things take over and forget how important it is to do what you can to make your own life a good thing to be living.
Jess
Only a true geek would come up with a title & plan like this. Knowing you… makes me sure that your hard reset and fresh install will inspire many of us.
And IMHO the only hope for a new beginning is in Christ Jesus. I am reminded of this verse: “If any man is in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away, behold all things become new”
And the verse that says that “He is more than able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we could ever ask or think according to the power that works in us.. this is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.”
“There is nothing too hard for Him”
Love you brother… and I love my entire GeekBrief.TV family.
Neal, I have often been critical of you in the past but in your last line you asked what can you do for me. One thing sir and one thing only, above all, and before anything else, take care of yourself.
Neal, sometimes finding the problem is 90% of the solution. So, it sounds like you are on the right track. Take all the time you need. Remember that everything will be right where you left it when you get back! You are the most important person you know. Not in a self centered way. But, you cannot do for anyone until you take care of yourself. We’ll miss your quick run throughs on GeekBrief!
Neal,
Just continue to be open about your growth and healing. The more I hear from people who are working on themselves, the more tools I have to grow, myself.
A good, godly friend told me, just as I was starting my own counseling a few years ago, that a big part of healing comes when you do good things for others. It gets you out of yourself, and it gives you positive feelings. That dovetails nicely with what you’re talking about, too.
Blessings,
-T.C.
hey neal,
thinking about taking the travel channel academy video class. your thoughts? was it worth it?
@KEITH PARSONS – I was over-mourning. I tend to do that.
@SCOTT ELLIS – Let’s have lunch.
@SHAMIR KATSU – answered here: http://bit.ly/gbtvstory
@SHANNON – Yes! Go! The Travel Channel Academy was one of the best experiences of my life.
We love you Neal and are praying that as you reset your internal OS, that God gives you clarity of mind, and resets your JOY button. We absolutely love you to pieces and I admire you for seeing that you needed to take some time to get things right. Love ya!!