In this episode, I lighten things up a bit and talk about moments of untainted joy. I discuss the similarities and what I learned from reflecting on this.
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In this episode, I talk about my mom. Who and how she was, the heartaches, and what I learned from her. I talk about the gift she gave me. I also give you a paper and pen exercise that you can use to process thoughts and emotions from the past.
In this episode, I talk about my relationship with my Dad and what I learned about who I want to be in the world from him. This is the picture I referred to in this episode.
In this episode, I told a story about a time when I felt like my life and the life of my family was determined by one decision I didn’t make when I was 5 years old. Thirty years of shame persisted until I had a major realization that I share.
In this episode, I talk about several experiences I had with embarrassment. When we fear being embarrassed we limit ourselves and our lives. Let’s stop doing that.
In this episode, I talk about my relationship with my grandparents and tell several stories where I felt shame. I teach a little about what “shame-proof” means and how to do it.
Yesterday, I looked in the mirror and I thought, “It doesn’t match what I see on the inside.” For basically my whole life I’ve thought I was ugly. But yesterday I realized ‘ugly’ wasn’t the right word. I don’t know the word for it. It’s just what I SEE isn’t “right.” Maybe the problem is in my physical-ness. I could straighten those teeth (again), finally cure that rosacea, get the right haircut, do my eyebrows, etc, etc.
Or maybe (likely) the problem is in HOW I interpret the data coming in at me. That’s the work I’ve been doing for a while (3 years? 1 year? 15 years?) I no longer think I am ugly— we’ve come a long way from that, but I’m still not “satisfied” so to speak.
Maybe this journey will never be done, but I do know that I am on a mission to love myself fiercely in every way.
One thing I notice is my pretty recent craving for bigger earrings. {Do you like these new ones from Estes Park?} Sometimes I want bright red lipstick. Sometimes I think about dying streaks of red or purple in that virgin hair. I’m 40, and it’s not a mid-life crisis, but a mid-life awakening. All things that I *think* might close the gap between how I look and how I feel. Because every day that passes I feel more like a strong, powerful, confident, smart, leader and coach. Every day that passes I gain a stronger desire to be loud— in one way or another.
What do you think? Does my look match my vibe? How about for you?
I am practicing being grateful for the stuff that’s hard. The stuff we don’t normally give thanks for.
I give thanks that my mom died when I was 20. It shaped who I am today.
I give thanks for not having close relationships with my family of origin. It makes me even more grateful for the ones that are in my life daily. And it has forced me to create family by choice.
I give thanks for not being popular in school and having to face my own shame and disappointment consistently. That helped me figure out who I wanted to be.
I give thanks for not going to church when I was an older teen and young adult. It helped me see I really wanted to be there, and to return for the best reasons.
I give thanks for feeling depressed and lonely during the year we lived in Germany. It led me to life coaching and THAT is the best ever.
Our hearts–the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes– define who we are and determine what we will become.
David A. Bednar
You can totally reverse-engineer this one: who do you want to be? That will tell you what your desires, affections, intentions, motives and attitudes should be.
Tell us- what is one of these specifically you would like to develop in order to become the person you want to be?
Me? I want to develop my desire to be heard and seen for the benefit of others. I tend to believe that I don’t have much to add that is helpful. And I hide and stay small by default.
I have some stories to share about that, but for now, just ponder what you could decipher in yourself. And then come comment to make it a real intention.
If you need help figuring out who you want to be, I would love to help you. Download my free Starter Guide for a Shame-proof Life here.