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Shelly McNamara

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Build Connections That Heal the World.

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Poems
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Jump to: Along the Edges | Better Together | Choose Love | Level Set | Walls

Along the Edges

I have learned that there is beauty along the edges -- in those places where I have not been before. Conversation with the unexpected, the sidelined, or those so readily excluded by most. I live on the edges – the edge of privilege in my life as a corporate executive – and on the edge of exclusion as an openly gay woman, life partner, and mother of 3 daughters. I have found deep insight along these edges. Deep insight that is rarely born out of privilege. Where do you find your deep insight?

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On the Edges

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Deep Insight

Better Together

I believe that we are better together – when I accept who you are, and how you have come to be. When I accept your choices, and you accept mine. When we find ways to cross the “divides” that lay between us and speak words of love that connect us. The divides were built by the fear, pain, and judgment it’s now time to release. We are better together. How will you cross the divide?

New Zealand Sq

Love Calls Us Together

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Why Have We Come To Be?

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Making Choices

Choose Love

I believe that love is the only thing we come into this world with, and the only thing we take with us when we exit. Everything else is borrowed and returned. Love is the most powerful force we have. It has the power to heal, connect, and create. Love has no boundaries, or the need to judge anyone as “better than” or “less than.” I choose love. I encourage you to do the same.

Fathers Shoes

Regret

A Letter to my Daughters

A Letter To My Daughters

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Peering In From Without

shelly-marylou

We Are All Connected

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I Regret

Level Set

I have lived in the space of freedom, respect, and equality for all. The place where who I am, and all that I offer is embraced and valued, equally to those around me. I have also experienced the absence. I believe that too often we limit ourselves. We limit our relationships. We limit our lives. We create artificial lines, labels, and lies. These boundaries keep us in a place of judgment and fear, and compel us to build a culture of “better than” and “less- than.” “Why not Level Set?” See each other as different, but equally magnificent. What will it take for you to Level Set?

AliceMarsland

No Blanks, No Pauses

Blinded

Blinded

Lonely road

They Crossed The Line

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Level Set

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Labels

Walls

I have learned that our humanity – the connection we have as human beings is the most powerful connection that we have. Too often though – we miss each other. We build walls around us to keep out the few – but lose the many. Is it judgment, fear, anger, and regret? Or is it the beliefs and biases we inherited from the narrative and culture that surrounds us? It’s time to focus on our shared bond of being human. What keeps us apart? Can you let “the other” in now?

Your Lens Never Expanded

Your Lens Never Expanded

Limits

Limits

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Looking Beyond

CanYouLetMeInNowImage

Can You Let Me In Now?

WeBuildWallsImage

We Build Walls

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All content has been developed by Shelly McNamara in her personal capacity and not on behalf of her employer, The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”). Any views or opinions are personal and belong solely to her, unless explicitly stated otherwise. To the extent that this site uses or publishes information relating to P&G’s business, Shelly has obtained the appropriate approvals to do so in accordance with P&G policy.