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

[Sue]

Great Blog. God gave you the talent you have, what could ever be wrong with thanking Him by sharing your faith in Him, and your love for Him. You don't need our approval, you have His, and that's a whole lot more important than anything any of us could say to you. God bless you and your family, and please keep sharing your life with us. Thanks for all you do.

[Julie Bandt]

Shelli, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! I love the fact that you stand by your faith and that GOD is the core of you! If there were more people in this world today with faith and GOD in their lives I don't believe we would be in the mess we are in today. I love coming to your blog you are an inspiration to all women who have the desire to create in their hearts!! Thanks again,
Julie

[Tamarra Corel]

I learned years ago that the few we offend in our journey with God compares very little to the many we inspire. So continue to share yourself in your way. And thanks for a great Blog ~Tamarra

[Samantha]

Your religion has made you the person that you are, and that has driven Stampin' Up to be the company that it is. People should be proud of their faith, and all that it helps them to achieve.

[mary rose]

Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine! My faith is a big part of my blog, too. Let your light shine, Shelli!
mary rose

[Sharon Bridwell]

Wow, I can't imagine anyone being offended of you mentioning your religion. I should hope if anything they'd be happy to hear you mention your faith as it's what has gotten you to where you are today. A very good post and I applaud you for writing it!
Sharon

[Lori]

Shelli, you are so right. You will never be able to please everyone. This is YOUR space to be YOU...and God is a part of you - he's a part of all of us. I think you've done a wonderful job in sharing with us...it is one of the first places I visit every morning with my cup of java :) God bless!

[Crystal]

Shelli,

You're right. You cannot please everyone, even if you try. I personally find it refreshing when people feel free to talk about God & what He's doing in their lives, in a public way. If as a Christian, He is truly the center of our lives (which He should be), then how can we leave Him out?

Thank you for being you and not giving in to the pressure to not say anything at all. Hope that makes sense! LOL

Hugs,
Crystal

[Alicia Weiman]

Shelli,

Just read your post and I don't usually write, just read, and thought, for goodness sake, this is your blog, write what you want! My son is 4 and has cancer and has just relapsed and going through what I have been going through over the past year and a half has really brought my life into perspective. I am religious and even more so now. My mind set has changed so much over the past year and if people aren't wanting to be nice and don't have anything nice to say, I just let it go. I figure that I have more important things to worry about. I say, don't worry about what anyone says that offends them....maybe they shouldn't read your blog then. Noone is making anyone read your blog. I have mine as an escape from reality for a little bit and to share with others that I might not ever meet across the nation. Our son has a caring bridge site and it is similar to blogging and it has been wonderful to have to let people know how things are going with his health. I just wish that everyone could see the brighter side to life and if you don't like something then distance yourself from it or just don't let it bother you. It will make their life a lot less stressful....
Thanks for sharing all of you do. I enjoy reading what you have to share.

Alicia Weiman

[Sandy McManus]

You and your beliefs are part of who you are and you have built up this wonderful company. You have every right to express them as you see fit, especially in blog form. Just as the rest of us do. It is the receivers choice to listen and appreciate different view points from time to time or learn to ignore. We are not coookie cutter humans, nor should we want to be. I have always understood that this is Shelli's blog, not SU! It is So Shelli and very heartfelt at that! I hope you continue to share that part of your life with all of us. If some one or someones are bothered by your beliefs, it is time for them to move on and view another blog.

[Kelly Taylor]

Well, as a member of the church and a demo, I LOVE reading your blog...getting to know you and your family! Thanks for being who you are and sharing your testimony with everyone. You are an inspiration to all!

[J R K]

Wow, the nerve of some people. Why ever on earth would anyone (especially a SU demo) feel the need to express 'concern' about the content of your personal blog? I'm blown away by that. You said it so well, if they want to ignore your blog completely, then they can do that. That was a great comment and I hope they stay away. I love getting to know you more personally through your blog. Keep doing what you do and thanks for sharing aspects of your personal life with us.

[Alexandra Hobson]

That is what a blog is supposed to be - a place for YOU to share about YOU! I read your blog everyday although I don't always comment, but I felt the need to for this entry. Your religion is a part of you - just as most of us have made our religion a part of us. I am glad you share pieces of yourself with us, that you trust in us enough to do so! Please don't stop - many of us are inspired by the things you tell us and how you live your life. I know I am!! I too have a very good relationship with Him, and I am proud to say so. Keep being you!! It's why most of us keep coming back! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

[Sharon]

I am not a religious person at all, but I would never be offended by someone who is...unless they were forcing their opinions on me. I do NOT get that feeling from you at all. On the contrary, your gentle faith is a breath of fresh air. I can appreciate your faith without necessarily adopting it for my own.

