My Sole Responsibility

I've heard that a few of our Stampin' Up! demonstrators have expressed some concern that I mention religion on my blog and the blog is linked to the Stampin' Up! site and sometimes mentioned in Stampin' Up! material. I'm not sure if people are offended by my mention of religion, or if they're concerned that I'm mixing personal thoughts and feelings with professional, but I thought this was a subject worth bringing up.

I want to make it very clear that this blog is my personal blog, and I am solely responsible for the content of the blog. Stampin' Up! doesn't endorse my blog or any contents on the blog. While some companies do have "official" blogs, soshelli.com is not an official Stampin' Up! blog at all. It's all mine--good or bad!

I hope it's mostly good. If I've offended anyone by mentioning religion, I'm sorry--that is not my intention at all! My religion is at the heart of everything I am. It's what has made me who I am. I can't imagine sharing anything personal without my beliefs and values being brought up fairly frequently because they are so much a part of me. I've tried to be careful about what I've said; I think I've only mentioned the name of the church I belong to once. Most of the time I talk about my church and my beliefs in general.

I don't want people to feel like I'm preaching or teaching or promoting any specific religion or belief. But if I felt like I couldn't mention general thoughts and feelings about what is such a huge part of me and my life, I don't think I could share much.

I hope that clears up my intent behind talking about things of a religious or spiritual nature. I hope most of you aren't bothered when I mention religion. In fact, one of the things I value when I meet demonstrators is our conversations about our shared faith in God.

I also respect diversity and the fact that some of you may be uncomfortable when I mention religion. It won't bother me at all if you choose not to read those postings, or even choose to ignore my blog altogether. I learned long ago that we can't please everyone all of the time, and that diversity is what adds spice to life!

Comments

[Lydia Fiedler]

It is one of my favorite things about you and the company, and all the demonstrators that I have met,so I certainly hope it continues to be part of our common discussions. I feel priveleged to hear your thoughts on the subject, and it was one of the things I loved so much about Jerry and his addresses at convention. A woman of faith is an inspiration!! Thanks for sharing, as always.

PS - It's your company too. :) I'm happy your "stamp" (hee hee) is on it, as well as the lives and choices of your leadership. It's important to the character of the business and the choices you make for and with us, so no apologies! You are what you do, and what your group and your family do radiate goodness and success, so let it stand for what it is.

Thanks for the candor. Hope you have a good week.

Thanks for regionals - I'm still reading my notes!!

[Alice]

YOU GO GIRL! I love your blog and how it is just like everyone elses personal blog not a business booster blog. All your post just makes me realize (which we all need once in awhile) that we are not alone in the day to day things we deal with and there are others out there who feel the same way we do.

Keep it up! I LOVE BLOGS!

[SHH]

YOU GO, GIRL! Very well said. Even before I finished reading your current post I was thinking, Shelli, this is your personal blog. Yours to discuss whatever you want. No one is forced to read or to agree w/ what you say. Keep on inspiring us all - both creatively and to be better people. Thanks for being true to your faith. Feel free to share more, if you want. It is YOUR blog. And for that matter, SU! is your business.

[Dorothy]

I am so empressed with you Shelli and what Stampin' Up! stands for. I enjoy reading your Blog and I love attending all your events. There is nothing wrong with giving credit where credit is due. After all, with God all things are possible and Stampin' Up! is a perfect example of his creation. Thank you so much for being you.

[Jennifer]

I'm so glad your faith is important and you speak freely about it. I am a very faithful and religious person. I myself am a memeber of a different religion and am not in the least bit offended by your views or comments. If others are offended, then all they need to do is not read your blog.

[Gay Ferland]

Shelli,
Very well said! I love coming to your vlog and reading what you have to say! Keep speaking up!
Gay

[Sue Ring]

Keep going Shelli! You have every right to share whatever you want on your blog. I love hearing how your faith plays a big part in your life. You are so right--you can't please everyone all the time and I'm glad you are not going to change that. You are the BEST!!!

[Stella MacKay]

For many of us, our religion is part of who we are. It's ingrained since birth. I don't share your specific religion as I'm Catholic but I really respect how much your faith entwines in all that you do and say. If you want to talk about your faith on your personal blog, you should feel comfortable doing that all day long. The company should not do that but you, as an individual on your personal blog, can say whatever you want and should not be made to feel weird about it. I'm really sorry to realize that you've heard comments in this regard but I'd ignore them and carry on as usual. You only have to answer for what you do and say to one source and it is not anyone reading your blog, LOL! Or maybe He is...?

