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

[Krista]

Shelli,
I work in the Human Resources field and have to constantly think about how others will intrepet my comments. My HR training has taught me to censor myself on topics like religion and politics, and then I go to church and hear encouragement to teach my co-workers (and others) about Jesus. Very conflicting messages!

As an SU! demo, I have heard from others about your religion and that it plays an important part of your life. As a part of the SU! family, I've seen that you walk the walk when it comes to morals and ethics. Personally, I find it reassuring to know that a company I'm affiliated with has an owner who believes in a higher power and acts accordingly.

I'm enjoying reading your blog and learning more about you. Your life includes not just SU! but also your family, your friends, your hobbies and your religion.

Thanks for this post responding to the people who were concerned about you expressing your religion. More importantly, thanks for standing up for your beliefs!

[Renee' Stabila]

Well said Shelli! I use to be a Demo and I still stamp and read alot of blogs! After the past year that my DH and I had after a severe auto accident, I am very thankful to God for me still being here and my DH! It could have been alot worse! Keep up sharing with us and God Bless you and your sweet family, especially your Dad as he recovers! Best Wishes!

Thanks,
Renee' Stabila

[Jennifer Vander Wekken]

Shelli, I love your blog, it's pretty great, I check it out everyday. As far as you mentioning your church, that doesn't bother me at all! I have come to learn that we aren't all going to agree on things. Although I don't agree with your church on somethings, I don't think you have pushed about it. It's who you are as a person, it's part of you. I accept that we are different people with different opinions and that's okay. I respect you as a person and leader of this wonderful company. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your life no matter how little that part is.

[Sharon]

I love your blog, and everything that it stands for. I feel that if there are things said on your blog, or any other, that someone does not like, then just stay out of it. I look forward to reading about your family, and your religion, so I will return again and again. Keep up the great work, and always know where your strength comes from.
Sharon

[Suzanne]

Well said! Your religious beliefs have contributed to you becoming the wonderful person you are today. I'm glad that you are proud of them and stand firmly behind them.

Suzanne

[Judy S]

Very well said Shelli! Keep on doing what you're doing! I have never been offended by anything that you've said on your blog....quite the opposite. I find your faith inspiring and I just love reading your perspective on life. This is your blog....we read it because we want to hear about you, and obviously your faith is the foundation of who you are. God Bless!

[jennibell]

Shelli,
Thank you for sharing not only the business side of Stampin' Up! with us on this blog, but also your personal life!! It's great to get to know you in a more personal way. Your faith, your religion, makes you who you are. Your blog is PERSONAL and I, for one, am glad that you are chosing to make it your own and not a corporate "script". Please keep blogging in your genuine way!!!

[Mia]

Shelli, You should never have had to appoligize for the comments that YOU post on YOUR BLOG!!!! I find your blog a breath of fresh air. I have noticed that many of the "stamp and scrapbooking blogs" that are on the web talk about things that happen to them,about their family and things that happen at church or things they are doing for church. I have never seen comments on their blogs asking them to stop talking about their religions, SO WHY THEN SHOULD YOU HAVE TO??? You shouldn't have to. I am glad to be part of a company that has MORALS< AND A MORAL COMPASS!! If more people and companies has this the country would not be in such a mess right now. Oh and just one other thought before I close; If I am correct didn't Stamping and scrapbooking become a craze in the early 80's and 90's so that morman familes could keep a record and honor their families and to help them remember their dead. Some of the most popular magazines and products that all of us use have come from companies in UTAH, home of the mormans. I personally am thankful for all of the products that have come about from the "Craze of wanting to remember our history"! Thank you fr all you do and share and keep it up. Hopefully more people will follow your example!!

[Allison F]

Well said! I personally am not religious but respect the opinions and beliefs of others. I have not at all been offended by anything you have said and actually am surprised that anyone has been. You just keep being you and doing the amazing job you have been.

[sara]

Shelli, you are one of the most beautiful, graceful, well spoken woman in business i know. We need more woman of faith like you in our world.

[Erin R.]

I am one of your Pagan demonstrators and wanted to say that I have never been offended by anything that you have posted. Our individual beliefs are what make us who we are and I for one appreciate that you choose to share so much of yourself when you certainly don't have to.

[Beth]

This is your blog and I'm not bothered at all by any mention of religion. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

[Robyn Albee]

I honestly didn't even realize it b/c it is such a vital part of who you are and what you believe, which shapes what you do! It's not like you are pushing conversion on any of us, so I don't see where anyone could get offended???!!?? You keep being you, the person we all love & respect! Thank you for feeling like you needed to clarify, and doing so with such respect for us, your readers! I trust we'll all have a blessed day, no matter our personal beliefs :^)

[Jamie]

I say it is your blog and you have the right to say what you want on it. If someone is offended, then they must step away from the blog and not view it.
Love ya!

[Bonnie]

Apparently I missed the religious aspect to your blog somewhere. I love coming to your blog to read about you, your family, what you are creating. Your blog is wonderful just the way it is.

Keep up the good work.