[Maureen Stivala]

Shelli - I can only say once again, how gracious you are...you are the epitome and essence of good, and for you to acknowledge and answer to those who feel "entitled" to outrage and offense at religion and wave it around like the flag...well all I can say is that you are a much bigger person than I and I still better work on that in myself..and I also better continue my daily prayer of" Dear Lord, I need your arm around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth." = that would also include my typing fingers! LOL

Please keep being who you are - ALL OF IT - and post however you please!

((()))reen

[Cindy Stokes]

Hi Shelli!
I love the way you have addressed this. I agree with you 100%. I look forward to reading your blog...
I appreciate that you include your faith beliefs. It is what makes you who you are and I love you for it! Keep up the very fun blog!
Cindy

[Cindy Stokes]

Hi Shelli!
I love the way you have addressed this. I agree with you 100%. I look forward to reading your blog...
I appreciate that you include your faith beliefs. It is what makes you who you are and I love you for it! Keep up the very fun blog!
Cindy

[Debbie D.]

I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog, be it business related, or personal. I thought the whole reason for blogging was to share a part of us with those who choose to read. I do not consider myself a religious person, but I do have beliefs, and admire those who feel strongly enough to share theirs. I personally don't feel that you are pushing your faith - just sharing - and isn't that what this is all about.

[Melissa West]

You go right on talking about your faith, You should never apologize for it or be ashamed of it. You were very clear in te beginning that htis is your PERSONAL blog. If peopel do not like the things siad or talked about on here then they should choose not to read it NOT ridicule you for it. I love the fact that Stampin up is a spiritual company even if they don't announce it, you can tell and feel it just by knowing you. GOD BLESS YOU!!

[Adrian]

I think this was a very tactful and professional way to address the subject. As I fellow blogger, I try never to address the subject of what should or shouldn't be on someone else's blog. Blogs are so personal and it's such a way of sharing yourself with the world, that I don't think anyone should be criticized for what they do or don't chose to share.

I've run across blogs with inappropriate language (in my opinion), overly personal (and gross!) details, or opinions on controversial topics. If I don't like something, I just hit that little red X in the corner and move on and that's exactly the way I think it should be. I generally will only leave comments if I have something postive to contribute. It's like the old saying - if you can't say something nice...

And even though I'm not LDS, I am not in the least offended by your expression of your religious beliefs. I think it's very natural and appropriate since that is a big part of your life.

[Stacy]

Shelli -

It is my opinion that if people are offended by anything you have said, they must not see the world through diverse, rainbow colored glasses. Whether your religon is this, or that, it is a big part of many of our lives. Thank you for being true to yourself, and to others who like to hear about differences and find beauty in the traditions of other families.

[Joy Willinger]

I read your blog because I want to know about you. If your religion is a big part of your life, why wouldn't you talk about it. I personally don't know anything about the Mormon religion, I am Jewish, but I enjoy hearing about others religions. It doesn't mean that I have to belielve what you believe, you are just sharing your personal feelings with us.
To be quite honest, if it offends someone then they shouldn't read your blog.

As you say....you can't pelase everyone!
Joy

[Katharine Moore]

I thank God for you and your strength to not conform. You're not telling people they are going to go to hell,repent... you focus on family, positive, encouraging and uplifting aspects in life and that's what makes YOU so special. What drew me to your company is that fact that YOU are very family oriented and YOU have faith and beliefs-even if they are different then mine at least YOU believe. I'm one of many that wish we sold more stamps and rub-ons with scriptures. Since all my stamping ladies are spiritual we have become closer by uplifting and encouraging each other on a regular basis- maybe this is why I have the same group of ladies that meets every other week since I started SU 3 years ago and we're still growing?!
I don't refer to myself as being religious but as spiritual and it's good to know that I represent a company that has an awesome creator!

[Karen Ewert]

Shelli, I love reading your blog because you let us experience who you are in such an honest and sincere way! Your faith is who you are and how you treat others and how you run your company and from what I have experienced and have read on your blog, you are one incredible person! Keep on sharing!

[Laura Davis]

Shelli,
People today are so scared to share because of what people will think of them. I can see some of that, but how sad it is to think that sharing about the One who loves us the most and so unconditionally causes others grief. I would much rather read posts about Him than about war and human caused grief anyday. More than that - thank you for sharing what is so important to you and your life. Having met your daughter, Sara, very briefly, I can see the joy you have passed on to your family. If you can pass that light on to your family - including your SU! family - and share that via your blog, I will continue to read your blog.
All the best - Laura