[Julie Haupt]

I have run across few SU Demos who didn't have faith and family at the forefront of their lives. I enjoy your blog and the way you share yourself with us. Few CEO's would be as open and giving as you are!

[Brenda]

You go, girl! God is an important part of my life too and we shouldn't deny it!

[Krista Rill]

Shelli,

I admire you for being YOU!!! I also want to say its so refreshing to see and read about your faith. Don't let a few discouraging words deter you from speaking and saying what you feel.

Krista

[luv2remember]

well said, Im new to blogging and have found you blog to be one of my favorites because it is so real and thoughtful. My beliefs are be true to yourself and everything else will fall into place. Keep up the great work and continue to be true to yourself and your beliefs. God blesses us all in many different ways.

[Rhonda]

Shelli,
Please don't change anything about your blog! Nothing has offended me and it appears I am in the majority. I agree, if someone doesn't like your posts they don't have to read them.
Keep up the great work!

[Peg]

I believe that this country was founded on religious freedom. That being said, we continue to defend that freedom to this day. I do wonder why you are being held to a different standard by some. You are actively practicing Stampin' Up's Statement of the Heart. Personally, I enjoy reading your blog, look forward to the updates and appreciate the amount of time and talent that you devote to it. You ARE making a difference.

[Gwynne]

Shelli
God is at the center of my family. I want to hear about your relationship with the Lord, because fellowship together strenghthens all of us in his Word.
God Bless
Gwynne

[Evelyn]

I love your blog and all that you have shared. It's nice to get to know you for the person that you are.

[Keri]

Shelli, I LOVE your blog! That being said, I am offended that everyone things they have the right to NOT be offended. I haven't found anything offensive in your blog. I think our society has gotten away from God and values in general and feel that they have the right to have everything politically correct. I hope you keep writing like you have been. I love seeing real people with real values who aren't afraid to share them with the people around them. Thank you for sharing your work and personal life with us.

[Diane]

I love your blog and wouldn't want you to do anything different.

[Sue Jones]

Shelli,
I love your blog and the fact that you do mention God. I hope you will continue being yourself, because we love you just the way you are. Anyone who does not like that you mention your religion can visit a different blog. Keep blogging girl! I love it!
~Sue~

[Wanda]

Yeaaaaaaaaa Shelli. I love reading your blog and you are so inspirational. Keep it up! Love hearing about your family and your travels.

[Sharon Totton]

Shelli,
It would not be YOUR Blog without YOU. I have really enjoyed your blog and love to learn about you and your family and Stampin'Up, I view it all as one package, you cannot leave out an integral part of that. Please continue just as you have so far. My best wishes to you and all your family and especially your Dad as he continues to heal.

[Marion Dornan]

It's a shame if anyone has been offended. It's your blog and your business, it shouldn't matter what your religious beliefs are.

[Zarna]

In my opinion a life without faith is meaningless, what purpose is there if you aren't moving toward an afterlife.
Although I belong to a church with some differing beliefs to the LDS church I can still respect your faith, and there are certain aspects to the mormon lifestyle that I think many churches are lacking.
You are so obviously family orientated and I think that is a beautiful thing! I also admire that many young people go on missions like your daughter, and while we may disagree on some areas of religion it is a credit to you and Sterling that your daughter cares enough about the world outside her little circle to step out of her comfort zone and as a mother I admire you for that.
There are so many demonstrators that there are always going to be disagreements when it comes to faith & politics, the world would be a boring place if we all thought the same way.
I wouldn't be reading this blog if i didn't want an insight into your life and your faith is such an integral part of you that i won't stop just because your beliefs differ to mine.

[Denise in PA]

Blessings to you, Shelli.

[Selene Kempton]

Shelli ~ I don't believe that you and I are the same religion, but I don't really feel that point matters much. You are an amazing person and that of wonderful moral character and THAT is what matters. It is your belief system that makes you who you are. If you never started the Stampin' Up family, my life would be very different. Being a stay at home mom and full time demonstrator, I have had the opportunity to forge many friendships and touch lives that I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. I have also accomplished more than I could have dreamed for when I first signed up. I am so thankful for you and what you have started. If at the end of my life, I can "go home" and know that I have made a difference in one person's life; that is enough for me. You have touched so many lives. No apologies. Just be you! You're wonderful! (((hugs)))