Growing ...

I have come to a few realizations as I explore more about myself and learn. I have been continuing to listen to Brene Brown and learn about vulnerability and shame. Realizing I really want to live a whole hearted life not this half assed-ness a lot of people do.

1. I think I see every negative comment and every thing that might be guilt embarrassment or harassment to someone else as shame. I take it not as I did something bad but I am bad. Experiencing this level of shame all the time keeps me from letting things go to actually grow. Time to fix that bad boy!

2. I have become an A+ at foreboding joy. Just when everything is going great I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I try to keep myself from thinking that way but I didn't have any tool with which to replace those thoughts. Finally I learned a little trick. Focus on what you are grateful for in moments of foreboding joy.

3. Fake it till you make it. I was really trying to work on being joyful and happy for a while. And I went with the fake it till you make it principle. If I keep trying to act happy eventually I will feel happy. Well I must have faked it long enough because between that and the fact that I have been doing some work I finally feel like I am getting to a place of happy.

Some great videos by Brene Brown at TEDx and TED:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psN1DORYYV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

I figure the only way to grow is to share my stories... so I share.