[Sean Marie Blancaneaux]

Shelli: Please don't ever apologize for expressing your faith. I have seen the love of the Lord over and over and over in this great stamping community. It is absolutely wonderful. My family's "best friend" family when I was growing up was Morman. We used to go to primary on Tuesday night (maybe Thursday?). I also remember their wondeful "family home evenings." At that time, only the boys when on the mission. I remember so clearly when the only son in the family left for two years. I remember him too when the missionaries come to my house in Indiana.

Keep on keeping on -- your blog is wonderful.

blessings,

SMB

[Kate]

Faith is something missing in many americans and it's our right as americans to be able to have a religion.
Organized religions or the basic belief in a higher power is our right. So I say Shelli stay american and practice your faith as you please it is your right.

[kim]

I find your blog very refreshing and never negative and the way things have been in our world, 5 minutes of sunshine is so nice. I will always return to see what is happening in your life. I joined SU just in time to make it to convention this year with a demonstrator I have never met, just visited with, and we met in person at convention.......what an experience, we are life long friends and Shelli that is because of this wonderful company and your values and beliefs. Thank you

[Susan LaCroix]

May God bless those who feel offended by yours or anyone's faith. Keep inspiring us, Shelli! You are awesome!

[Kay Hahn Casler]

Your blog is a highlight of my week. I'm so glad that you started blogging. More are rewarded by your efforts than the few that could be offended. Be who you are; don't be concerned. This situation makes me think of your 'Share a Moment with Shelli' column this month. It is always amazing how differently some people do things, see things, etc. but image how boring it would be if we were all alike.

[Cyndi]

Shelli, you are free to express yourself! While I am not a religious person, I am a spiritual person. You are simply expressing to people how you feel. I read your blog all the time and have never felt intimidated nor offended by your mention of your beliefs. We live in a free society (at least I hope we still do) and part of our freedom is our freedom of religion. Rock on girl!

[Linda Page]

Very well said, Shelli! You are who you are. Religion is a big part of who you are and I believe that you have handled your beliefs admirably in that your beliefs and upbringing have made a definite difference in your company. I have sold everything from Avon to Tupperware, Amway to Arbonne but I have never sold anything for almost 10 years except SU and I would not still be selling it if your morals, beliefs, and values were not a part of SU. While you and I may not belong to the same church, we both have been molded by our religious backgrounds and beliefs and this is what makes us who we are. Take that away and will will not be the same. I find your "editorals" to be honest and uplifting and it is easy to see that it comes from the heart. I very much respect the influence your religious upbringing has had on SU because I believe that is why your company is one of the happiest, most productive companies out there. You be You! Always! That's why we all love you so.

[Kristen Swanson]

Keep up the great work. Shelli people say mean things because they are jealous. Don't let a few rotten apples spoil it. All too often people forget about God and want to take offense towards those that don't.

[Marie]

Shelli: I have been a demonstrator since 1996 and got to spend a few wonderful days with you and fellow demonstrators at a Founder's Circle trip four years ago, in addition to attending several conventions and one regional. I can personally say that you are a wonderful lady and an inpiration to me. I want to be just like you when I grow up. (Hee, hee...I am older than you.)

To make a long story short, I would not be who I am today without SU! and you are the reason SU! is what it is today.

I could go on and on, but the other posts have conveyed my message too...and oh my, what a large amount of readers you have supporting you. :-)

Please don't change a thing about what you write about on YOUR blog. Your blog is refreshing and from the heart. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.

[Heather Wind]

Shelli –
So many of us have commented about how graceful you are. I don’t think there’s a better word to describe you! I too, enjoy reading your blog because I picture you talking to me. I love the small personal touches on your blog- like your including your (secret) family recipes! I recently purchased a book (Where Women Create), just to see what your craft room looks like! I am always impressed by how classy, personal, admirable of a human you are.
Since the blog is a wonderful family journal and inside look, I think it would be quite interesting if you continue your blog the way it is. Ironically, I am neither a religious person nor a spiritual person. For those that know me, I jokingly describe myself as a “recovering catholic”. (I don’t particularly agree with much of the catholic faith.) As a counselor, I work with clients that have many different faiths and have a respect and interest in learning about others, including their faith. There are so many assumptions and assertions made about faith, mostly out of honest lack of knowledge.
I remember a post you left about your family getting “sealed”. It was something foreign to me. You attempted to explain it, but it still seemed confusing. I investigated this a little to get some explanation/knowledge on this. I think it would be nice for you to add on a sentence or 2 of explanation in posts where others, [those who do not follow your faith] may not know anything about the topic. For the other demo’s reading this, I’m not saying you would post to encourage others to join your faith, but subtle explanations so others can understand you better. Just to know where you’re coming from. Others may have the same faith, but we don’t all have the same experiences. We see things in different ways, through our own eyes.
I see that many of the other demo’s visit your blog to learn more about you. I personally love the little insights about you- From your trips, to silly things, to family photos, to project ideas and most importantly your family! You usually share about your family at SU events, so why would this be any different? I like knowing what’s going on with your father getting better. Shanna’s mission work- And the joy you shared with us when little Phoebe was born! It’s the simple things in life that make you a pleasant person, a human who we like to hear from. I hope we can continue seeing what has already been personally established on your blog!
-Heather Wind, Fairfield, OH