To Share, or Not to Share

I started sharing on LinkedIn almost exactly a year ago.? At first, I wasn't even sure why I was doing it.?

But it wasn't an impulsive decision. In a way, it was just the opposite.?

You see, a couple of years before, I had had a conversation with a longtime friend, who told me about her writing.? She spoke brightly of crafting insightful pieces, and her interest in sparking conversations.

I was skeptical.?

"Why do you feel like you need to do that?? What are you trying to achieve?"? I asked.?

"Don't you have many other things you should be doing?? Why add one more?"

My friend's answers and motivations were clear.? She found joy connecting with others through her writing.? She wanted to share her hard-won wisdom, and have conversations.? And maybe most of all, she simply really loves writing.

My friend asked me, "Don't you feel like you have something to say?"?

I thought about that for a long while.? And eventually I decided that yes, I do have things to say.? Quite a few things, apparently.?

And so, I shared.

I started writing about the specialness of the place where I work, the CFN at Brookhaven Lab.? It's a place where we're tasked to be excellent at nanoscience, so that we can serve our purpose of helping scientists from around the world achieve their research aspirations.?

The CFN suits me well — its very concept is idealistic.? I've been privileged to lead it— a place where we strive to be the best at what we do, and at the same time be eager to work together and help each other out — even people we haven't met yet.

It's this culture of service that’s the special ingredient for CFN. I mean, look — my ego is as big as anyone else's. (Likely bigger!)? We're all self-important, aren't we? Especially scientists. And the CFN counts on our staff being at the very top of their scientific fields.

But we're also tasked with putting our egos aside at times, so that we can serve others. Finding that balance is difficult, and it's what we're consistently striving for.? Maintaining the balance between self and service keeps us real.

I started writing about the exciting research advances being made every day in the CFN — by the incredibly smart staff members, and by talented scientists from all over the world who come to work with us.?

I write about why we should all be excited by these breakthroughs, trying to use words that everyone can understand — scientists, and non-scientists.? Because we should all get to share in the wonder of these amazing accomplishments.?

And everyone should get to feel the same optimism about the future — knowing that this research will make a better world for all of us.

I also started writing about what's on my mind.?? Sometimes that's science, but it could also be a story or memory, a question, or just something from my everyday life.

Too often, society sees scientists as different, and apart.? That's not good. And we don't do ourselves any favors, speaking in technical jargon to cultivate the image of an exclusive science club.

Because of course, scientists are human — just like everyone else. We experience emotions, harbor passions, and pursue outside, varied interests.? We have cherished families and friends.? We worry about everyday things, and the future. We have rich lives.

Some of the most important wisdom I've gained in my life so far has been to embrace my feelings and passions.? Because paying attention to both my brain and my heart has been instrumental to my best professional work, and also my being happiest and most satisfied in life.?

And so, I write about topics like my dog, my love of running, my fascination with the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest, my high school music teacher, and my fondness for Daniel Craig, James Bond movies.?

And lucky for you, I've got a lot more of those still to write. ;)

This excellent photo by Ian Schneider is available on unsplash.com

#NothingSpecial #nanoscience #CFNatBrookhaven #passion #wisdom Brookhaven National Laboratory